Ari and his grandfather were having a lot of fun.When we got out of the helicopter, we saw a huge crowd of people standing at the hospital door. They were made out of doctors and nurses who were standing by.Ari was out of danger after the surgery thanks to the best doctors and medicine.He was able to walk after one week.My father reconstructed the huge garden in the hospital into a children's park. There were swings, small trains, and a merry-go-round. Everything was there.He handed Heavenly Wolf Pack's authority over to me. "I'm old now. I should have retired sooner to accompany my grandson. It's time you took over all the work."I quickly rejected his offer. "Ari is still in the hospital. I have to take care of him.""Isn't it enough with me around?" My father glared at me. "Hmph! Getting busy will stop you from harboring wild thoughts. I don't want to see you wiping away your tears secretly."I knew my father was worried that I did not mean it when I said I no longer lo
Rook's entire body stiffened.This thought had never occurred to him before.Sera was always telling him that a child born after eight months could not be his.It convinced him that Rhea was easy and promiscuous, and he believed her without bothering to verify it. This was supposed to be a lie that could easily be exposed.Rook was at a loss. He could hardly stand. "That would mean I was wrong about her…"Rhea had taken care of Moon Shadow Territory for more than a thousand days. She had brought up Ari on her own and took care of everything for him.The territory had faced several sudden crises that Rhea had resolved calmly. Even Rook was impressed.She had sacrificed too much.However, he was unable to forgive her for drugging him and giving birth to another man's son, and all he wanted was to punish her even more.Was it because his feelings for her had gotten stronger?It felt like there was a big, airy hole on his chest with wind blowing through it.He felt pain for th
Rook suddenly appeared in front of me and Ari one afternoon.What a surprise.His chin had stubble, and he had dark rings below his eyes. Even his usually tidy collar was a mess. He looked like he had not slept for days.When Rook spoke, he sounded hoarse."Rhea, I'm sorry. I was wrong.”"Ari, can I hug you?"He reached out to Ari.However, Ari, who had received so much love during this time, quickly hid behind me."I don't like you."The look in Rook's eyes dimmed. He suddenly bent his knees and knelt in front of me."Can you give me another chance, Rhea? I know I've hurt you before and believed that Ari was someone else's child. I was so stupid!”"It's only now that I realize I've always loved you. It's because I care too much about you that I can't bear the thought of you having a child with someone else.”"If you're willing to come home, I promise to love you properly. The three of us can live our days happily."Rook humbly said nice things to me. He had done this in m
I picked up my son at the end of Family Day.He was supposed to jump happily into my arms, but instead, I held a sobbing boy."Mommy, do I have a daddy?"Ari's voice trembled as he asked, his tear-streaked face red and swollen. I had never seen him cry like this before."Daddy came to Family Day today. I wanted to sit with him, but he pushed me away. He said he was Anna's daddy.”Ari's sobs grew louder. "My classmates said I don't have a daddy. They said you found me in the dump."Children passing by cast mocking glances at Ari, their expressions cruel. Ari clung to me, burying his face in my shoulder as his cries echoed around us.I held him tightly, my heart aching at his pain. I wanted to comfort him, but the memory of Rook's cold, detached expression surfaced in my mind, cutting through my thoughts like a blade.Three years had passed since I started raising Ari alone in Moon Shadow Territory. When the Beta soldiers told me their Alpha was returning, I was overjoyed. I thou
I was young and ignorant then. I only knew the sweetness of love, unaware of the bitterness it could bring.The witch drugged Rook back then and locked us up in the same room. It was then I realized how far things had spiraled beyond my control.I pounded on the door in panic, my voice trembling with anger. "No! I don’t want to force Rook into anything. He’ll hate me for this!"The witch cackled eerily. "Silly girl, you’re destined to be together. He likes you too. Once tonight is a success, he’ll marry you."I broke the door's handle in anger, but the witch had placed a spell on the room. There was no way for us to get out. Things took a turn for the worse when I started to feel my body burn up."How dare you drug me too?!""Of course, I have to drug you, babe. Enjoy your night!"It was too late. Rook’s body radiated heat like a furnace, his breathing heavy and uneven. His glowing eyes reflected the wildness of a beast under the moonlight. He pushed me down, but he did not mark
I was taken aback. For a moment, I thought I must have misheard him. "What did you just say?"Rook’s tone remained indifferent, as if his request was the most natural thing in the world. "This room is large, and Anna likes it. Hand it over to her immediately."A bitter laugh escaped my lips."May I remind you, Rook, that Ari is your son? Do you have any idea what Anna said to him today? She…""That's enough!" Rook interrupted me. His expression was grim. "Is Ari really my son?! We had only been together eight months before he was born, Rhea. Are you trying to lie to yourself after lying to me?"I staggered back, his words hitting me like a physical blow. "Is that what you think of Ari?"He did not flinch. "And Anna is my daughter with Sera. You will treat her well. Whenever Anna is present, Ari will address me as 'Uncle.'""I agreed to marry you for the sake of peace between our packs and to make you my Luna. But my love belongs to Sera alone. You should know that you owe me for
Anna's chin was lifted high with pride. She stood arrogantly with her hands to her waist. She gave Ari a hard push."That's my daddy! Hmph! Everyone says you're a bastard. You have no right to call him 'Daddy'!"Ari was not prepared for this. He fell hard on his butt and cried from the pain.I ran over anxiously to Ari. I helped him up from the floor and stared coldly at Anna."Apologize."Before my princess bloodline boiled, Sera lunged forward. She cried and knelt on the ground like a frail, little flower. "Princess Rhea, I'm begging you. Please don't hurt Anna…""Rhea! Why are you yelling at a child?" Rook frowned while quickly pulling Anna into his arms. "Didn't I tell you yesterday to tell Ari to call me 'Uncle' whenever Anna is around?"I looked up and into his raging eyes. "Anna was the one who pushed Ari.""Anna was just in a hurry to get Ari to move out. She didn't push him on purpose."I scoffed."Are you blind? Didn't you see her push him on purpose?""Watch your
"Stop with your pitiful, little tricks, Rhea."Rook turned back and gave me that familiar taunting smile he always threw at me."There's a limit to my patience. Don't test me by using this threat on me. I'm the one who's been tolerating this relationship.”I clenched my fists. "I'm serious.""As you wish."He strode out the door without bothering to look back.Sera smiled but quickly hid it. She turned around gracefully to apologize to me."I'm so sorry, Princess Rhea. It's my fault for bringing Anna back and depending on Rook for everything. I've caused so much trouble between you, but don't worry. There's nothing between us. We have an innocent relationship. We're just good friends…" Sera might be giving me an apology but her expression said otherwise. She was flaunting her good fortune. She even had the gall to promise to buy a new wooden sword as compensation to Ari.Rook had Anna in his arms while calling out with a tenderness that I had never seen in him before. "Let's
Rook suddenly appeared in front of me and Ari one afternoon.What a surprise.His chin had stubble, and he had dark rings below his eyes. Even his usually tidy collar was a mess. He looked like he had not slept for days.When Rook spoke, he sounded hoarse."Rhea, I'm sorry. I was wrong.”"Ari, can I hug you?"He reached out to Ari.However, Ari, who had received so much love during this time, quickly hid behind me."I don't like you."The look in Rook's eyes dimmed. He suddenly bent his knees and knelt in front of me."Can you give me another chance, Rhea? I know I've hurt you before and believed that Ari was someone else's child. I was so stupid!”"It's only now that I realize I've always loved you. It's because I care too much about you that I can't bear the thought of you having a child with someone else.”"If you're willing to come home, I promise to love you properly. The three of us can live our days happily."Rook humbly said nice things to me. He had done this in m
Rook's entire body stiffened.This thought had never occurred to him before.Sera was always telling him that a child born after eight months could not be his.It convinced him that Rhea was easy and promiscuous, and he believed her without bothering to verify it. This was supposed to be a lie that could easily be exposed.Rook was at a loss. He could hardly stand. "That would mean I was wrong about her…"Rhea had taken care of Moon Shadow Territory for more than a thousand days. She had brought up Ari on her own and took care of everything for him.The territory had faced several sudden crises that Rhea had resolved calmly. Even Rook was impressed.She had sacrificed too much.However, he was unable to forgive her for drugging him and giving birth to another man's son, and all he wanted was to punish her even more.Was it because his feelings for her had gotten stronger?It felt like there was a big, airy hole on his chest with wind blowing through it.He felt pain for th
Ari and his grandfather were having a lot of fun.When we got out of the helicopter, we saw a huge crowd of people standing at the hospital door. They were made out of doctors and nurses who were standing by.Ari was out of danger after the surgery thanks to the best doctors and medicine.He was able to walk after one week.My father reconstructed the huge garden in the hospital into a children's park. There were swings, small trains, and a merry-go-round. Everything was there.He handed Heavenly Wolf Pack's authority over to me. "I'm old now. I should have retired sooner to accompany my grandson. It's time you took over all the work."I quickly rejected his offer. "Ari is still in the hospital. I have to take care of him.""Isn't it enough with me around?" My father glared at me. "Hmph! Getting busy will stop you from harboring wild thoughts. I don't want to see you wiping away your tears secretly."I knew my father was worried that I did not mean it when I said I no longer lo
"I…" Sera thought quickly. She got the reporters and nurses to leave immediately. "I thought you were the one who called the reporters here."Rook frowned. "I don't like making my personal matters public.""I'm sorry. I won't say anything to them in the future."Sera lowered her head. She apologized timidly like a scared rabbit, and Rook's heart softened."It's fine. It's not your fault.”"But why would you lie to Rhea and say that I gave you jewelry that was exclusive to my Luna?"Sera jumped. Her cheeks turned red, and she started to tear up. Her eyes were like the bright surface of a lake in Summer."It's because I love you too much! I've never stopped loving you, Rook. I pretended you gave me the jewelry but didn't expect to be misunderstood…”"If Rhea is bothered by it, I'll explain things to her."Rook rubbed between his eyes and shook his head.Sera had given him a daughter. He could not be too harsh to her.She smiled in delight.Sera knew Rook too well.He was use
The surgery was a success. Ari was out of danger but needed to rest and recuperate for a while.I could finally stop worrying.As I had left in a hurry, I did not manage to finish tying up loose ends at Moon Shadow Pack. I instructed the steward to hurry up and pack up my things.The next day, Rook woke up exhausted at the hospital.Anna's leg wound had been treated, but breakfast was taking a long time to arrive.Rook took out his phone to send me a message but realized I had blocked his number.Could something be wrong with the network? Rook was not bothered about it. If the message failed to be delivered, I would call him to arrange his daily necessities.He checked his cellphone logs, but they came up empty. There were no missed calls.The last sentence I said to him was, "Ari is hurt.".Rook felt his heart skip a beat. He thought that it was just a tactic I used to catch his attention. Could I be telling the truth?He hurried home before Sera and Anna woke up.When he e
I lied to him, "Construction agreement."Moon Shadow Pack's internal affairs had always been managed by me. Whenever something needed to be signed by Rook, I would lighten his burden by solving the issue first and get someone to bring him the contract after.Rook had gotten used to signing documents from me.He had no idea that this was a contract to break the engagement.It would all end today.I gathered the pack elders of Moon Shadow Pack to the Holy Site. The Moon Goddess' statue smiled as always.An elder was curious. "Why isn't Rook here, Rhea?""He's busy with Sera. He can't make it." I raised the document in my hand. "But he has signed the contract to break the engagement.""But, Rhea, can't you reconsider this? We all know how much you love Rook. You might still have a chance at reconciling…""No. We've talked about it."The elders checked the contract and verified it.Rook and I were no longer related under the witness of the Moon Goddess.It was a burden off my s
I could tell that Sera was just trying to goad me into leaving.It was unnecessary. I was planning on leaving anyway."Congratulations on successfully recycling garbage."I called the steward over and instructed him to send people over to help me pack up. Every item belonging to Heavenly Wolf Pack was coming with me.After that, I called my father on the phone with trepidation.When he found out I used half of my life in a deal with the witch three years ago, he was furious. He said he should never have given birth to someone as stupid as me.After that, he kicked me out with a bunch of servants and financial assets. He did not even attend my engagement party.He had brought me up, and I failed him. I could only send gifts and wishes to him during important festivities, but I could never work up the courage to see him."Dad…"I choked back a sob the moment I spoke.My father paused before suddenly yelling at me really loudly, "What's with the crying?! An Alpha's daughter only
"Stop with your pitiful, little tricks, Rhea."Rook turned back and gave me that familiar taunting smile he always threw at me."There's a limit to my patience. Don't test me by using this threat on me. I'm the one who's been tolerating this relationship.”I clenched my fists. "I'm serious.""As you wish."He strode out the door without bothering to look back.Sera smiled but quickly hid it. She turned around gracefully to apologize to me."I'm so sorry, Princess Rhea. It's my fault for bringing Anna back and depending on Rook for everything. I've caused so much trouble between you, but don't worry. There's nothing between us. We have an innocent relationship. We're just good friends…" Sera might be giving me an apology but her expression said otherwise. She was flaunting her good fortune. She even had the gall to promise to buy a new wooden sword as compensation to Ari.Rook had Anna in his arms while calling out with a tenderness that I had never seen in him before. "Let's
Anna's chin was lifted high with pride. She stood arrogantly with her hands to her waist. She gave Ari a hard push."That's my daddy! Hmph! Everyone says you're a bastard. You have no right to call him 'Daddy'!"Ari was not prepared for this. He fell hard on his butt and cried from the pain.I ran over anxiously to Ari. I helped him up from the floor and stared coldly at Anna."Apologize."Before my princess bloodline boiled, Sera lunged forward. She cried and knelt on the ground like a frail, little flower. "Princess Rhea, I'm begging you. Please don't hurt Anna…""Rhea! Why are you yelling at a child?" Rook frowned while quickly pulling Anna into his arms. "Didn't I tell you yesterday to tell Ari to call me 'Uncle' whenever Anna is around?"I looked up and into his raging eyes. "Anna was the one who pushed Ari.""Anna was just in a hurry to get Ari to move out. She didn't push him on purpose."I scoffed."Are you blind? Didn't you see her push him on purpose?""Watch your