Staring at the glowing words on the spirit crystal, I kept my face calm and sent no reply.
When the light faded, my heart did not stir at all.
Ronan had always enjoyed this. He liked seeing me jealous, losing control, breaking down because of him. Then he would watch me bow my head and forgive him, simply because I loved him too much.
But I was truly tired.
So tired that even anger felt heavy.
Ardena told me to give her seven days. She would arrange everything within the pack council and settle the bond matter.
I did not need to fight. I only had to wait quietly. When the week ended, I would be free beneath the Moon Goddess.
The next morning, when I opened my eyes, I felt a familiar Alpha aura beside me.
I did not know when Ronan had returned to our den. He leaned against the wooden headboard, lazily twirling a strand of my hair between his fingers.
His other hand rested on my round belly. His head was lowered, as if listening closely to the tiny heartbeat inside.
“The pup is moving.”
He smiled at me. “Valea, he is clawing at me.”
As if answering him, a small push pressed against his palm. Light but certain.
Pain stabbed through my chest, but I did not move away.
Ronan had always been like this.
No matter how wildly he ran through other pack lands, once he came back to me, he became gentle and patient. A caring mate. A father waiting for his heir.
He would tuck the fur blanket around me and speak in a soft voice. When I lost control of my emotions, he would whisper again and again, “Valea, I will correct myself.”
Or, “Do not cry.”
As long as I ignored the dirt outside our territory, our mating bond could still look peaceful and honorable.
But I could not live like that anymore. That was why I chose to leave.
“Sit up and eat something.”
Ronan bent down and kissed my forehead.
“After breakfast, I will take you to the healer hall for your checkup. You have an appointment today, do you not?”
At the long dining table, he watched me drink warm milk. Then he gave a low laugh, testing me.
“Valea, I thought you would howl at me through the crystal last night, just like before. Calling again and again whenever you caught me with another she wolf.”
“What happened? My little crybaby changed her nature? You truly do not care anymore?”
I held the cup without lifting my head.
“Is this not what you always wanted?” My voice remained steady. “A quiet and obedient Luna who pretends nothing happened.”
Ronan paused. It was clear my words surprised him. Then he reached out and stroked my hair, like calming a young wolf that had finally stopped fighting.
“It is good that you understand.”
He spoke casually. “Alphas like me must handle social matters between packs.”
“Relax. No matter what happens, you are the only Luna I will ever mate. Those outsiders are just passing shadows.”
Passing shadows…
The words were light, yet they pressed on my chest until breathing felt hard.
I suddenly remembered years ago, under the full moon.
When Ronan confessed his love, he swore that in this lifetime he would love only me, stay loyal, and never turn his back on me.
It seemed even vows made under the Moon Goddess could fade. Even he no longer believed them.
My nails dug into my palm. The small pain kept me awake.
“Let’s go.”
I stood, cutting off the conversation.
On the way to the healer hall, the carriage was silent.
Before, I would speak happily on rides like this, talking about the pup growing inside me. Only when we spoke of the pup did I feel Ronan still cared for this family.
But now I no longer wished to pretend.
Ronan glanced at me several times through the mirror, yet he said nothing.
Just before we reached the healer hall, his crystal slate rang.
The voice on the other end sounded anxious. Words drifted through about causing trouble at home, dragging someone away, forcing her to mate with an old Alpha.
Ronan’s expression did not change.
“That is her pack’s problem. What does it have to do with me?”
His tone turned cold. “Did I not say that when I am with my mate, do not bring me other matters?”
He cut the connection at once.
Soon after, he stopped the carriage at the healer hall gates. He placed his hand over my belly and spoke softly.
“Baby, we are here.”
For a moment, I thought perhaps he still had some conscience left.
But after I received my waiting token and turned around, the seat beside me was already empty.
A message from him appeared quickly.
“Something came up.”
“The day after tomorrow is your mother’s death anniversary. I will return to accompany you and the pup.”
“Complete the checkup alone today.”
A cold laugh left my lips.
I finished every examination by myself and sat quietly in the stone corridor, waiting for the results.
On the spirit network, the young she wolf streamer posted a new image.
The restaurant light was warm and close. The Ronan who should have been sitting beside me in the healer hall was seated across from her instead, looking attentive.
Her caption read, “Thank you Alpha Ronan for saving me from being forced by my own mother to mate with an old wolf. I will love him forever and stay by his side.”
My throat tightened.
I bit the inside of my cheek and placed my hand over my belly, rubbing it slowly.
“Baby.”
I asked in a calm voice, “If one day your father and mother sever their mate bond… will you blame your mother?”
