Chapter 2

Gavin’s expression turned cold, his voice laced with venom.

“Chloe,” he sneered, “I never realized you were so damn selfish. Always thinking about yourself. Never about your family.”

The accusation hit me like a slap—but it didn’t stop there.

My father immediately chimed in, ganging up on me like they’d rehearsed this script a thousand times. Their words were sharp, twisted, spinning lies until I looked like the villain in my own story.

I stared at the faces that once called me daughter, wife. The same faces that now glared at me with disgust.

Tears welled up, blurring my vision. But not from guilt.

From remembrance.

Because the truth was, I was never really their daughter. Not the way Cora was.

Growing up, she got the warm smiles, the new dresses, the hot meals. Me? I wore her torn hand-me-downs. I ate whatever was left over, cold and stale.

Eventually, I stopped asking for more. Stopped hoping for anything better. I convinced myself I didn’t deserve it.

Then Gavin showed up.

Charming. Persistent. He made me feel wanted—seen. He bought me gifts, whispered that I was special, the only one he wanted. And like a fool starving for affection, I believed him.

I even turned down a rare scholarship to the prestigious Sun Pack Academy—just to stay behind and clean up my father’s dying pack. For Gavin. For my family.

I poured everything into rebuilding the Silver Moon Pack from the ashes. Day after day, I negotiated with neighboring Alphas.

Night after night, I burned through midnight oil solving disputes, drawing up strategies, fighting tooth and claw to make us stable again.

Gavin didn’t just stand by. No, he insisted on holding a title—Alpha. He said he couldn’t bear being seen as weak or dependent. I let him have it.

My parents? They never once acknowledged my effort. Instead, they demanded I give Cora a high-ranking position in the new structure. I wanted to scream, but in the end, I gave in. Like always.

Despite the hardship, I built something out of nothing. Gavin and I eventually married. And one year later, I gave birth to a son—our son.

I remember the moment they placed him in my arms. He was so small, so warm. For a fleeting second, I thought it had all been worth it.

But happiness, in my world, never stayed for long.

When our son was three, Gavin went out drinking with his warrior friends. Somewhere between shots and ego, he lost control—shifted into his wolf and ripped a merchant apart in a drunken frenzy.

By the time I heard what had happened, both sets of parents were already waiting—eyes red, voices trembling.

“Chloe, please,” my mother sobbed, clutching my hands. “The child is still young. He can’t grow up without a father.”

“Let Cora care for him while you’re gone,” my father added. “She looks exactly like you. When you return, he’ll never know the difference.”

I stood frozen.

Gavin, finally sobered, stood at the nursery door, staring at our sleeping son with hollow eyes. He looked like he was about to turn himself in.

But they wouldn’t let him.

They held him back like he was some national treasure, something too precious to lose—and I was the expendable one.

“Chloe, we’re begging you,” they said.

And my son... my son began to cry in his sleep, soft whimpers that cracked my resolve like glass.

I looked at Gavin’s guilt-ridden face, at the people who were supposed to love me, and something inside me broke.

I didn’t say a word.

I just turned away, grabbed my cloak, and walked to the door.

Behind me, Gavin's desperate voice rang out, echoing through the house and slicing straight into my heart:

“Wife! I, Alpha Gavin, swear on the Moon Goddess—if I ever betray you, may a silver blade pierce my heart and may I never know peace!”

I paused—but only for a heartbeat.

Because deep down, I already knew…He would.