When I woke, I saw the snow-white ceiling of the infirmary.

The bite wound on my ankle had been treated and neatly bandaged.


The pack doctor, an elderly werewolf, stood by my bed with a complicated expression.

"Lady Luna, you're awake."

"How did I end up here?" My memories were somewhat confused.


"You fainted due to extreme emotional distress and blood loss," the doctor answered, pausing before handing me a report. "And also... congratulations, you're pregnant."

My mind went completely blank.


"You're carrying an Alpha bloodline, almost a month along now. It's a pure-blooded descendant that appears once in a century."

Pregnant?

My fingers clenched the bedsheet beneath me.

A month ago, this news would have been my entire world.

Alex and I had desperately wanted a child.

We had tried for years, with no results.

But now, just as I was preparing to give up everything and cut all ties, this child arrived.

I took the report, staring at the small, blurry spot on it.

That was my child.

The only true warmth that belonged to me in this cold, dirty world.

I couldn't let my baby stay here.

I couldn't let my child be born into such an environment of betrayal and lies.

"Doctor," I grabbed his arm, pleading with all my strength, "please keep this a secret temporarily. Don't tell anyone, especially the Alpha."

The doctor hesitated.

"But, a pure-blood descendant is the hope of the entire pack..."

"That's exactly why I want to protect my child!" My voice trembled. "Alex... he won't be a good father. Please, I want to give him a 'surprise' myself."

The doctor saw the determination in my eyes and finally nodded.

"Very well, Lady Luna. I will keep your secret."

Shortly after he left, Alex rushed in.

He looked disheveled, with a trace of panic on his face.

"Ella! You scared me to death!" He lunged to the bedside, grabbing my hand so tightly it hurt. "What did you mean by what you said? What do you mean you don't want me anymore? Are you leaving me?"

His eyes were reddened, like a large abandoned dog.

"You know I can't live without you. I swear, I won't let you leave!"

I looked at him—this man who one moment was having an affair with another woman, and the next could perform deep affection before me.

With my free hand, I gently caressed his cheek.

"I only leave those who betray me." I asked clearly, word by word, "Have you betrayed me, Alex?"

His body instantly stiffened.

A hint of panic flashed across his face but was quickly concealed.

"No! Of course not! Ella, how could I betray you? I swear by the Ancient Wolf God, I love only you!"

His oath sounded so sweet, so sincere.

Unfortunately, I would never believe it again.

I gave him a smile—a smile cold to the extreme.

"Then what are you afraid of? I'm not going anywhere."

An expression of relief instantly appeared on his face.

He held me tightly in his arms, as if wanting to knead me into his flesh and blood.

"I knew it, you were just throwing a tantrum. I knew you couldn't bear to leave me."

At that moment, there was a commotion at the door.

Selina walked in carrying a bouquet of flowers, wearing an expression of "concern" on her face.

"Lady Luna, I heard you fainted. I was so worried." She placed the flowers on the bedside table, her voice deliberately pitiful. "I wanted to come earlier, but... Alex was too wild last night. I could barely get out of bed this morning."

Every word she spoke was filled with boasting and provocation.

"He's always like this, unable to control himself. He wants me every moment of the day."

She deliberately loosened her collar, revealing a fresh, possessive Alpha bite mark on her neck.

"Does Alex treat you the same way, sister?" she asked innocently.

I calmly met her gaze.

"He respects me. He never hurts me, nor does he turn me into someone people whisper about behind closed doors."

Selina's face instantly flushed.

"Stop pretending! You clearly know everything!"

"Ella!"

Alex roared in anger, rushed over, and pushed Selina away with one hand.

"Who let you in? Get out! Get out now!"

Selina's tears immediately welled up. She covered her face and ran away dramatically.

Alex's chest heaved violently.

He looked back at me with complicated eyes.

"I hope she's okay," I said deliberately in a concerned tone.

His expression darkened.

"She's not as important as you. But mother likes her very much. I should check on her. Wait for me here."

He turned and rushed out after her.

Less than thirty seconds after he left, I pulled the IV from my hand and silently followed him.

At the corner of the hallway, I saw him.

Alex had the crying Selina pinned against the wall.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from Ella?" he growled.

Selina, while crying, stood on her tiptoes and forcefully pressed her lips against his.

Alex struggled briefly but ultimately melted into the kiss.

His hand slid down, firmly gripping her waist.

I turned and walked back to the infirmary.

As it turned out, his "nothing is more important than you" was just empty words.