My Alpha mate, Kayden, promised he would only visit his unstable childhood sweetheart, Clara, ninety-nine times. But when I had finally placed the ninety-ninth bean in the jar, I saw him holding Clara in a tight embrace. I stopped crying and begging him not to go to her after that. I simply asked him for a guardian sigil for a wolf pup, a gift for our coming child. The mention of our child softened his expression. “Wait for me to get back. I’ll go with you to the pack infirmary for the prenatal check-up.” I obediently hummed in agreement. I didn’t tell him that ten days ago, I had already submitted an application to the Pack Elders to sever our mate bond. According to the laws of the pack, we were no longer mates. … Ten days after submitting my application, I ran into Kayden in the hallway of the pack infirmary. He was carefully supporting Clara, treating her like a rare treasure. But the moment he saw me, Kayden’s brow furrowed. “What are you doing here? Are you trying to cause trouble for Clara again?” He watched me with a guarded look, the chill in his eyes piercing my heart. Clara clung to Kayden’s arm and looked at me apologetically. “Ava, don’t misunderstand. Kayden is just worried about me.” Then, her eyes drifted down to my stomach. “I heard you were admitted to the infirmary too. Is the baby okay?” Before I could answer, Kayden rushed to comfort her. “It’s probably just emotional stress affecting the pregnancy. It’ll be fine.” “Don’t overthink it. The most important thing is for you to take care of yourself.” I subconsciously touched my belly, a bitter taste filling my mouth. Right, how could anything be wrong? It’s just that our little pup… was already gone. How could that possibly be more important than Clara’s health? Otherwise, why wouldn’t Kayden have visited me even once, despite knowing I was in the very same infirmary? If he had just bothered to look in on my room, even for a moment, he would have known. Our child, the one destined to inherit the Alpha title, was gone. I forced a smile and my hand found the glass jar in my pocket, warmed by my body heat. Ever since Clara returned, Kayden would disappear every few days to be with her. He said: “Clara has always been sensitive, and now her mental state is fragile. If I’m not with her, what if she hurts herself?” “Don’t worry, I just don’t want her to do something stupid. I don’t have any other feelings for her.” He promised me he would only stay with Clara ninety-nine times. After the ninety-ninth time, he would return to our family for good, fulfilling his duties as my Alpha mate. So every time he left, I would place a single bean in a glass jar. Seven days ago, I finally put in the ninety-ninth bean. But when I went to find him, full of hope, I saw Kayden holding Clara tightly in his arms. I was his Luna, his wife. Yet in that moment, I could only stand on the street corner, a spectator to his tender moment with another woman. “What are you two doing?” I walked toward them, my eyes red, my voice trembling with heartbreak. Kayden released Clara as if he’d been shocked, his eyes filled with panic. “Ava, don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you think.” I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, Clara cut in. “It’s all my fault. I’m bothering you two, I’m so sorry.” “Kayden, just leave me alone from now on. Let me just go die somewhere.” With that, she darted into the street and was clipped by a speeding pickup truck. Kayden’s face went pale. He violently shoved me aside and rushed to cradle Clara in his arms. I didn’t have time to react. The force of his push sent me crashing to the ground. A sharp, dull pain shot through my abdomen. I reached down with a trembling hand and it came back covered in sticky, red blood. “My baby… my baby… my pup…” “Kayden, my Alpha!” I clutched my stomach, desperately calling his name, praying he would just look back at me. Kayden paused for a second and turned his head, but his eyes were filled with hatred. “Ava! You know Clara is unstable, so why would you provoke her!” “If anything happens to Clara, I will never forgive you!” “Let this be a lesson to you. Stay the hell away from her from now on!” Then, he lifted Clara into his Ford SUV and sped away. In the end, it was a kind stranger who couldn’t bear to watch any longer who took me to the hospital. The doctor told me I had lost the baby. Lying in that hospital bed, replaying the image of Kayden leaving me, my vision blurred with tears. Kayden Blackwood, I promise you. From this day on, I will never go near you again. You are free. My thoughts returned to the present. Kayden seemed oblivious to my pale face, simply reminding me in a flat tone: “If there’s nothing else, go back to your room. As a member of this pack, be considerate and don’t take up unnecessary medical resources.” I nodded. “Okay.” Kayden continued, “I have to stay with Clara for the next few days. Don’t come looking for me unless it’s an emergency.” I nodded again. “Okay.” Perhaps my calm reaction was too much for him, because Kayden actually paused.
He let go of Clara and took two steps toward me. “Are you… feeling okay?” “Once Clara’s emotions have stabilized, I’ll schedule a proper prenatal check-up for you.” I just grunted in response, pretending not to see the venomous glare Clara shot my way. As I walked past him, I caught his scent. A faint fragrance of wild jasmine. It was the essential oil Clara always used. Kayden must have held Clara in his arms quite a lot during these days in the infirmary. Otherwise, how could this scent that wasn't mine have soaked so deeply into his clothes and skin? When I got home, my next-door neighbor, Maria, was just heading out. She jumped when she saw how pale I was. “Oh heavens, Ava, why do you look so pale?” “Did something happen? Your scent… it’s filled with sorrow.” I managed a weak smile, but my eyes welled up with tears. So, I really did look that awful. So, other people could see that something was wrong with me. But my Alpha, my mate, how could he be so blind? It had been seven days. Even a single word of concern… would have been enough. Seeing that I wasn’t talking, Maria didn’t press further. She just gently helped me inside and sat me down. That evening, Maria brought over a large bowl of rich beef stew. “Ava, you’re already frail, and now you’re carrying a pup. You need to build up your strength.” Maria’s husband was the captain of the pack’s sentinels. With many children, their family wasn’t wealthy. This stew was a precious gift from them. After thanking Maria, I sat at the dining table, lost in thought for a long time. I couldn’t understand. Why could an ordinary pack member show me such kindness, while my own husband, the Alpha of our pack, could cast me aside again and again? This union, witnessed by the Moon Goddess herself, felt like a joke. With a sigh, I carefully lifted the bowl to my lips. Just as I was about to take a sip, the courtyard gate was pushed open. “Ava, I’m back.” Kayden walked in, carrying a few changes of clothes. I looked at him, surprised. “Why are you back? Don’t you need to be with Clara?” Kayden set the clothes down and replied casually, “The doctor said Clara’s condition has stabilized, but I’m still worried. I’m having her stay a few more days for observation.” “So, I came back to grab some essentials.” I hummed in acknowledgment, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said that morning. “Be considerate and don’t take up unnecessary medical resources.” It seemed that when it came to Clara, all the rules were different. I think my heart had truly died, because I didn’t even have the energy to argue. I lowered my eyes, about to drink my soup, when Kayden, who had finished packing, suddenly spoke up. “Did you make beef stew?” “Don’t drink it yet. Clara is weak, this will be perfect for her recovery.” My hand froze, the bowl still in my grasp. I stared at him, stunned. “Maria made this specifically for me.” Kayden acted as if he hadn’t heard me, already pulling a thermos from the cabinet. “I know your body. It doesn’t matter if you drink this or not.” “Let Clara have it this time. Next time, I’ll take you to the best restaurant in town.” Those familiar words brought back a flood of memories. “Ava, I’m giving the first choice at the Hunting Festival to Clara this time. I’ll make it up to you next time.” “Ava, don’t go to the Moonlight Gala. Give your spot to Clara. I’ll invite you to the next event.” “Ava, Clara wants to meet my inner circle. You should skip the Beta and Gamma gathering this time. I’ll bring you next time.” “Ava…” So many next times. So many I couldn’t even count them all. While I was lost in my daze, Kayden had already poured the beef stew into the thermos. He offered a dismissive word of concern. “I’m heading out. Take care of yourself at home.” He turned to leave, and the corner of his jacket brushed against the soup bowl on the table. CRASH! The bowl hit the floor, shattering into pieces, just like my heart. “Kayden.” I called out to him and pulled the glass jar with the ninety-nine beans from my pocket. “Ninety-nine beans. Count them.” Kayden’s back went rigid. He turned around, his face a mask of shock. “Is it… really time?” I nodded. “It is.” Kayden set down the thermos, his expression troubled. I didn’t say a word, just quietly waited for his answer. It was just as I expected. After only a moment’s hesitation, Kayden spoke. “Ava, Clara can’t be left alone right now…” A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes, but he continued anyway. “Our promise… let’s just call it off.” I lowered my gaze and let out a soft sigh. “Okay.” Kayden was stunned. He couldn’t believe I had agreed so easily. He rushed over and hugged me. “Ava, you’re so understanding.” “Don’t worry, as soon as Clara is fully recovered, I promise I’ll spend all my time with you.” I just hummed, and made a single request. “Our child will be born soon. I want a guardian sigil.” At the mention of the child, Kayden’s expression softened even more.
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