Chapter 1

My alpha husband Michael suddenly brought home a she-wolf nanny with a five-year-old child in tow.

He said they were a struggling mother-son duo and he wanted to give her a job.

But late that night, in the basement, I saw Michael roughly taking that woman, Emma:

"Sweetheart, thank you for giving me a child."

Emma shuddered, whimpering softly, "Then when will you finally Mark me?"

Five years ago, I nearly burned to death because of Michael's enemies, losing my ability to become a mother forever.

Back then he held me and cried his heart out, saying over and over that it didn't matter if we had children or not—having me was enough.

Turns out it was all lies.

I stood in the shadows, a cold smile twisting my lips.

A man this filthy? I don't want him anymore.

Victoria POV

Michael and I had been married for nine years. We were the power couple everyone admired in our social circle.

I was the daughter of the chairman of Vanguard Group, one of the top financial conglomerates.

He was the alpha of Silver Crest Pack, one of the most powerful werewolf packs in North America.

Though ours was an arranged marriage, our relationship was the envy of everyone.

That belief shattered completely the moment I saw Michael holding a five-year-old boy.

The reason was simple: that child wasn't mine.

Michael, always so cold and aloof in front of others, was now using the most indulgent tone to coax the child: "Alex, listen to your mother."

My brain buzzed. I couldn't hear anything anymore.

Five years ago, in a fire targeting Michael, I was accidentally burned.

Michael slashed open his palm and used his blood to heal my burns.

But he couldn't save my baby. After that, I completely lost the possibility of becoming a mother.

I remembered Michael gripping my hand tightly by my hospital bed, eyes red as he swore: "I don't need children, Victoria. I only need you."

Those vows still seemed to echo in my ears, but the scene before me shattered everything.

He was holding a child he had with another woman, tenderly calling his name.

I pressed my hand hard over my mouth to keep from crying out, then turned and ran.

At the entrance, my friend Jennifer was startled by my ashen face.

I grabbed her, my fingertips ice cold, my voice hoarse: "Jennifer, help me investigate Michael. He might have a son."

Only now did I understand. All these years he'd cherished me like a treasure, but it was just sugar-coating a bullet.

When I got home, I received a message from Michael: "Three more days on this business trip. Miss me?"

The message was followed by a kissing emoji.

I stared at the text as tears fell.

For the past five years, he went on business trips to Europe every autumn for a month.

I'd always thought he was working hard for his career. Now I understood—that month was reserved for his other family.

Snow had started falling at some point, covering the oak tree outside the window.

I scrolled through the information Jennifer sent me.

The woman's name was Emma, a Delta's daughter who grew up with Michael.

He'd gotten into fights at football games for her, and bought her rare vintage watches at auction.

When they were eighteen, they discovered they were fated mates.

I'd heard that a werewolf's fated mate is arranged by the Moon Goddess. For werewolves, it means their soul has found its other half and become complete.

But some people try to gain higher positions of power through alliances, agreements, or even forcing arranged marriages on their children.

So Michael ultimately didn't choose Emma. Instead, he chose to marry me through an arranged alliance to gain Vanguard Group's support.

But he didn't reject her. Instead, he sent her to Europe.

They'd secretly built a little family there, hiding it from everyone.

My phone rang. Michael's name flashed on the screen.

I bit my lip hard, letting it ring over and over, before finally answering with trembling hands.

"Why did it take you so long to pick up?" His voice was warm as always. "Were you being bad again? Not eating properly?"

My fingers curled into fists.

He used to hold me like this too, laughing softly as he asked: "Not eating properly again? If you get too thin, it'll break my heart."

I would shake my head: "No."

Then he'd kiss my earlobe, laughing low by my ear: "So disobedient? Victoria, do I need to watch you every second?"

I'd thought we'd be like that forever.

This was the first time I lied to him, my voice muffled like I was actually sick: "I have a bit of a cold. I was already asleep."

"A cold?" His tone immediately turned anxious. "Is it serious? I'll fly back right now."

"No need." I quickly stopped him, my voice carrying a distance I didn't even notice. "I took medicine. I'll be fine after some sleep."

I was about to hang up when I heard a woman's lazy, intimate voice through the phone.

"Michael, Alex is asleep, we can..."

Michael hurriedly hung up the call.

He was with that woman right now.

Looking at my silent phone, I couldn't hold back anymore. I broke down crying.

Jennifer rushed into the room and held me with heartache.

"Sweetheart, it's okay. I'm here."