Chapter 1

The night I got my positive pregnancy test, I waited eagerly for Alexander, the Alpha who had taken me in, hoping to finally confess my feelings.

Instead, he came home with Helena to spend the night.

Helena couldn't stand the smell of the durian pastries, so he threw away the entire dinner I had spent two hours preparing.

Alexander scooped Helena up in a bridal carry, taking her into the room to massage her twisted ankle.

Helena teased with a smug smile, "Who's the little girl? Looks like she has a huge crush on you."

Alexander didn't even look back. His voice was ice-cold.

"Just a kid. Ignore her."

I forced a bitter smile, ripped up the ultrasound report, and booked a one-way flight to the Amazon rainforest.

I was a rune researcher, completely devoted to ancient tomes and forgotten symbols.

Professor Mitchell always told me I had an incredible gift for deciphering runes, constantly inviting me to join his expedition team.

I turned him down every single time—all for Alexander.

Alexander was the Alpha of the pack my late father once belonged to. After my parents died in a tragic accident, he took me under his wing, shielding me from the world and giving me a home.

I was more than willing to live in his shadow, depending on him for everything, and loving every second of it.

Especially after that reckless night when I accidentally got pregnant with his child.

That made me even more determined to stay by his side.

Now, the illusion had shattered.

Alexander had another woman.

And he had never felt a thing for me.

Before booking my flight to the Amazon, I dialed Professor Mitchell's number for the first time in months.

His voice on the other end was a mix of shock and pure joy.

"Lily? Don't tell me you've finally changed your mind about joining the team?"

I nodded, my voice steady. "Yes, Professor. I've made up my mind. I'm taking a flight in three days to meet you guys in the Amazon."

Professor Mitchell was ecstatic, sounding as if he had just hit the jackpot.

"Oh, thank god you've come to your senses! I've been saying it all along—you're the most talented student I've ever taught. It would be a crime to waste that gift!"

As soon as I hung up, thunder rumbled outside, shaking the windows. Only then did I realize it was pouring.

Normally, whenever it rained like this, my first thought would be whether Alexander was getting soaked.

Even though I knew he had pack enforcers following his every step and wouldn't catch a single raindrop, I would still run over to his office just to bring him an umbrella.

Every time he saw me, his eyes would flash with surprise before his brows knitted into a tight frown.

"Didn't I tell you to stop coming here?"

Seeing him angry always sent a wave of panic through me, and I would apologize over and over.

I couldn't help but scoff at myself. Love really made people pathetic.

Right now, though, I just sat motionless on the couch.

Whether Alexander got soaked or not was no longer my problem.

Three days left.

In three days, I would be gone from this city forever.

When Alexander pushed the front door open, he was drenched from head to toe. Standing in the entryway, he stared at me with unreadable eyes.

"Lily, it's raining."

I stood up, poured myself a glass of water, and nodded faintly. "Yeah."

My mind was already racing with packing lists for the Amazon and what tools I'd need for the runic research.

After a while, I turned around, surprised to see Alexander hadn't moved. He was still standing there, staring at me with his brows furrowed deep.

"What's wrong?" I asked, confused.

Water was dripping from his soaked hair down his face, yet his eyes held a strange, hurt look.

"You didn't bring me an umbrella today."

A small laugh slipped out of me. I thought it was something serious.

"You said you didn't like me going there, so I stopped. Is there a problem with that?"

I looked at him, completely indifferent.

"No problem."

Alexander ground out the words coldly, his voice thick and congested.

He spun around, marched upstairs, and slammed his study door shut with a deafening bang.

He was furious.

And I genuinely didn't care anymore.

In the past, I walked on eggshells around him, doing everything I could to cheer him up when he was in a bad mood, only to be met with his disdain.

Alexander was the Alpha of the pack my father served before his death.

After my parents passed, he brought me to his mansion, provided for my food, clothes, and tuition, and taught me so much.

If I hadn't secretly fallen in love with him, none of this hidden, bitter heartbreak would exist.

I took a deep breath and went back to my room to sleep early. After losing the baby, I was still completely drained, both emotionally and physically.

I couldn't afford to break down now.

The abortion had left me heartbroken. It was only two or three months along.

When the healer showed me the tiny remains, tears had burned my eyes, spilling uncontrollably.

That night, someone had spiked Alexander's drink.

Out of his mind with whatever drug it was, he had pinned me to his bed, confusing me with someone else.

He had been rough. Relentless.

The scent of his Alpha pheromones had clung to the sheets and filled the entire room.

I admitted it—I fell apart, completely surrendered to him.

Afterward, Alexander remembered nothing of that night, and I didn't dare say a word.

Until.

I found out I was pregnant.