Chapter 2 The Mistress Moves In

Ember's POV

I forced out a smile that looked worse than crying. "I was just kidding."

For the first three months of pregnancy, a female wolf's scent doesn't change. After three months, only special scent suppressants can possibly hide the pregnancy smell. I'm only eight weeks along, so Asher doesn't know yet.

Asher was displeased. "You joke about something like this? You're getting more and more ridiculous."

He turned and went upstairs, his tall figure disappearing around the stairway corner. I stood there, my eyes burning. Deep in my consciousness, Emilia let out a low whimper.

That night I pulled out my suitcase, folding clothes one by one and placing them inside. My movements were gentle, as if afraid of disturbing something. My palm accidentally brushed across my belly - still flat as usual, yet already nurturing a small life.

What about the baby? Daddy doesn't want us anymore.

I grew up in a warm family. My parents were gentle and kind, they supported each other, tolerated each other, and gave me a childhood full of love. I thought a bond should be like that.

So when Grandma Blackwood came to the Hart family to propose the match, I agreed without much hesitation. Back then I had feelings for Asher, thinking three years would be enough time to melt his heart.

But I was wrong. You can never warm a man who doesn't love you.

I signed the property division agreement.

Early the next morning, I walked into his study and placed that agreement on his desk.

Then I walked downstairs, exhausted. Just as I reached the stairway, I saw Asher helping a woman through the front door.

The woman looked pale, her frame delicate, practically leaning her entire body against Asher. She lifted her head, revealing a refined face, her chestnut-red hair gleaming in the sunlight. Her emerald green eyes held a fragile, watery light.

"Asher, I didn't know you had guests at home..." Her voice was so soft it seemed like it would drift away on the wind.

I stood on the stairs, suddenly realizing Asher still hadn't formally introduced me to her.

Three years ago, when Blackwood Group's cash flow broke, Asher proposed to this woman and was rejected. She said she wanted to study abroad, that her career came first. Asher was heartbroken, and under Grandma Blackwood's arrangement, he became my mate. The whole process was so low-key it was like some shameful transaction. For inheritance rights, he needed a marked partner, and I just happened to appear at the right time.

Now she's back.

The woman's gaze fell on me, with just the right amount of surprise. "Hello, I'm Chloe. May I ask who you are..."

She did that on purpose. How could she not smell that I'm Asher's Luna?

Asher's voice rang out coldly. "This is Ember, the second daughter of the Hart family."

Not "my partner," not "my Luna," just "the second daughter of the Hart family."

I gripped the stair railing, my knuckles turning white. "Is Ms. Hamilton back this time to rekindle things with the alpha?"

A flash of awkwardness crossed Chloe's face, then she turned to Asher with a coquettish tone. "Why are you telling everyone about our business?"

She said it so naturally, as if I were the unnecessary outsider.

Asher's expression darkened. "Chloe isn't feeling well, I brought her back to recover. You should move out for the next few days."

My expression froze.

"You mean you want me to return what belongs to its rightful owner?"

Asher frowned but said nothing.

My gaze fell on Chloe's slightly rounded belly. "Is the child in her belly yours?"

Chloe's face instantly turned deathly pale.

I suddenly didn't want to hold back anymore. Three years of being docile, three years of restraint, all turned to nothing in this moment. I looked at Chloe, my voice carrying an unprecedented sharpness.

"When he proposed to you back then, why didn't you marry him?"

The living room fell into a deathly silence. Chloe opened her mouth, momentarily speechless.

"Ember!" Asher's voice suddenly rose. "Are you crazy?"

He strode over, grabbed my wrist, practically dragging me upstairs.

The bedroom door slammed shut. Asher released me and said angrily:

"I'm about to reject you, don't cause trouble for me at a time like this!"

"Cause trouble?" I raised my head, looking directly into his eyes. "Are you afraid of letting Chloe know you already have a Luna?"

"This has nothing to do with you." His voice was cold as ice.

"Nothing to do with me?" I heard myself laughing, the sound full of bitterness. "Asher, what exactly do you take me for?"

"Know your place!" He finally exploded. "We're just mates! If Grandma hadn't insisted I mark you, do you think you could have comfortably been Luna for three years?"

Those words were like a knife, stabbing hard into my heart.

Three years ago, when Grandma Blackwood came to the Hart family to propose the match, she took one look and chose me. She said my bloodline was docile, suitable for a partner. I had feelings for Asher, thinking this was the Moon Goddess giving me a chance, so I agreed.

Asher threw out an agreement stating a three-year term, after which either party could request a rejection, severing the mate bond. He never publicly acknowledged my identity, never took me to any social events. I lived in this estate like a thief for three years, and aside from Grandma Blackwood, no one gave me a second glance.

I lowered my head, tears finally falling.

Asher's voice softened a bit. "I'll compensate you. Shares, property, enough for you to live comfortably."

I raised my head, looking at him with red-rimmed eyes. "Do you think I married you for money?"

He avoided my gaze and said nothing.

That was my answer.

I took a deep breath, about to tell him about the pregnancy, when urgent knocking suddenly came from outside the door.

"Mr. Blackwood, something's wrong - Ms. Hamilton has fainted downstairs!"