Chapter 2

I stopped Caden because I knew it would be of no use to inform or argue with him.

He would probably think I was scheming again, trying to win him back.

Three years ago, a group of rogues attacked Drake’s Silver Moon Pack.

My father and I happened to encounter him. Seeing the need to help him, we led our soldiers to join the fight.

During the fight, Drake was severely injured while saving his Beta.

My father and I brought the unconscious and wounded Drake to our pack.

I was responsible for taking care of him. Over nearly a month, I gradually fell in love with this handsome and courageous man.

Before Drake left, my father held a celebration banquet in his honor.

That night, maybe because of the beauty of the moonlight or the influence of alcohol, Drake and I ended up having sex.

“Aeris, I love you…” Though he was making love to me, he was calling another woman’s name.

It was only then I realized he already had someone he loved.

But my infatuation with him led me to a selfish decision—I didn’t wake him up or push him away.

I thought of having him for one night. Tomorrow, anyway, he would be gone.

I had no intention of being a homewrecker, but a few days later, Aeris herself came knocking at our place.

“I’m Drake’s mate.” She said to my father. “I know what happened between Lyra and Drake. Give me ten million, I’ll give Drake to Lyra. And never come back.”

My parents, who had seen my feelings for Drake, agreed to her request instantly.

After Aeris left, my parents leveraged funding for Silver Moon Pack’s reconstruction to persuade Drake to marry me.

Because I loved him so much, I accepted my parents’ arrangement.

I thought I could make him forget Aeris and fall in love with me over time.

But my passion never reached Drake’s heart.

He believed I had deliberately gotten him drunk and tricked him into bed.

He believed I had forced Aeris to leave him by pressuring my parents.

He believed I had blackmailed him with Silver Moon Pack’s reconstruction to force him into marriage.

“You went to such lengths and did so many despicable things just to have me? Fine, I’ll give you what you want.”

On our wedding night, he tore my clothes and possessed me like a beast.

But there wasn’t a shred of love—but only cruel revenge.

In the three years that followed, I was only his wife and mate in name. There was no love but just hate for me.

I tried to explain to him from time to time, but he dismissed everything as another lie.

Eventually, I stopped pouring all my energy into him.

I focused on my duties as Luna and devoted myself to the Silver Moon Pack’s development.

Helping homeless children, supporting elderly wolves without family, and assisting injured soldiers.

Caden, Drake’s younger brother, was very supportive of my work. After graduating from university, he became my trusted assistant.

Caden knew how poorly Drake treated me and often felt guilty about it.

“You’ve done so much for my brother. I’m sure he’ll understand someday,” he said.

“But I don’t think I’ll live to see that day,” I replied sadly.

“I don’t think so.” The doctor intervened, stepping inside. “I’ve contacted doctors from all the werewolf hospitals. They’re working on identifying the wolfsbane,” He placed some painkillers on my bedside table. “For now, you need to focus on nutrition.”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll get it for you,” Caden offered as he stood up.

“Anything will be fine.”

By noon, Caden had brought me lunch, and just as I finished having it, I received a call from Drake.

“Put it on the speaker.” Caden said, and I nodded.

“Where are you? Move all your stuff out of the villa today. Aeris is moving in.” Drake’s cold voice breaks through the phone.