Chapter 4
The potion slid down my throat with a faint bitterness.
I tucked away the empty vial—this was just the first step. The witch said I needed to take it continuously for a month, once every three days. But right now, I had more pressing matters to attend to.
Leaning against the bedframe, I forced myself to calm down. From the Full Moon Festival until now, from eavesdropping to truth to today's confirmation, my rage had slowly solidified from molten lava into hard ice.
Because I knew anger wouldn't solve anything.
I needed evidence. Ironclad evidence.
Just as I was thinking, Kael's footsteps echoed outside the door. I quickly composed myself, adjusting my expression.
"Darling, you've been in the room for so long. Are you feeling better?" Kael pushed open the door, wearing a concerned expression.
"Much better." I smiled gently. "Just a bit tired."
"Then get some rest early." Kael walked over and kissed my forehead. "I have to attend a military council meeting with the border packs tonight. I might be back very late, so don't wait up."
My heart lurched—an opportunity had arrived.
"A meeting this late?" I feigned worry. "Drive safely."
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon." Kael straightened his clothes, completely oblivious to the cold flash in my eyes.
I watched him leave, listening as his footsteps gradually faded, until the sound of the front door closing echoed through the house.
I waited a full ten minutes, making sure he was truly gone, before rising from the bed.
The moonlight grew brighter, streaming through the window lattice and casting mottled shadows on the floor. I stood by the window, gazing at the empty courtyard in the night.
"At least three hours..." I murmured, clenching my fists. "More than enough."
I pushed open the door. The corridor was utterly silent. The servants had all retired for the night, and the entire residence was as quiet as a tomb.
The study was at the end of the corridor.
Moonlight like water poured through the carved window lattice at the study entrance. Standing before the door, I felt my heart had grown as cold as a winter lake.
"It's time." I whispered, pushing open the study door.
The study was wrapped in silence, with only moonlight flowing quietly.
I gently closed the door and took a deep breath, my back against it. This familiar space had once been my favorite place—when Kael handled clan affairs, I would often sit on the sofa reading, sunlight streaming through the window onto us. The scene had been as warm as a fairytale.
But now, I only wanted to tear away this veneer of warmth and see just how much filth lay beneath.
I walked toward the desk. In the moonlight, the documents were neatly arranged—everything appearing so normal, so respectable.
The solid wood desk displayed various files in perfect order, everything seeming so proper. But I knew the filthiest secrets were often hidden beneath the most respectable appearances.
My fingers swept across the bookshelf, finding the mechanism for the hidden compartment behind a volume of Wolf Clan Law—a secret I'd discovered by accident three days after our wedding. Back then, I thought it was just my husband's little secret, even found it endearing.
How ridiculous.
Click.
The concealed drawer slid open, revealing a recording stone emanating a dim glow, along with several private letters sealed with wax.
I picked up the topmost one, my fingers steady as I broke the seal. Honestly, I didn't even know when I'd become this calm. The letter unfolded, Kael's familiar handwriting coming into view:
[Ensure the curse takes effect. She cannot be allowed to get pregnant and bind my plans. Once it's done, your compensation will double. Remember, leave no trace.]
At the bottom, his personal seal.
I smiled.
"Written confirmation..." My voice echoed in the empty study. "My dear husband, how thorough of you. Even for something like this, you needed written assurance. Afraid the witch might turn on you?"
I carefully stored the letter and opened the others. Each one was damning evidence—sickeningly sweet love letters to Sienna, promises of benefits to various pack leaders, and detailed arrangements for the "Heir Plan."
Looking at these words, I suddenly remembered what he'd whispered in my ear on our wedding night: "Elara, you are my destined Luna. I will love you for a lifetime."
A lifetime?
Apparently, in his heart, "a lifetime" was only worth the weight of these secret letters.
"So I was always just a tool in your eyes, from beginning to end." I photographed all the letters for backup, then returned them to the hidden compartment exactly as I found them. "But that's alright. Soon you'll learn that tools can bite back."
Next was the recording stone.
I took out the blank recording stone I'd prepared and activated the hidden magical array in the corner of the study—a protective measure my father had secretly arranged before my marriage. I'd thought he was being paranoid at the time. Now I'm only grateful for his foresight.
I scrolled to the late night three days ago and touched the recording stone.
Kael's deep voice emerged: "On my birthday, I'll semi-publicly reveal your identity, let everyone know you're carrying my heir."
Hearing this, my fingers trembled slightly—not from heartbreak, but from fury.
"Really?" Sienna's voice bubbled with excitement, like a child receiving candy.
"Just a title in name only." Kael's tone dripped with contempt. "She can't bear children anyway. At most, I'll give her an honorary Luna title. The real power will be in your hands."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"But she is the Luna blessed by the Moon Goddess..."
"So what?" Kael's cold laugh pierced my heart. "The Luna's blessing can't bear children. Once I have an heir, her so-called sacred status will be nothing but a decoration. Besides, she's already my wife. What's done is done."
What's done is done?
I opened my eyes, the corner of my mouth curling into an icy smile.
"My dear husband, you're about to learn what 'what's done is done' truly means."
I expressionlessly copied the conversation to my own recording stone, then deactivated the array and put everything back in order. As I left the study, I glanced back at that desk.
Once, I'd thought it was where he handled pack affairs, a testament to his efforts for our future.
Now, I knew it was the nest where he wove his lies, the crime scene of his betrayal.
"Soon, all of this will end." I whispered, closing the door.
I returned to my room and lay in bed, waiting for dawn. The evidence had been collected. Now it was time to prepare the final performance.
The morning sunlight was exceptionally bright.
I changed into a pale pink gown and carefully attended to my appearance before the mirror. The woman in the reflection was still beautiful and elegant, only the depths of her eyes concealed a coldness others couldn't see.
These past few days, I'd been practicing how to maintain the perfect smile in front of him.
Honestly, it was easier than I'd imagined.
"Luna, breakfast is ready." The maid called softly outside the door.
"I know, I'll be right down." I took one last look at myself in the mirror, nodding with satisfaction.
Perfect. Flawless.
Downstairs in the dining room, Kael was already seated at the head of the table. Seeing me descend, he immediately stood, his face breaking into a tender smile. "Darling, did you sleep well last night?"
I looked at this familiar face, thinking of the letters I'd seen in the study last night.
But my smile showed no cracks.
"Not bad." I walked to his side, lightly kissing his cheek—a gesture I'd performed countless times, and could still execute flawlessly. "Did you come back late?"
"The military council ran a bit long." Kael wrapped his arm around my waist—a touch that nauseated me, but I forced myself not to pull away. "But it's all for the pack's future. By the way, I have something to tell you."
His eyes sparkled with excitement, like a child about to show off a toy.
I could almost guess what he was going to say.
"You must dress up for my birthday celebration." Kael leaned close to my ear, his voice filled with anticipation. "I've prepared the most special surprise of my life. I guarantee it will shock everyone."
The most special surprise of his life?
I sneered inwardly—his "surprise" was nothing more than publicly revealing Sienna and that bastard child. Did he think I'd be shocked? Devastated? Humiliated in front of everyone?
But on the surface, my smile grew even more tender.
"Really? How exciting." I gently caressed his cheek, my eyes brimming with tenderness. "What a coincidence—I've also prepared a special gift for you."
"What gift?"
"A secret." I winked mysteriously, thinking of that evidence. "But I promise, this gift will be unforgettable for the rest of your life."
Yes, unforgettable for the rest of your life.
Just as your betrayal has been unforgettable for me.
