Chapter 2

In the Alpha’s private quarters, separated by just one wall, Lucas's voice was laced with regret.

"Since I couldn’t be her destined mate, exchanging Emma’s mother’s life force for Sarah’s mother’s survival was the only thing I could do for her."

"As for Emma... I have given her my mark and a lifetime of protection. That should be enough."

His Beta, Marcus, who had grown up with him, looked troubled.

"It’s a shame that Sarah still doesn’t know what you sacrificed for her. That was a werewolf’s life, Lucas!"

"If the Moon Goddess discovers that you went against her will, your wolf soul will never rest in peace. Is it really worth it for a woman who isn’t your fated mate?"

"Whether it is or not, I’ve made my decision."

"As long as she’s happy, I’m willing to pay any price. Not just Emma’s mother’s life force—even if it were my own, I wouldn’t hesitate."

"Enough. Let’s not speak of this again. It’s in the past. As long as she’s living well in the Silver Moon Pack, that’s all that matters."

"And what about Emma? She seems to truly believe you’re her fated mate. What if one day she discovers the truth about her mother’s sacrifice—"

Silence filled the room as Alpha Lucas exuded the scent of smoldering sorrow.

Amid the bitter atmosphere, he let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Then let the Moon Goddess punish me. The status and protection I’ve given her in my pack should be enough for her to live peacefully for the rest of her life."

"Sigh… I really don’t understand you. Why do you insist on this?"

"Emma is a kind Omega, and yet you keep holding onto... Never mind. Do whatever you think is right."

Hearing their approaching footsteps, I hurriedly retreated to my quarters.

The herbal coffee in my hands spilled onto my skin, but I didn’t even feel the heat.

So… my mother hadn’t died because the healing ritual failed.

She had died in a dark sacrifice made for Sarah’s sake.

Back then, when Alexander abandoned me, I became the laughingstock of the entire werewolf community.

Lucas's proposal had never been about giving me happiness. It was his final act of cruelty.

These years of companionship had been nothing more than pity born from guilt.

And yet, I had naively believed I had found my true mate, flaunting my so-called happiness for all to see.

How ridiculous.

The sound of a door closing signaled Marcus’s departure.

Alpha Lucas stumbled into the room, gently cupping my face and pressing a remorseful kiss to my forehead.

His eyes were laced with the haze of alcohol, filled with tenderness as he gazed at me.

"Why are you standing here?"

"Nothing. I just spilled my herbal coffee. I was about to clean it up."

"Leave it to the Omegas. You’re not in good health, and I don’t want you overexerting yourself."

He kissed me again, his touch as gentle as ever.

But I no longer felt the warmth of his scent.

An Alpha who could go to such lengths for a woman who wasn’t even his Luna...

As I closed my eyes, tears fell silently.

He guided me to my bed and pulled a fur blanket over me.

Drunk on moonlight wine, he soon fell asleep.

Sitting beside him, I gently touched his Memory Crystal.

A mere trace of my breath was enough to activate it, revealing the passphrase he had set: Sarah’s coming-of-age ceremony date.

I scrolled through years of treaties signed between him and the Silver Moon Pack.

Each one favored the pack Sarah resided in.

Though I rarely interfered in pack affairs, even I could see how much he had sacrificed for her at the expense of the Black Forest Pack.

The alliance ceremony was held at Sarah’s favorite Moonlit Lake.

The hunting grounds were chosen in her beloved Silver Pine Forest.

Even the number of offerings made during rituals aligned with important dates in Sarah’s life—her coming-of-age ceremony, the day she became the Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, the moment she first met Alpha Lucas.

My fingers trembled as I accessed his most treasured memories stored in the crystal.

Every single one was of Sarah’s smile.

In every image, she was either attending a ceremony as the Luna of Silver Moon or standing beside Alexander, leading the full moon festival.

Lucas had erased all traces of Alexander, leaving only Sarah in those moments.

A thousand recordings—five years of devotion, meticulously stored away.

Not only that, but there were countless records of sacred relics he had purchased from the Moonlight Market.

Each one was given to Sarah under the guise of strengthening the alliance between their packs.

His love, hidden yet scorching, was woven into every detail.

It pierced my heart like a dagger.

I had seen similar relics before.

But what I had received were nothing more than common trinkets passed off as personal gifts.

I had believed him.

I had believed it all.