Chapter 4

Not long after, I received a message with a voice recording. The soft rustle of clothing filled the line, followed by Jeremy's uneven breaths. I knew what this sound was all too well. After all, this was the last thing I heard before going to sleep on most nights. Plus, with the faint slippery sounds, it went without saying what they were doing. A few minutes later, Jeremy's breathing grew heavier as he said, "Rebecca, if it weren't for my pack and for the responsibilities I carry, I'd spend my whole life with you. "However, my position doesn't allow such freedom. I can only ask you to bear with it." Rebecca's voice was practically dripping with honey. "Jeremy, I don't mind. If it weren't for your sudden heat, you and I might never have had the chance to get together. In a way, I already feel grateful. "I do feel sorry for the Luna, but I can't hold back my feelings for you. I'll make it up to her in the future." Jeremy said in a hardened tone, "You're already suffering enough by carrying my pup before we become mates. I can't make you suffer more. "Shirley is too willful. Once I've straightened her out, I'll make her take care of you and the pup. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease." Every single word rang crystal clear in my ears. It felt like a knife had pierced straight toward my heart and twisted cruelly. Tears blurred my vision, and I buried myself under the blanket. I barely slept that night. In my dreams, Jeremy swore to the Moon Goddess that he would love me for life. In the next moment, he grabbed my throat and threatened to take my life if I didn't take care of Rebecca. By dawn, I sat up in bed as I was unable to fall asleep. A few minutes later, I received a phone call from Hayden. I could tell that he seemed excited. "Shirley, did you sleep well? I'm already at the gate of your pack. Would you like to come out?" I was jolted awake and glanced at the time. It was only six in the morning—neither the ring shop nor the bridal boutique was even open yet. Diane was thrilled. "It's so obvious whether one loves us or not. One wakes up at dawn just to see you, while the other literally just abandons you." Naturally, I could feel it too. A warmth rose in my chest. Before I could reply, I heard him talking again. "My beloved Luna, would you honor me by coming out for a walk at your future pack?" I rubbed my temples when I heard his nickname for me. It was only then that I remembered we had already completed our mating ceremony. We were now officially recognized by the Moon Goddess as mates. The mark on my neck seemed to have sensed Hayden's presence and faintly heated up. When I touched it and found it to be smooth, I realized it had already healed overnight. A few minutes later, Hayden's breathing grew hurried on the other end. "Shirley, you haven't regretted, right?" His tone seemed tense and distressed. "Shirley, you can't do this to me. We have already completed the ceremony under the Moon Goddess. "We've been together for less than a day. Are you going to dump me so quickly? I can't believe how pitiful I am. I got dumped by my mate after exhausting myself for the pack's affairs." He continued to sob, "Where is my Luna?" I couldn't help but let out a small sigh. I knew he was being deliberately dramatic to ease my awkwardness and make me laugh. I spoke gently. "No, I didn't regret it." Laughter bloomed on the other end immediately. … Half an hour later, I met up with Hayden and headed to the Eclipse pack. This was the first time I was visiting his pack. The Eclipse pack was newly established. Despite being less than ten years old since its founding, it was quite an achievement that they were already one of the top five packs. Along the way, all the she-wolves and werewolves across different ranks would greet me, "Luna." By the time we reached the house, my head was filled with an endless chorus of Lunas. Hayden looked at me with a teasing grin. "Shirley, you’ll have to get used to this. From now on, you're the Luna of the Eclipse pack, and mine alone." When I noticed his domineering gaze, I jeered at him, "How shameless." We had lunch in the Eclipse pack before heading out to select items for the ceremony. It was just my luck that I saw Rebecca coming over when I picked up a ring. Her hands were filled with shopping bags as she hooked her arm around Jeremy's.