Back in the Alpha's residence, the air was filled with the cold woody scent that Alex and I commonly used.

But tonight, I could clearly detect traces of Selina's sweet, cloying pheromones that had been deliberately concealed.


They lingered in Alex's study, declaring the presence of another woman.

Alex had gone to attend a spiritual meeting with Alphas from other territories.

I stood alone in the center of his study, staring at the memory crystal he had sealed with his Alpha power.


We had been married for five years, and I had never considered invading his privacy.

I had once naively believed in absolute trust between mates.


His password had always been our bonding anniversary.

I tried it, but the seal showed no reaction.

My fingers grew cold.

I remembered Selina's promotion.

Three months ago, Alex had promoted Selina, a born Omega, to Gamma warrior against the unanimous opposition of the elders.

He'd said: "She has potential. I saw it."

I had believed him.

Trembling, I entered that date into the crystal.

The seal opened.

From within the crystal, Alex's first-person memories rushed out.

In the projection, Selina was naked, kneeling on his desk in a seductive posture somewhere between human and wolf form.

"My Alpha," her mental whisper was thick with provocation, "do you like me like this?"

Alex's breathing was heavy.

"Turn around, Selina." His command was hoarse with desire.

"Let your tail show. Wag it for me."

Selina obeyed, her fluffy gray wolf tail sweeping across Alex's cheek in a pleasing manner.

"My Alpha... you're amazing..."

The scene began to shake violently.

Alex had grabbed her.

"Say my name, Selina."

"Alex... my Alpha..."

The scenes that followed were utterly degrading, each detail a knife to my dignity.

I forced myself to keep watching, unable to look away.

I needed to see clearly what kind of man I had married.

At the memory's end, Selina curled in Alex's arms like a satisfied cat.

"Alpha, when will you make that woman leave?"

"Soon." Alex stroked her back. "Her bloodline is still useful for securing my position. After my coronation, the Black Moon Pack will no longer need a human Luna."

So that was it.

To him, I was merely a tool. A tool with pure noble blood that could appease the elders and facilitate his rule.

All the blood in my body turned cold.

Just then, I noticed the background in the memory scene.

That moonlight waterfall...

I recognized it immediately.

That was supposed to be the sacred place where Alex and I would unite for the first time.

But at the time, he had told me: "That waterfall has been cursed by ancient powers, Ella. We cannot go there; it would taint our pure union."

I had been disappointed for a long time because of this.

He hadn't feared any curse; he had reserved that sacred place for his little wolf to frolic.

All the love, all the tenderness, became a cruel joke in that moment.

As I laughed bitterly, tears began to fall.

What was I to him, after all?

The study door opened.

Alex had finished his meeting. He walked in, loosening his tie.

"Still waiting for me?"

He came over, embraced me from behind, and pressed his lips to my neck.

"Perfect timing. The meeting was exhausting. You can help me relax."

His hand skillfully slipped inside my clothes.

When his warm palm touched my skin, a wave of visceral nausea made me push him away abruptly.

"Not tonight. I'm not feeling well." My voice was ice cold.

Alex's body froze.

He examined me scrutinizingly, his Alpha aura emanating unconsciously.

"Why are you avoiding me? Ella, what are you sulking about?"

"I'm not," I lowered my eyelids. "I'm just tired."

He stared at me for a long time, as if searching for some flaw in my expression.

In the end, he took a step back.

In matters of intimacy, he had never forced me—which had once made me believe it was respect.

Now I understood—he simply didn't need to.

Outside, more submissive and eager she-wolves waited for him.

"Then get some rest early," he turned toward the balcony. "I have matters to attend to."

I returned to the bedroom but felt no trace of sleepiness.

At midnight, I keenly sensed the fluctuation of a mental link coming from the balcony.

It was Alex.

He was communicating with Selina.

*...little slut, miss me?*

*My Alpha, I think about you every moment... when are you coming over? I've prepared a surprise for you...*

*After my coronation, I'll bring you to the main house. Then you can surprise me every day.*

*What about Ella?*

*A useless woman. I'll make her disappear gracefully.*

I lay in our shared bed, listening to my husband and another woman discussing how to make me "disappear."

Every bone in my body felt chilled.

I took out my phone and opened the email from the "Prophet's Library."

This time, without hesitation, I cut my fingertip and pressed a drop of blood onto the "Confirm Access" certificate.

The certificate instantly illuminated, transforming into a faint light that merged into my arm.

The contract was established.