Chapter 2 No.2

Over the past three years, we lived like any ordinary married couple. Every morning, I'd pick out a suit and tie for him, and we'd head to the office together.

In the evenings, Nathaniel always kept me updated on his schedule whenever he had social events. The usual pre-bedtime routine, the occasional bath together, and the nightly goodnight kiss-nothing was ever forgotten.

He celebrated our anniversary, Valentine's Day, and birthdays with gifts, never once missing any.

Anything I wanted, he gave me. Romance and ritual-he gave me all of it.

He did everything a perfect mate should do.

Even I thought this life would continue in bliss forever.

But then, when his first love returned, everything seemed to fall apart.

So, the voice of that girl on the phone yesterday... it must have been Isolde Thornfield, right? Had they already gotten in touch? Had they been together all month while he was away on business? Did they come back together yesterday? Was he with Isolde last night?

The thought of it made my heart turn to ice. Nathaniel was tearing my heart into pieces, slicing it open and leaving it bloody and raw.

"Seraphina, don't worry. Even if we're not mates anymore, you're always welcome to stay in the Silvermoon Crest Pack. You'll be protected and loved by the pack. You're the sister I care about most."

Sister?

We swore our vows as mates before the Lunar Goddess. We shared a bed for three years. Now we're reduced to siblings?

How could I accept this?

"We'll talk about it later," I muttered, forcing a self-deprecating smile, lowering my gaze to avoid his eyes.

Nathaniel reached up to adjust his collar, his gaze dark and intense as he looked at me. "By the way, what were you going to say earlier?"

I casually flipped through the documents in my hands, offering him a faint smile. "It's nothing. Just the product launch plans for the company. There was an issue I wanted to discuss with you, but I've figured out a solution on my own."

The news of my pregnancy no longer seemed worth mentioning.

"Alright, you've worked hard."

As his Luna, Nathaniel had no doubts about my abilities. My academic reputation, combined with the experience I gained starting at sixteen when I worked alongside Old Alpha Magnus Blackwood and Old Luna Freya Ashcroft, handling business matters for the Silvermoon Crest Pack, earned me the pack's respect quickly. Every product I designed, whether jewelry, clothing, or electronics, sold out instantly.

"It's nothing. I'll head to the office now."

Taking a deep breath, I turned around, maintaining a calm air with every step, careful not to let my composure slip.

"Let's go together." Nathaniel said, before heading upstairs to change.

I paused, a sharp ache rising in my throat, my eyes burning as they filled with tears.

How could he be so calm after proposing to end our mate bond? How could he invite me to the office as if nothing had changed?

Was it true then? Had he never loved me at all? Was there not even a little pain from losing me?

I didn't respond to him, quickly walking away as if fleeing. I was terrified-terrified that I might lose control and break down in front of Nathaniel.

No, I couldn't!

Perhaps after the night we were framed, he had agreed to be my mate only because Magnus Blackwood had asked him to.

But Little Howler, I'm sorry. From now on, you'll only have me.

...

By the time I reached the garage, I opened the driver's side door and sat down, feeling utterly drained. I had no energy left to start the car.

I opened my phone and looked at our old chat history. It was so full of love. Just a month ago, Nathaniel had told me he hoped we would have a pup-one who could ride on his shoulders while we watched the stars together.

"Pa-"

A tear fell onto the screen, reflecting a rainbow of colors.

I clutched my phone, my chest tightening with a pain that left me gasping for air.

"Luna?" Driver Rowan's voice echoed from the garage as he approached, noticing my car still parked. His tone was puzzled.

I quickly wiped away my tears, pretending I hadn't heard him, and started the car, pulling away in haste.

I couldn't let my personal feelings interfere with my work. For now, all I could do was throw myself into the tasks ahead to distract myself.

I found Nathaniel's email, attached the project plan, and hit send.

It didn't take long for Nathaniel to reply: I have something tonight. You can head back first.

That "something" was likely time spent with Isolde.

Nathaniel: I brought you a gift while I was on my business trip. I forgot to give it to you; it's in my suitcase. You can grab it yourself.

Seraphina: Okay.

After finishing my work for the day, I headed down to the underground parking lot. As I was fastening my seatbelt and getting ready to start the car, I saw two figures.

Nathaniel was dressed in the gray suit I'd picked out for him that morning, the fabric hugging his tall, strong frame.

Beside him stood a woman, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, her arm intimately linked with his. She tilted her head back, speaking to Nathaniel, who slightly turned his head to listen attentively, his expression soft and gentle.

The woman must have been saying something, as she playfully shook his arm.

Nathaniel smiled softly, nodding in response, his lips forming the word "Okay."

Isolde Thornfield-his first love-had truly come back.

The bright red-striped tie stabbed at my eyes-and my heart.

It was the tie I'd picked out for him to celebrate our three years of waiting for Little Howler.

And now, he was wearing it on a date with his first love.

A lump formed in my throat, and my vision blurred with tears. A bitterness like I'd never known surged in my chest.

I had never seen Nathaniel so tender, so warm. In our three years of marriage, his affection for me had always been distant, faint.

I often told myself that was just his nature.

But the more I repeated that lie, the more I started to believe it.

Now, I saw that he was capable of tenderness-he had simply given it to another woman.

They passed by my car, and Nathaniel didn't even notice it was his wife's vehicle.