Chapter 2

Back at our room, it was already late at night.

Moonlight filtered through the gauze curtains onto the king-sized bed in the bedroom. I lay with my back to Kael, eyes bloodshot and wide open. The words from the Full Moon Festival still echoed in my ears like a blunt knife, each word tearing at my heart.

"Darling, you seem tired tonight. Was the celebration too exhausting?"

Kael's gentle voice came from behind me, those hands that once enchanted me now caressing my shoulder. I closed my eyes, suppressing the urge to shake him off.

These same hands—they touch Sienna's belly too, don't they?

"Just a bit of a headache. Your concern makes me feel better." I turned around, forcing a perfect smile, my voice sugar-sweet as if nothing had happened.

A flash of surprise crossed Kael's eyes, quickly replaced by a satisfied smile. "I can't bear to see you suffer. Tomorrow I'll have Sienna prepare some tonics for you."

Tonics? I sneered inwardly. For your mistress and her bastard child, no doubt?

"You're always so thoughtful." My voice remained soft as I reached up to caress Kael's face, though my fingertips felt cold as ice. "I'm so lucky to have such a perfect husband."

"Elara..." Kael seemed flustered by my sudden initiative, gazing deeply into my eyes. "You're especially beautiful tonight, like the Moon Goddess herself."

The Moon Goddess? I almost laughed out loud. Would the Moon Goddess be betrayed by those she trusted most?

"Then let the Moon Goddess bless you." I brushed a light kiss against the corner of Kael's lips, then closed my eyes. "I'm a bit tired. You should rest early too."

Kael pulled me closer, satisfied, and soon drifted into sleep. But I lay staring at the pitch-black ceiling, my heart hammering in my chest. Each time Kael's breath touched my neck, I wanted to retch.

Eighteen months! Eighteen months of sweet words—all lies!

At 2 AM, Kael quietly got up. I immediately closed my eyes, watching through my lashes as he tiptoed toward the door.

The moment the door closed softly, my eyes snapped open. The gentleness vanished without a trace, replaced by an icy coldness.

I activated my telepathic gift, my mental energy extending like invisible tendrils until it locked onto Kael's location—the servants' quarters, Sienna's room.

"This baby is killing me, my back is killing me." Sienna's coquettish voice reached my consciousness clearly. "When are you going to give me official status? I'm sick of being a damn servant."

"Be patient, baby." Kael's tenderness made me want to vomit. "Once the child is born, I'll give you Luna status. That barren bitch will have to step down eventually."

At these words, my heart nearly stopped. Waste? That's what I am to him?

"She was so high and mighty at the celebration today," Sienna laughed lightly. "I wonder if she'd cry her eyes out if she knew the truth? I'd love to see that noble face twisted in despair."

So this is how you mock me behind my back. My nails dug deep into my palms, blood trickling between my fingers.

"Let her cry." Kael sneered. "The eighteen-month charade is almost over anyway. Once our child is born, she'll know her true worth."

"Eighteen months..." Sienna repeated the number. "You're such a cold-blooded bastard, calculating the time so precisely."

"It's called being rational, baby." Kael said smugly. "The strong deserve everything, including the power to choose."

I slowly sat up, moonlight washing over my face. An eighteen-month game? To him, I wasn't even worth being called a toy—just a tool with an expiration date.

I rose and walked to the vanity. The woman in the mirror had hollow eyes, as if her soul had already died. But slowly, my eyes began to burn—not with the flame of love, but with the hellfire of revenge.

"Kael, since you treated me like a game..." I whispered to my reflection, "I'll show you what a real game looks like."

---

The next morning, when Kael woke from his sleep, he saw a version of me he'd never seen before.

I wore a pale pink silk robe, pruning roses by the window, sunlight gilding my golden hair. Hearing movement behind me, I turned with a sweet smile.

"Good morning, my love."

The words stunned Kael. In our eighteen months of marriage, I'd never been this proactive in expressing affection.

"You... you're in a good mood today?" he asked tentatively.

"Of course." I set down the scissors and walked to him in a few steps, rising on tiptoe to kiss the corner of his lips. "I had a wonderful dream last night—about us having a child."

Kael's pupils contracted instantly, but he quickly recovered. "A child... we'll have one. We're still young."

We'll have one? Your child is already three months along in Sienna's belly. I sneered inwardly while maintaining my sweet smile.

"Mm." I nodded. "Do you have any plans today? I want to spend more time with you. It feels like we haven't had quality time together in so long."

"You're being especially affectionate today—makes me not want to deal with pack business." Kael pulled me into his embrace, his eyes gleaming with possessiveness. "I like you like this."

I know you do. I sneered inwardly. Because this version of me is easier to control.

"I'll prepare breakfast." I stroked Kael's chest. "Anything special you'd like?"

"Your company is all I need." Kael said tenderly.

I smiled and left the bedroom, but the moment I was out of Kael's sight, the sweetness vanished from my face entirely.

In the breakfast room, sunlight streamed through French windows onto the white dining table as servants bustled about arranging fine china. I sat elegantly at the head in a white dress, preparing Kael's favorite blueberry scones.

"Luna, you're radiant today." Sienna approached carrying a pot of fresh rose tea, her voice respectful but her eyes gleaming with subtle triumph.

I looked up and gave her a warm smile. "Thank you for the compliment, Sienna."

"Shall I remake your breakfast?" Sienna deliberately bent over to set down the teapot, making her slightly protruding belly more obvious. "I've heard that pregnant women's dietary preferences can be contagious to women around them."

This bitch! Flaunting it right in front of me! Rage burned in my heart, but my smile didn't waver. I gently set down my silver spoon and slowly lifted my gaze to Sienna.

"Sienna, you've had quite an appetite lately." My voice remained gentle, but my eyes held an inexplicable chill. "Be careful—gaining weight might affect your work performance."

Sienna's smile froze on her face. "I... I'm just..."

"Hmm?" I tilted my head slightly, the gesture as graceful as a swan but my eyes as cold as winter starlight. "You're just what?"

At that moment, Kael entered and immediately sensed the subtle tension between the two women.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Nothing." I stood and walked to Kael's side, linking my arm through his. "Just discussing Sienna's physical condition. I think her work performance has been a bit... swollen lately."

I deliberately emphasized the word "swollen," and Sienna's face turned pale as a sheet.

"As Luna, it's my duty to care about every pack member's health." I turned to Sienna, my voice gentle but filled with unquestionable authority. "Remember your place. Don't make me repeat myself."

Sienna finally realized the true identity of the woman before her—I was the Luna of the Stormwind Pack, while she was merely a low-ranking Omega.

"Yes... yes, Luna." Sienna said in a trembling voice. "I'll remember."

"Good." I nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Kael, switching back to a sweet smile. "Darling, breakfast is ready. Your favorite blueberry scones."

Kael watched me tenderly pouring his tea, a wave of satisfaction washed over him. If only you knew I was planning your destruction, would you still feel so satisfied?

"By the way, darling." I said softly. "I've been feeling a bit unwell lately. I'd like to see a healer for a checkup. Maybe... maybe it's good news."

Kael's hand trembled slightly, nearly dropping his teacup. "A healer? That's not necessary. It's probably just the change of season."

"But I want to be sure." A cold glint flashed in my eyes.

Eighteen months—why haven't I been able to conceive?

I suddenly recalled that post-wedding examination when Kael insisted on using his recommended "authoritative witch" instead of the royal physician my father had sent...

"Of course, if you think it's necessary." Kael forced a smile.

I smiled with satisfaction. The game has only just begun, my dear husband.

Step one: Find out exactly what you did to me.