Chapter 3 My pain, his pleasure

"Her condition isn’t hereditary, so her offspring wouldn’t inherit it," Ezekiel finally said, leaving Alyssa frozen in place.

Emma’s mouth hung open in shock.

This was the second time today he had defended her.

For a moment, hope flickered in Alyssa’s heart, and blood began to flow through her veins again. Her pup was accepted—or so she thought.

But Ezekiel’s voice, cold as ice, shattered her heart once more.

"But I would never let a weak, wolf-less omega like her bear my child. Never."

His gaze landed on her, then shifted away in disgust.

Emma burst into laughter, and the surrounding werewolves joined in.

Alyssa’s legs turned to jelly, and she stumbled back a step before fleeing the room.

She couldn’t remember how she escaped that suffocating space. Once outside, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. No matter how hard she wiped, they wouldn’t stop.

The pain was unbearable. She clutched her chest. Was there any reason left to stay by Ezekiel’s side? No. His words had crushed the last shred of hope she had.

She would never tell him about her pregnancy.

Back in her room, she placed her hand on her abdomen. She had to plan her escape from the Moon Stone Keepers pack—for her pup’s sake.

But how? She was a mute without a wolf. Would any pack accept her?

In the darkness, her phone buzzed. It was a message from her best friend and coworker, Lily, a member of the Grim Hunters pack. Their territory wasn’t in this city, but when Lily had arrived here, Alyssa had helped her settle in, and they had become friends.

Almost all the wolves from different packs worked together outside the pack grounds.

"Hey, honey! I’ve created a new coffee flavor. Make sure you come to the shop early tomorrow. I almost died from exhaustion yesterday without you. Love you!"

Alyssa wiped away her tears, a firm resolve forming in her heart. She wanted a divorce. She wanted to leave the pack. She decided to join Lily’s pack—it was the only hope she had left.

She didn’t remember how she got through the night. Ezekiel didn’t even come home. Had he gone to Cindy’s place?

No! She couldn’t think about him anymore!

She had to focus on her work. For her pup, she had to work hard! She couldn’t burden Lily.

The next day, outside the café.

She looked up at the large café sign and forced a smile. Heaven Café was the only place where she could forget her troubles. She remembered Ezekiel’s reaction when she told him she had found a job.

"As long as you don’t tell anyone you’re the Luna of the Moon Stone Keepers pack, do whatever you want."

Alyssa shook her head, pushing Ezekiel’s cold face out of her mind. She pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Alyssa!!" Lily’s voice rang out as soon as she entered. Her smile widened as she saw Lily approaching with open arms.

"I missed you so much," Lily said, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Really? I was only gone for a day," Alyssa signed, and Lily immediately understood. Lily was a beautiful and caring woman. Though not much older than Alyssa, she treated her like a sister.

She had even learned sign language for Alyssa. Though not fluent, she tried her best to understand.

"One day?? Felt like forever. Do you know how hard it was running this café alone yesterday?" Lily grumbled.

"So you didn’t miss me, just my work?" Alyssa joked, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"You got me."

"Well, I’m back now, so you won’t have to miss my service anymore," Alyssa signed, playing along with the joke. They both laughed.

Alyssa was grateful she had insisted on working. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have found the strength to keep going. Lily’s warmth and energy always comforted her. She loved it here. But she also needed to discuss her plans with Lily—she wanted to join her pack.

As Lily had predicted, the new coffee flavor made the shop busier than ever. Alyssa hadn’t had a chance to share her thoughts with Lily yet.

Suddenly, as Alyssa was delivering a cup of coffee to a customer, the order machine buzzed with an urgent delivery.

The address wasn’t far, so she decided to take it herself. However, when she arrived, she realized it was Ezekiel’s company. How had she not noticed earlier?

Ezekiel wouldn’t be happy to see her here. He had warned her never to be in the same public space as him. His company was off-limits to her.

For a moment, she considered turning back. But his secretary was outside his office. She wouldn’t have to interact with him directly.

She took a deep breath and entered the building. But the receptionist stopped her. "I’m sorry, ma’am. Alpha Ezekiel wants the delivery brought directly to his office."

Why? She didn’t want to cause trouble for Lily. Ezekiel owned most of the land in this city. That was the power of the Moon Stone Keepers pack. She headed toward his office.

"I’ll just leave it at the door," she thought, her heart racing. "Just quietly set it down and slip away. He won’t even notice—"

But Cindy’s voice pierced through the office door. "How much longer do I have to wait, Ezekiel?" Cindy shrieked. No one dared to yell at Ezekiel like that—except Cindy. Alyssa’s fists clenched in pain.

Holding onto the title of Luna was meaningless. It offered no protection for her pup.

"I’m tired of seeing that woman in my rightful place! You’re mine. I’m the one who should be your Luna!" Cindy continued to complain.

"Ezekiel, reject her already!" Cindy shouted.

"Enough, Cindy. You know my marriage to her means nothing," Ezekiel said, pulling her back into his arms and kissing her earlobe. "It’s just my father’s dying wish. You’ll always be the only one in my heart."

Alyssa took a deep breath. She thought her heart couldn’t hurt anymore, but she couldn’t stop trembling.

She had to leave as quickly as possible and discuss her plans with Lily. As she was about to set the coffee down at the door, Cindy’s sharp eyes caught her. "Alyssa?" she feigned surprise.

Ezekiel’s gaze turned to her, surprised for a second before his sharp eyes bore into her. "What are you doing here? Spying on me?"

Alyssa swallowed the lump in her throat and placed the coffee bag on his desk. If he had eyes, he’d see why she was here.

"Oh… you were delivering our order," Cindy pretended to remember, then immediately went to stroke Ezekiel’s muscular chest, soothing him. "Relax, baby… no need to be mad at her… she’s just doing her job."

"Leave. I warned you never to appear in public with me," Ezekiel commanded coldly.

Alyssa’s heart was numb from the pain. He had humiliated her in front of his mistress.

No! She had already decided to divorce Ezekiel. Cindy’s traps meant nothing to her now, as long as her pup was safe.

But as she turned to leave, Ezekiel suddenly grabbed her arm, warning, "This is the last time! Remember your place, Alyssa. Cindy will always be my only one."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she couldn’t afford to be weak anymore. She shook off Ezekiel’s grip and walked out of his office.

Outside the building, it started pouring rain. Her head felt dizzy, and her bicycle suddenly skidded.

She tried to scream for help, but no sound came out—her silence betrayed her when she needed it most.

"Please," she begged silently, her consciousness fading. "Someone help me… I can’t lose my child… I can’t lose my child…"