chapter 5

As his voice faded, Zane rushed in and immediately pulled Scarlett into a tight embrace, holding her for a long moment before finally releasing her.

“Scarlett, why did you leave by yourself? Do you have any idea how worried I was? I was going out of my mind looking for you.”

His voice was strained with anxiety, and he genuinely seemed concerned.

But Scarlett simply watched him quietly, her face unreadable. They stood in silence for what felt like ages before Zane finally sensed that something was off and began to sign.

That was when he noticed the suitcase behind her. His expression froze instantly, and his hands stumbled through the gestures, barely forming a complete sentence.

“Why are you packing? Are you… leaving me?”

Watching Zane’s panic and fear, Scarlett almost found it laughable.

If she left, wouldn’t that free him and Cecilia to be together openly? Wasn’t this exactly what he wanted? So who was this performance for?

Scarlett’s voice was eerily calm,

“I came back right after dinner. Sitting there alone was boring. I’m tired of some of these clothes, so I thought I’d donate what I don’t wear anymore.”

Zane let out a long sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.

In his mind, Ron let out a low, arrogant laugh, brimming with certainty, “It’s only natural for an alpha to have more than one partner. She’s just an omega whose wolf hasn’t even awakened—how could she possibly sense what we’re doing? Besides, as an alpha, I need heirs. She’s too weak to carry strong pups. It’s only reasonable to seek offspring elsewhere. As long as she remains the one we love and keeps her title as Luna, that should be enough.”

Hearing Ron’s words, Zane smiled easily, as if soothed by the justification.

But seeing the utter indifference in Scarlett’s eyes, he grew anxious again. He held her tightly, apologizing over and over.

“Scarlett, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. There was an emergency with the pack’s territory agreement—I was so worried I forgot to tell you. I never should have left you alone. I know you’re angry—hit me, shout at me, I’ll take it. Just don’t scare me like this. I’m terrified of losing you…”

As he spoke, tears fell from Zane’s eyes, filled with what looked like genuine remorse.

Scarlett watched it all calmly, her gaze lowered.

No one would ever believe that the dominant alpha of the pack could be brought to his knees, weeping and begging a woman not to leave him.

But she’d only been gone for an hour. What would happen in half a month, when Zane finally realized she was never coming back?

How would he react then?

Scarlett couldn’t understand—if Zane still loved her, why did he keep getting enScarlettled with Cecilia?

In her mind, Amy let out a weak, cold laugh, “Werewolf alphas have stronger urges than ordinary wolves. The more powerful they are, the harder it is to suppress their instincts. Maybe he does love you, but he can’t resist the lure of new flesh.”

A faint, self-mocking smile touched Scarlett’s lips.

She had once naively believed Zane’s love could overcome the wild nature of their kind. In the end, he was just like every other male—unable to escape the pull of desire.

“It’s fine. Pack business comes first.”

The more understanding she was, the more uneasy Zane grew. He swore immediately,

“Scarlett, you mean more to me than anything.”

He wrapped his arms tightly around her leg, pressing his face against her. “You haven’t had your birthday cake yet. I got your favorite—moonflower honey cake. Let’s eat it together and make a wish to the Moon Goddess, alright?”

Zane gazed up at her with his impossibly beautiful face, eyes pleading.

In the past, Scarlett would have melted. But now, she was done playing along. She shook her head.

“Every birthday is the same. I’m tired—I just want to sleep.”

Flustered, Zane agreed at once and went to take a shower alone.

For the next three days, Zane never left Scarlett’s side.

But on the fourth morning, she woke to find him on the balcony, talking on the phone. His tone was soft, his expression tender—as if speaking to someone deeply important.

In the days that followed, Zane even called Cecilia right in front of her, slipping out at night as though it were routine.

As for what he was doing—the familiar, stabbing pain in her chest told her everything she needed to know.

Then, Zane’s best friend was about to seal his mate-bond and wanted to meet up before the ceremony.

After returning from the restroom, Scarlett opened the door to the private room and overheard the group discussing mate fatigue.

Zane’s friend, Jason, joked,

“Zane, you and Luna have been bonded almost four years now, right? Tell me—is there really such a thing as mate fatigue?”

Hearing this, Scarlett paused at the door, then walked in as if she’d noticed nothing.

The room fell silent. Zane immediately came over, took her hand, and led her to the sofa—pouring tea, offering fruit, doting on her anxiously.

Noticing the awkward tension, Jason cleared his throat and said, “Just say it, Zane. Luna can’t hear us anyway.”