Chapter 2

Dr. Salazar, just tell me the truth. Has my pup already stopped moving?

I never imagined I would be so calm when asking this question. Perhaps my heart had already grown numb.

Dr. Salazar adjusted his glasses, avoiding eye contact with me. Eventually, he sighed and said, "Luna, without Alpha Martin's consent, I shouldn't tell you this, but your pup stopped moving two months ago…"

He didn't have the heart to finish the sentence. He knew how much harm a lifeless pup inside the womb for two months could cause, but he wanted me to give up any hope and consider adopting another child.

I spoke calmly to him, "Dr. Salazar, I need your help with something. After the surgery, can you tell him that I died on the operating table?"

Dr. Salazar's face was full of conflict. "Alright, I promise you."

As I stepped out of the examination room, I saw Aspen Baker taking a walk, assisted by Waylon Martin. The moment he met my gaze, Waylon looked flustered, quickly letting go of Aspen and rushing over to support me.

"Luna, I've been looking everywhere for you. How did you end up alone? It's dangerous."

His chest bore fresh, reddened scratch marks, evidence of the passionate encounter he'd just had.

I managed a sarcastic smile. Yes, it's dangerous—dangerous that I might catch him cheating.

"Just feeling unwell, came out to ask Dr. Salazar a few questions."

I replied coolly, keeping my distance from him.

Aspen approached, unable to hide the resentment in her eyes, her smile tinged with ambiguity. "Luna, Alpha Martin sure is worried about you. He started looking for you just two minutes after you left."

Her sarcasm was unmistakable.

Before I could say anything, Waylon snapped at her, his expression sour. "Mind your own business! Go away!"

He used impatience and indifference to mask his secret relationship with Aspen. But as I watched her leave, his concern for her was evident.

I noticed Aspen wore a locket around her neck, much like mine but slightly different.

Back in my hospital room, I searched online for lockets and realized mine was not quite the same. According to the internet, if the lockets are not identical, it could harm the wearer and affect the pup's health.

It turned out that my locket was a knock-off, whereas Aspen's was the real deal. When I first got pregnant, Waylon didn't seem thrilled; his expression remained neutral. Until he visited the cathedral, spent a day and night on his knees, and copied scriptures for three days to obtain the locket.

I repeatedly comforted myself, thinking he was just not very expressive, and was touched by his actions. But it was all a lie; the locket was intended for Aspen.

The locket was fake, and so was his love.

Waylon peeled an apple and offered it to me, but I turned away, leaving him puzzled. After a moment, he asked hesitantly, "Luna, did you answer a call from me this morning?"

His face was anxious, waiting for my reply. The longer I remained silent, the more uneasy he became. He asked again, "What did you hear?"

I turned my face away, exhausted, and replied, "No, your phone was nowhere near me. I accidentally knocked it to the ground."

Waylon sighed in relief, his usual smile returning as he tucked the blanket around me carefully.

In a gentle voice, he asked, "If our pup can't be born successfully… Can we adopt a child?"

Clearly, he was eager to fulfill his promise to Aspen.

I smirked and asked him, "Do you remember what vow you made when we became mates?"

"You said, 'I, Waylon Martin, Alpha of the Martin Pack, take you, Zendaya Martin, as my mate, to cherish and protect, to honor and respect, for as long as the moon shines.'"

The irony was bitter. Promises, no matter how beautiful, are like shooting stars—bright but fleeting.

Waylon looked at me in panic, shaking his head emphatically, "Luna, I would never betray you! Please believe me!"

I chuckled dryly and buried my head in the pillow. "I'm tired."

I'm tired of this. I no longer want to play this role in your overly dramatic production.