Chapter 1

"Sign this contract. Be my Luna for a year. I'll help you get back at your ex and his mistress." he smiled, looking at me in a way that made my bottom wet. "I know you want them to suffer."

--Evelyn tried to be the perfect Luna, managing the pack and raising her husband Tristan's bastard child as her own. Yet all her efforts were betrayed when Tristan brought the bastard child's birth mom back and asked to divorce Evelyn. Evelyn even learnt the dark truth that her own child from 3 years ago didn't die in a miscarriage as she thought--it was brutally killed by her husband and mistress. At this lowest point of her life, Evelyn received a proposal from Alpha Ahser, who happened to be the one person her ex-husband wanted to impress. Be his contract Luna, he would help her win. Now with the strongest ally, Evelyn came back for her revenge. Soon she would discover that the partnership between her and Asher had turned into something else...Love.

Chapter 0001

Evelyn’s POV

“I’m so glad you are here tonight, Leah. I love you.” Tristan said.

My husband, the Alpha of Blazewood Pack, held the beautiful blonde in his arm, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

I froze on my spot after seeing this. All the guests in the banquet hall were stealing glances at me, whispering and jeering.

“Is that Leah Middleton?” My maid Mandy gasped, “What’s she doing here?!”

My husband brought her here, obviously.

Tonight was the Full Moon festival. We should attend as Alpha and Luna. But instead, Tristan brought her, not giving a damn about how humiliating this was to me.

Leah Middleton was Tristan’s high school sweetheart, Ironclaw Pack’s Alpha’s daughter. She and Tristan were the perfect couple until Leah broke up with him. Rumors said that she cheated on him with another man.

Tristan met me a year later at a party. We found out that we were mates and instantly fell in love. Nobody in my family was thrilled about our relationship. But I still ran away from home and married into Blazewood Pack.

We were mates, blessed by the Moon Goddess. How bad could it be?

But I was wrong. So wrong.

The first bump in our marriage was my miscarriage. I lost my child during a business meeting. Tristan blamed me for it. He thought I was too careless.

To fix the trauma, we adopted a sweet little boy called Roman. But a child still couldn’t fix our marriage. Tristan started to grow cold to me.

And now, Leah was back, my husband’s first love.

Was she here to take him away from me?

Suppressing the panic, I strode up to them.

“Leah, you should leave.” I tried to say this with as much dignity as possible. “And stay away from my husband.”

Leah rounded her big, innocent eyes and looked over to Tristan.

“Love, shall we tell her?” she asked softly.

I started to get a bad feeling. “Tell me what?”

Tristan gave me an indifferent look, “Leah will stay here from now on.”

I couldn’t believe what I just heard. “Stay here? As what? Are you out of your mind?!”

Tears quickly welled up in Leah's eyes, “I know you hate me, Evelyn. It's all my fault. But Tristan didn’t do anything wrong so please don’t yell at him.”

“Do you mind? I’m talking to my husband!” I snapped.

“Be nice to her!” Tristan growled.

“I won’t threaten your position. I promise.” Leah blinked innocently, “You can still be Luna. All I want is to stay with Tristan…and my child.”

The ground was slipping away underneath my feet. My legs went soft, and I couldn’t stand straight.

“Child? What child?” I asked through clenched teeth.

They had a child together? How come I didn't know about this??

They exchanged a look. And then finally, Tristan spoke up, “It’s probably time to tell you the truth…Roman is Leah and my kid.”

I couldn’t breathe, “But you said…you adopted Roman from an orphanage! He doesn’t have any parents!”

“If I hadn’t said that, would you have accepted Roman and raised him as your own?” Tristan said with a frown. “Leah couldn’t raise Roman when the kid was born. So I brought him back here. It’s just a little harmless white lie.”

A harmless white lie?

I poured my heart out and raised the child of the woman who fucked my husband.

And now she swooped in and tried to take my child and husband away.

What am I? A free nanny to them?

“No, Tristan…I don’t want her here.” I gritted, trying hard not to let my tears fall. “This is unacceptable. Send her away please…I am asking as your wife and Luna!”

“She stays. End of discussion!” Tristan growled.

“If she stays…I’m afraid that you are driving me away,” I said, trembling.

My heart was in my throat. Because even I couldn’t be sure whom he would choose.

Tristan looked frustrated. Yet before he spoke up, Leah burst out crying.

“Don’t push him! This is all my fault…I never want to be the third woman in your marriage…I—I should go!” she sobbed and turned away, running out of the banquet hall.

Tristan snapped his head towards me and glared, “Now are you happy?”

With that, he stormed out as well to chase her. They were gone within seconds.

I swayed on my feet, pain and humiliation washing over me. Tristan had just made his decision--between me and Leah, he chose the latter.

All the guests were watching with jeers. Nobody came forward to comfort me. Tristan’s members all thought I was a country girl from a small Northern pack. And I didn't deserve their great Alpha.

They were probably thrilled to have Leah here to replace me, since she was an Alpha’s daughter.

“Luna Evelyn, are you OK?” my maid Mandy asked, worried.

“I…I need to lie down…”

I escaped the banquet hall, staggering, away from those gloating eyes.

But I couldn’t sleep.

How could I sleep knowing that my husband was being with another woman?

After crying in my room alone for a few hours, I steeled myself up and went to find Tristan in his room.

We should talk.

We could make this work.

Yet the soldiers outside of Tristan’s room stopped me. They told me that the Alpha was busy right now.

“Busy with what? He doesn't have time for his wife?” I asked in disbelief.

“This is Alpha's order,” the soldier replied coldly.

I was angry. Just as I wanted to keep arguing, a sharp pain coursed through my body. I bent over, groaning out.

This pain was caused by betrayal. In the werewolf world, when your mate cheats on you, you feel the unbearable pain and get the image of them having sex.

Those images were in my head at this very moment.

Just across this door, they were naked on our wedding bed. Leah’s legs were wrapped around Tristan’s waist, and he was fucking her like a wild beast.

“Oh…oh my god, harder, harder!” she shrieked.

He grabbed her bouncing boob and growled, “You are amazing…fuck…I love you.”

A sick feeling surged up in me.

I struggled a few steps forward and threw up.

Chapter 0002

Evelyn’s POV

I was carried back to my room that day. The pain and the images in my head almost killed me. I couldn’t get out of bed for the next 3 days.

And Tristan never bothered to check on me once. I heard that he was busy taking Leah to parties and introducing her to all his members.

Then I got an unexpected call, from my best friend in college, Haley.

“Hey, Evelyn! Just want to check on you and see if you are still coming to Storm Fang Pack for business next week. We should definitely find a time to meet up!”

I took in a small deep breath.

Shit. I almost forgot that.

For the past few years, I have been working on a huge real estate project called Carnival City with a company in Storm Fang Pack, AKA the largest and most powerful pack in the world.

Originally, I planned to go over there next week and sign the contract with CEO Jason.

I also wanted to catch up with Haley and…possibly visit Haley's brother.

Her brother, Asher Hawthorne, was no one else but the Alpha of Storm Fang Pack, the tycoon that dominated the business world.

If he could advise on my project, it’d definitely help me.

But Asher Hawthorne was a notorious playboy. I heard that he never wasted time on women unless he was interested in having sex with them. So I knew that maybe meeting with Alpha Asher was a long shot.

But now, I had completely forgotten all about that.

Because of what happened with Leah.

“I don’t know, Haley…Maybe there’ll be a change of plan. I can’t go anymore.” I said lowly.

“What? Why?”

There’s no point hiding this with my best friend. I covered my face and choked, “…Tristan is leaving me for another woman…the birth mother of our adopted child. If he does, there’s no point for me to keep working on that project…”

I developed the Carnival City project to solve Blazewood Pack’s financial crisis. But none of that matters now if I am no longer the Luna.

“WHAT?! That jerk!!” Haley cried in disbelief, “Have you talked to a divorce lawyer? Make sure you get 80% of his assets!”

“I…I don’t know, Haley. We haven’t talked about division of assets yet.”

“Hang in there, girl. I’ll see what I can do to help,” she said firmly before hanging up.

It felt good to be comforted by a good friend.

And it made me wonder—maybe I shouldn’t leave without a fight. I should at least do something for our marriage.

Leah wasn’t the right one for Tristan. She left him once for another man 4 years ago before we got married. I didn’t know why she came back to Tristan this time and she would betray him again.

I just needed to show him that she couldn’t be trusted.

But who was here to help me? Not the members. They weren’t too fond of me. Definitely not the elders. They all thought I was a Northern chick with no class.

Then, finally, I thought of Roman. My baby boy.

Although Leah was his mother by birth, I was by his side for the past 3 years. My boy would be on my side.

Standing outside of the packhouse, I saw Roman’s school bus drive close. I was on this spot every morning and night for the past 3 years, waiting for Roman to come back to school.

As soon as the door opened, I started waving and calling for my boy:

“Roman! Darling! Over here!”

He jumped off the school bus. But as soon as he saw me, he started running in the opposite direction.

“Get away from me!” He cried.

I rushed to grab his shoulder, stunned, “What? Roman, why—”

“You want my mommy to leave! I hate you!” he shouted, “Daddy, Mommy, and I are a real family! Not you!”

Tears welled up in my eyes. Roman knew Leah was back. And he chose her over me.

“Roman, I—I’m your mom, remember?” I choked, “I took you to the hospital when you were sick. I went to all of your parent and teacher's meetings. I tugged you in every night…I love you…”

He struggled in my arms, screeching, as though he didn’t want me to touch him.

Passersby stopped and stared at us. One guy even came forward and said, “Miss, please let go of the child.”

“It’s ok. He’s my kid.” I quickly explained.

“NO!” Roman shrieked, “You hit me! You put my head into the toilet! You scared me! I don’t want you. I want Mommy Leah!”

I froze on my spot. I didn’t none of those stuff! Why would Roman lie about those?!

Leah suddenly appeared near the front gate, with Tristan behind her back. She dashed over, crying, and held Roman tightly in her arms.

“My poor baby! What’ve you been through!” she wailed.

“You hit Roman?!” Tristan growled at me, “Are you doing this because you can’t have your own child and you are jealous of Leah?”

I looked at him in shock. How could he think this way?

Leah sobbed, “Don’t blame her, Tristan. I get it. People only love their own kid. Roman and I are outsiders here. Maybe we should leave…”

“Yes, you do!” I blurt out.

“ENOUGH!” Tristan snarled, glaring at me. “Leah’s the woman I love and Roman is my only son! I can’t leave them. And they need me.”

I started to tremble in pain. “Then what about me, Tristan? I’m your mate!”

“Nobody says you aren’t!” Tristan said impatiently, “You’ll still be Blazewood Pack’s Luna. Leah is here simply because of love. She’s not interested in your position.”

“You won’t even notice that I’m in the house. I just want to stay with Tristan.” Leah said softly.

I felt dizzy.

If she was the woman he loved, then what did that make me? A free employee who helped him run his pack? How could I stand the pain while my husband fucked another woman every night in the next room?

No, I couldn’t handle that.

And I didn’t think Tristan’s love for me was completely gone.

So with a trembling hand, I started undo my blouse, revealing my delicate collarbone and then my chest. My scent quickly filled the air. I heard Tristan’s breathing suddenly became heavy.

“…What are you doing?” he gritted with sweat on his forehead.

I took a step further, locking eyes with him, whispering, “Don’t you miss me? The feeling of being with your mate…it’s better than anything else in the world. You know that.”

The matebond was working.

He stared deep into my eyes, obsessed, and murmured, “…My mate.”

Chapter 0003

Evelyn’s POV

My heart pounded in my chest. I took another step further and reached out to him.

A sharp scream pierced through the air.

Leah collapsed on the ground. She gripped her chest, panting and crying, “No…my chest…”

Tristan was snapped back to reality. He went to her in panic, “God! What’s going on?”

“My chest…it hurts…” Tears streamed down Leah’s face, “Just let me go, Tristan. There’re obviously feelings between you and your mate. The matebond…how can I beat that?”

“We have love! It conquers everything!” Tristan said decisively, “Come! I’ll take you to the hospital.”

He spooned her up with one arm and held Roman with another hand. Before leaving, he shot me a glare.

“Don’t force me to divorce you, Evelyn!” he snarled, “If I do that, you’ll have no money and nowhere to go. So be nice to Leah and Roman from now on. Only that will guarantee you a place under my roof!”

He stormed away, leaving me heartbroken on the spot.

Maybe I should do what Haley suggested—get a good divorce lawyer and guarantee for a basic life in the future.

But Tristan was a powerful Alpha, and I didn’t even have money to hire a decent lawyer. I couldn’t win this in court.

I wandered back to my room, absentminded, not knowing what to do next. The next morning, I got a call from work.

One of the staff on the Carnival City project told me that CEO Jason wanted to discuss our contract. Maybe he had heard about my divorce and had doubts about our cooperation.

So I struggled out of bed and went to the office.

Yet to my surprise, Leah was the only person in the office when I came in.

“What’re you doing here?” I asked, astounded. “And where’s everyone?”

She gave me a mocking smile, “I told them to have the day off. Oh, and I already talked to CEO Jason and invited him to come here to sign the contract. You’re welcome.”

I couldn’t believe this.

“You have no right. This is my office!” I snapped.

She giggled, pleased to see me enraged, “Not anymore. I told Tristan that I wanted the Carnival City project. And he says I can have it.”

I rounded my eyes in shock.

I worked days and nights on this project, making budgets, drafting the proposal, and finding investors.

Yet now, the project that I poured my heart and soul into became a gift from my husband to his mistress.

“Why the shocking face? You know Tristan would give me anything,” Leah coiled a lock of her hair, smiling. “This project is nothing too fancy. But it’ll be a good stepping stone for me to become Tristan’s Luna.”

I stared at her, breathing rapidly.

“You want to be Tristan’s Luna?” I cried, “B…But you said that you are here simply because of love. And you are not interested in that position!”

“Oh my god, you believe that? That’s just something I say for Tristan!” she smiled a twisted smile, “Of course I want to be Luna. Why else would I waste time on Tristan?”

I took a step back, my body trembling, “You don’t love him! You are just bouncing from Alpha to Alpha! I’m going to tell him—”

“Be my guest. See if he believes you.” Leah giggled, approaching me step by step. “Tristan has blind faith in me. He would do anything for me…Let me tell you a little secret. Remember your miscarriage?”

A chill ran through me. “…What?”

Leah leaned in, looking at me with a smug smile.

“I couldn’t keep Roman when I first had him. So Tristan suggested bringing him here and told you Roman’s adopted. But you happened to be pregnant as well at that time. So I got really worried: If a woman already has her own child, how could she be nice to an adopted kid? And you know what Tristan said about that?"

I stared at her in horror, my mind froze.

"Tristan said, ‘Just get rid of her baby, problem solved.’ "

Leah laughed heartily.

"He put wolfsbane in your drink, and your child slipped right out. After that, he brought Roman back as your only child…That’s how far Tristan would go for me!”

The whole world collapsed around me.

Shock, anger, disbelief…almost tore my soul apart!

“No….NO!!” I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “This isn’t true…Tristan would never…I’m going to ask him!”

“Whatever, Evelyn.” Leah giggled.

I shoved her aside and jerked around, dashing out of the office.

I needed to see Tristan.

I wanted to tell him that Leah didn’t love him at all. She’s just using him. And I wanted to hear him explain. I knew he didn’t murder our baby.

I ran out of the building and across the street. From the corner of my eyes, I saw a truck coming at me at full speed. But it was too late for me to dodge.

BANG!!!

The truck hit me, sending me flying, and then crashing onto the ground.

Pain shot through my body. My vision became blurred. Blood pooled underneath me.

Vaguely, I saw the truck driver jump off and walk over.

“He…Help…” I groaned weakly with tears, “Pl…ease…”

Yet the driver only gave me an indifferent look and turned to Leah, “Miss Leah, what’s next?”

“Drag her into the woods and bury her.” Leah looked down at me with a sweet smile. “Once she’s gone, Tristan will have no choice but to make me Luna.”

They were together.

This was murder.

But my energy was gone. I shut my eyes, trembling, and slipped into the darkness.

Chapter 0004

Evelyn’s POV

I thought I was dead already.

But when I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in the hospital bed. A nurse was checking my blood pressure by the bedside.

“Oh my god, you’re awake!” she said cheerfully, “Finally! It’s been a week!”

…A week?

“W—Where…am I?”

She told me an address, which was hundreds of miles far from the packhouse. Leah must have driven a long way before dumping me.

“A couple of hikers found you in the woods and sent you to the hospital. You’d be dead already in they were a couple of hours late.” the nurse’s face turned serious, “What’s your name? And what happened to you?”

I groaned trying to sit up, “Did…did anyone come to look for me?”

“No. Nobody came.”

Tears poured out of my eyes.

I was gone missing for a week. Yet my own husband didn’t even bother to look for me.

“I…I need to go.” I gasped and struggled to get out of bed, “I need to find Tristan…”

The nurse followed me crying, “Hey you’re not fully recovered yet! Come back!”

She said that my ribs were fractured. My left leg was broken. And I was suffering from a concussion, which could develop into a serious disease if wasn’t taken seriously.

But I still insisted on checking out from the hospital.

I had no money and no phone at the moment. So how to go back to the packhouse was a big issue.

My only option was to hitch a ride.

I traveled the freeway for a whole morning, staggering. My ribs and left leg hurt like hell. My wolf was healing me as quickly as possible. But it still wasn’t enough.

Before I dropped down by the streetside again, a kind family stopped the car and gave me a ride.

We started talking in the car. The family told me that something big was happening at the packhouse.

“…Alpha Tristan is getting married again soon!” the wife said excitedly, “The new Luna is Ironclaw Pack’s daughter! And the adopted kid, Roman, isn’t adopted at all! He’s Alpha Tristan and Leah’s son! The boy has real Alpha blood!”

“Finally, we can have a highborn Luna. Someone who truly deserves our Alpha,” the father commented.

I gazed out the window numbly. The agony was making it hard for me to breathe.

“…And where’s the old Luna?” I asked lowly.

The wife shrugged, “Who cares? Not even Alpha Tristan cares. He didn’t mention her once in public once Leah was back.”

I wanted to cry again but also didn’t want to do it in front of strangers. So I turned around and covered my eyes.

3 hours later, the car stopped at the Central Square in front of the packhouse. A lot of people were gathered here.

I thanked the family and got out of the car. Going into the crowd, I heard people say that CEO Jason was coming from Storm Fang Pack today to sign a business contract with us. And all those people were here to welcome him.

“Miss Leah is in charge of the Carnival City project!” someone said in the crowd, “Well done, Leah! Finally, a Luna who knows what’s she doing!”

I clenched my fists in anger.

Carnival City was my project. Leah stole the fruit of my work. Yet nobody here knew that.

In the center, Tristan, Leah, and Roman were posing happily for the cameras.

“We are all excited about CEO Jason’s arrival, about the Carnival City. This is an important moment for the entire Blazewood Pack,” Tristan said with a charming smile.

“But why isn’t Luna Evelyn here today?” a reporter asked.

A deep furrow appeared between Tristan’s brows.

Before Tristan could answer, Leah jumped the gun and said, “Evelyn doesn’t want to come. Maybe she’s sick. Or maybe…she just doesn’t want to be in the same room with me.”

People let out low hisses.

Someone cried, “She’s obviously jealous of you! You made this project work. You gave birth to our Alpha’s only heir. Only you matter here! Evelyn can go fuck herself!”

“Guys…please. Have some sympathy.” Leah said softly, “I never want to fight with her. As long as I have Tristan, it’s enough.”

They held hands and smiled looking at each other.

I couldn’t control the growing pain in my chest watching them like this.

…Did Tristan even bother to look for me while I went missing?

Maybe he really didn’t care. Maybe I would humiliate myself by coming back to confront him.

Just then, a honk came from the near distance.

The crowd stirred. Tristan announced loudly, “CEO Jason is here. Let’s all go welcome him!”

A line of cars appeared at the end of the road, speeding toward us. At the front was a black Maybach.

It pulled up in front of the crowd.

The car door opened up. Jason got out of the front seat.

Tristan rushed forward and stretched out his hand to welcome this mighty CEO.

But Jason ignored that hand. He hurriedly walked to the backseat and the back door in a humble manner.

Another man got out of the car.

He stood tall, around 6'3", with a broad, athletic build that screamed strength and control. His chiseled jawline, sharp cheekbones, and strong chin all gave him a commanding presence.

And those piercing green eyes were intense, with a sharp, almost predatory gaze.

A deathly silence fell.

Everyone in the crowd froze in shock, including me.

“Asher Hawthorne.”

The handsome man offered his hand to the dumb-founded Tristan, saying in a deep, sexy voice.

“Nice to meet you.”

A round of surprised gasps broke out from the crowd.

Alpha Asher…What was he doing here?!

He was the Alpha of Storm Fang Pack, a huge business tycoon. There were hundreds of thousands of companies under his reign.

The Carnival City Project was huge to us, but nothing to him.

Why would he show up here today?

“Alpha Asher heard about our project and was really interested in it,” Jason explained to Tristan. “So if you agree, the Hawthorne Enterprise will become your new partner.”

Tristan inhaled sharply, and so did every elder behind his back.

“Of course!” Tristan gasped out in joy. “Come in please. Let’s discuss this in detail.”

“Wait.” Asher interrupted in a chilling voice, “Why isn’t Evelyn here? She’s in charge of the project.”

There was a buzz of comments around me.

“Luna Evelyn? I thought Leah is in charge!” a man gasped.

“So did Leah lie about that?” a woman asked.

Leah’s face turned pale slightly. Then she forced out a smile.

“Luna Evelyn found working on this project too exhausting. So she stepped back and handed everything to me. Trust me, Alpha Tristan. I can do a better job,” she explained.

I clenched my fists in anger.

Another lie. I didn’t hand it to her. She stole it after hitting me with a truck.

Yet Alpha Asher completely ignored her, as though she didn’t exist in his eyes.

“I don’t do business with amateurs. Certainly not with your mistress.” He said freezingly to Tristan. “Bring Luna Evelyn back by tonight! Or the cooperation is off.”

With that, he strode past Tristan and Leah and headed toward the packhouse. Jason and the burly soldiers from Storm Fang Pack followed their Alpha.

Chapter 0005

Evelyn’s POV

I watched them traveling away. Shock still rippled in my heart.

Why would Asher ask for me so forcefully?

The only time I met him was at my graduation ceremony, and he was looking at me with that burning, strange gaze as if I were a piece of cheesecake with a cherry on top—or his prey.

I was sure he wasn’t a psycho, but I still kept my distance.

Mostly because I knew that, aside from being the world’s strongest Alpha, he was also a huge fuckboy, known for never sleeping with the same girl twice.

I couldn’t afford to get involved with someone like him.

We never met again after that. I thought he had completely forgotten me.

But judging by today…he still remembers.

I looked around and found that everyone had went into the packhouse for tonight’s party. I needed to talk to Tristan. But I wouldn’t be allowed into the door dressed in this dirty rag.

So I rushed back to my room to change.

My maid Mandy helped me choose a silver backless dress that clung to my curves like moonlight. A dazzling diamond necklace lay on my chest, giving a radiant glow.

Mandy styled my hair with pearl hairpins and fresh lilies. The natural floral floated in the air as I walked, smelling was better than any perfume.

“My god, you are so beautiful!” Mandy adjusted the lilies and gasped, “You are going to be the center of attention tonight!”

I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, a little surprised myself.

I used to have many pursuers back in college. And I enjoyed dressing up and looking good in front of people.

But I gave that all up after I married Tristan. Because I want to spend more time on being a good Luna than looking good.

But that did not work out for our marriage.

At roughly 8 o’clock, I left my room and went to the banquet hall.

Fancily dressed guests were arriving. All of them had heard that Alpha Asher was here, and all were eager to meet him.

I found Tristan, Leah, and all the Blazewood Pack elders on the top of the staircase, talking anxiously.

“...So we still can’t find Luna Evelyn?” an elder asked.

Tristan frowned. Leah wiped the corner of her eyes and sobbed, “Maybe she’s hiding because of me. I’m so sorry Tristan. It’s all my fault that you and your Luna are apart…”

“Don’t be silly.” Tristan said deeply, “I’ll have more soldiers look for her. She won’t hide for long.”

Leah hugged his arm with a sweet, innocent smile, “I hope she can be back for our engagement party. Do you think she’ll be happy for us?”

I couldn’t stand it anymore.

So I strode forward and called him, “…Tristan!”

They jerked around together. Leah quickly let out a small scream.

Tristan rounded his eyes. He stood there, ignoring his mistress, and stared at me. I could see shock, admiration, and lust in his eyes.

“…Evelyn…Where have you been?!” he murmured, “You look amazing tonight.”

“You are marrying her?” I asked shakily.

His eyes grew dark.

“Don’t blame Tristan. He thought you ran away.” Leah quickly said, her face still pale. “Anyway, it’s nice to have you back. We are all worried.”

I directed my gaze upon her.

“Worried? Well…you should be!” I cried, my voice trembling. “You hit me with a truck! You’re a murderer!”

There’s a collocative intake of breath.

“A truck? What are you talking about?!” Tristan asked, astounded.

I pointed a finger at Leah, “She hit me with a truck and dumped my body in the woods. If hikers hadn’t found me, I would have been dead!”

All the elders gasped in shock, looking at Leah in horror.

A shadow flickered across Leah’s face before she burst into tears again:

“This is ridiculous! Tristan, you know I can’t even hurt a little bird. Evelyn… she’s crazy.”

“We can check the surveillance camera outside of my office. Or find the truck driver. Then you’ll know that I didn’t lie!”

Tristan nodded at a soldier, who hurried to find the surveillance footage. 15 minutes later, he rushed back, a reluctant look on his face.

“…I checked the footage,” he mumbled. “But there’s no truck or car accident…”

My mind went blank.

How could this be?

“M—Maybe the footage was edited…” I murmured.

“Enough!” Tristan growled darkly. “Why do you have to go after Leah?! She didn’t do anything!”

Leah swayed on her feet, letting out a sob.

“…Don’t blame her…I broke your marriage. She has a reason to hate me…” she said with pouring tears. “I’m so humiliated. Maybe only death can prove my innocence!”

She suddenly dashed toward a pillar.

BANG!

She crashed into it, blood pouring from her head as she collapsed.

“LEAH!!” Tristan shouted.

Holding her in his arms, he turned to glare at me, “Leah wants to kill herself! Are you happy now? When do you become so heartless and cold?”

“…I’m cold?” I asked shakily, tears welling up. “This woman tried to hit me…She also killed my unborn child! She admitted herself before the car accident—”

Tristan growled, “You are crazy! If anything, I’m glad that our kid wasn’t born! At least he wouldn’t have a crazy woman as his mother!”

Cold disappointment overwhelmed me.

He admitted it.

My mate, my husband was glad that our child died.

Numbly, I turned to leave, desperate tears blurred my vision. My legs were too soft to walk. But I just wanted to be as far away from them as possible.

“Where’re you going?” Tristan called behind my back, “Evelyn, come back!”

“…Let her be, Tristan…” Leah softly said.

I barely made it to the gate before falling.

A large hand caught my arm just in time.

I jerked up and saw Alpha Asher.

The grand chandelier painted his handsome profile with a golden hue. His soldiers surrounded him, blocking the other guests out. Only I could come near him.

His emerald eyes darkened when our eyes locked.

His gaze was dominant and straightforward as if I were his prey, and he wanted to eat me alive.

“Luna Evelyn.” He called my name in a deep, seductive voice, “Good to see you again.”

I quickly regained my balance, “Hello, Alpha Asher.”

He was still holding my hand.

Suddenly, electricity shot through my body, nearly making me moan. There’s even a tingling sensation between my legs.

I quickly withdrew my hand, my heart pounding.

…What the hell was that?

“Can I have a word with you in private before the party begins?” Alpha Asher asked politely, unaware of the change in my body.

“Oh…OK.”

“Wait!” Tristan called behind my back. He didn’t want me to leave.

But I ignored him and left quickly.

Asher led me back to his suite and ordered the soldiers to close the door.

“Please sit.”

He sat on the sofa, gesturing to the seat across from him.

I sat down. His enticing scent filled my nostrils, making my head dizzy. I secretly pressed my legs together.

“What do you want to talk about, Alpha Asher?” I asked, trying to maintain my composure. “It this is about the project, maybe you should talk to Tristan directly—”

“It’s not about that.”

He pulled out a document and slid it across the table to me, his eyes still locked on mine.

Again, that intense, possessive gaze.

“This is a contract,” he said. “I want you to be my Luna for a year after you divorce Tristan.”