The day I left, the Alpha wolf king cried

"What's the ultimate favoritism your partner has shown you?"

Three days after my IVF procedure, I came across this trending question on a werewolf forum.

I was about to scroll past when a highly-liked response caught my eye.

[I just got pregnant with the Alpha's cub, so I can answer this.]

[The favoritism is that even though I'm not his official partner, he lied to his wife about her body not being able to conceive, just so I could carry his cub.]

[He said human bodies are useless, and only a strong she-wolf like her is worthy of bearing his offspring.]

In the photo, the ruby necklace that belonged exclusively to me was hanging around her neck.

My hands trembled as I finished reading those words.

So this was his idea of a beautiful future—tangled up in his deputy's bed.

So the pain I endured from egg retrieval was just pointless suffering in his eyes.

I laughed until tears came.

Years ago, I defied my father's objections, even cut ties with my family, just to marry this stray wolf.

"Ella, one day you'll come crawling back begging for our forgiveness!"

Now, I'd truly failed.

I yanked out the IV needle from the back of my hand and dialed the number I'd blocked for five years.

"In three days, I'm returning to the Hunter's Guild."

After hanging up, I wiped the blood from my hand.

If I were leaving, some debts needed settling.

I swallowed two high-concentration painkillers to suppress the severe pain from excessive egg retrieval.

Then I walked to Eric's tribal council hall.

The wolf guard at the entrance saw me and contemptuously blocked my path with his spear.

"Luna, the Alpha is handling important classified matters. You're just a human—go back to your flower arranging."

That was something I'd learned specifically to fit into the wolf clan.

In their eyes, it had become a symbol of weakness.

I lifted my eyelids and stared coldly at those vertical pupils. "Get out of my way!"

The cold aura emanating from me made the guard freeze.

It was the oppressive presence of an S-rank hunter—though sealed, its remnants remained.

The guard instinctively stepped back.

I pushed open the door and barged straight into the council hall.

There was no classified meeting.

Eric sat in the main seat, three buttons of his shirt undone.

Seeing me, he frowned.

"Instead of resting at home, what are you doing here?"

His words sounded concerned, but his eyes were full of disgust and impatience.

I sniffed the air—it was thick with a strong scent.

The distinctive smell of a she-wolf in heat.

Before, if I so much as frowned slightly, he'd nervously drop whatever he was doing and hold me on his lap, coaxing me for ages.

He said the council hall was too cold, so he specially laid expensive carpets everywhere, just so I could come find him anytime.

Now, those carpets were covered with another she-wolf's scent.

I stared into his eyes, not missing the flash of panic.

"I'm your Luna. Can't I come see my husband?"

Eric stood up, his tall figure looming over me.

"Ella, this isn't a place you should be. Stop making a scene. Go back."

He reached out to push me away. I dodged to the side.

My gaze moved past his broad shoulders to the council table behind him.

There, a gray wolf's tail brazenly extended out, lightly sweeping across Eric's ankle.

Like a provocation, like a declaration of ownership.

Eric's movement froze mid-air as he immediately used his body to block that tail.

"Don't come near me!" He suddenly growled.

"I'm on the edge of a rampage period, can't control my strength."

"Your human body is like a porcelain doll—it'll shatter at the slightest touch. Stay back!"

If that tail wasn't still wagging excitedly, I might have believed him.

Eric continued his act, pretending to be in pain.

"Ella, leave now! I can't control my wolf nature—I'll hurt you!"

I didn't even look at him, my gaze locked onto that tail.

My nails dug into my palms, but I felt no pain.

"Fine." I nodded, my voice calm.

"I suddenly don't feel well. I need to go back for an IV."

Eric visibly relaxed.

"Let the driver take you. Don't come to the council hall these next few days. It's for your own good."

I turned to leave.

Behind me came Mina's coquettish complaint, "Alpha, look at her miserable face, such a buzzkill."

Followed by urgent panting sounds.