Chapter 2

Thea's POV

Staring at the message, I suddenly felt my entire body relax.

Perhaps this was for the best. There was nothing left for me in this pack anyway. In three days, whatever existed between Ryder and me would be over.

But behind me, Vera spotted me and hurried over with a bright smile. "Thea? Did you come to attend my pup's Moon Blessing ceremony? I was worried you were still angry with me and wouldn't come.

"Thea, I hope you don't blame my family. They only caused all that trouble because they care about me too much. It just so happens my family is all here today. Let me introduce them to you! Once everyone talks things through, everything will be fine."

She linked her arm through mine and led me toward the group, then clapped her hands. "Look who's here!"

Instantly, all eyes fell on me. I watched everyone's smiles freeze and the color drain from their faces.

"Thea, this is my best friend, Talia Stone. She works at the Healing House too. You two must already know each other, right?"

Talia's gaze flickered nervously as she stammered, "H-hi, Thea…"

Her tone was distant, as if we were meeting for the first time.

Vera, completely oblivious, cheerfully pulled me over to Zane. "This is my best friend from school, Zane Thornton. He's the idiot who reported you! But don't worry, I've already given him a hard time about it."

Zane lowered his head, unable to meet my eyes. He mumbled softly, "Thea…"

His voice was so quiet that Vera didn't even hear it.

Finally, Vera brought me to Ryder. Right in front of me, she wrapped an arm around his neck and kissed his cheek. "This is my husband. His name is—"

I smiled and cut her off. "Ryder Jones, Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack and the owner of this villa."

Vera blinked in surprise, looking back and forth between us. "How do you know that?"

I laughed softly. Ignoring the warning look in Ryder's eyes, I spoke slowly. "Because he's my mate. We've been together for five years. In fact, this villa was a birthday gift he gave me three years ago. Didn't he ever tell you?"

Back then, I'd casually mentioned wanting a quiet place to develop potions. He immediately purchased this villa and gifted it to me. A year ago, he claimed the pack was struggling financially, so I volunteered to sell the villa to help.

Now, I understood. That had just been another lie.

"Thea, what are you talking about?" Vera's eyes immediately reddened. "Ryder marked me a year ago. How could he possibly still be your… That's impossible!"

The moment Ryder saw Vera's tears, he panicked. "Vera, let me explain…"

My heart went completely numb. I was the one who'd been betrayed and deceived. Yet, my mate's first instinct was to explain himself to another shewolf.

I let out a bitter laugh. "He has a scar on his lower back. He got it four years ago during a territorial dispute when he took a fatal blow for me. And the Moonlight Charm he wears? I prayed for it at the Moon Goddess Temple… So, you really are the shewolf he was secretly involved with behind my back…"

"Thea, shut up!"

Under Vera's gaze, all three of them interrupted me at once. Ryder's expression instantly turned cold, while Talia and Zane looked at me reproachfully.

"Am I wrong? Ryder, Talia, and you too, Zane. You were all brave enough to do it, but not brave enough to admit it?"

Ryder pulled the trembling Vera into his arms and spoke in a low voice. "Thea, Vera didn't know anything. If you're angry, take it out on me. Don't talk about her like that."

Talia stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Thea, Ryder stopped loving you a long time ago. Vera is his fated mate!"

And my own brother, Zane, finally found the courage to speak against me. "Thea, since you already know the truth, just let them be together. Vera already gave birth to Ryder's pup. No matter how much you make a scene today, you can't break the bond between the three of them."

My family stood around Vera, protecting her. One hurtful word after another was hurled at me. My eyes burned with tears that were about to fall.

"So, that's enough reason for all of you to work together and destroy my reputation in the pack and my career?"

The bitterness and fury inside me surged to the surface. I stared at Vera, then at each of them. "She is the one who came between us, and all of you are her accomplices. Am I wrong?"