Bound to His Rival

Even through the screen, Vera could imagine how smug Wendy looked. Too bad Vera had no intention of wasting energy on a man who had already soiled himself.

Vera did not reply. She simply lay down on her bed.

Outside, a torrential rain had started pouring at some point.

Vera remembered the first time she met Kieran. It had been raining just as hard.

Ever since that day, whenever it rained, Kieran would stay by her side and comfort her. Now, all she heard were the endless moans coming from the room next door.

Vera lay with her eyes open all night.

The next morning, news of Wendy's pregnancy had already spread throughout the entire pack.

Many wolves were saying she was Kieran's true future Luna, a blessing to the pack.

Vera listened to their gossip without changing her expression. In the downstairs hall, Kieran's mother, Margaret Jones, had arrived at some point.

She sat beside Wendy, gently stroking her stomach with a tender expression. Kieran sat on Wendy's other side, his arm wrapped around her shoulder in a possessive yet gentle hold, creating a perfect family of four.

Vera took a deep breath before walking down the stairs. Hearing the sound, Margaret quickly stood and walked toward Vera.

Her eyes held pity and guilt as she reached out to stroke Vera's head gently.

"Child, thank you for being so understanding with Kieran."

Vera blinked rapidly, forcing down the tears gathering in her eyes.

"There's no need to thank me. You and the pack raised me. I know what I should and shouldn't do."

Margaret sighed, gripping Vera's hand even tighter.

"Vera, I know you and Kieran grew up together and your bond is strong, but... pups are essential for the pack's bloodline. Wendy is carrying a pup. She's a great contributor to the werewolves.”

"I hope you can hand over the Luna ring."

Vera froze in place.

The Luna ring symbolized status. It was also the engagement ring Kieran had given her.

She instinctively covered her middle finger and looked toward Kieran. But Kieran avoided her gaze.

Vera laughed softly. "Is this your decision, Kieran?"

Kieran clenched his fists and slowly nodded. "Yes. Vera, the ring doesn't mean anything. The one I love is you. It'll always be you..."

He wanted to say more sweet words, but when he met Vera's eyes, he could not speak.

Seeing this, Vera pulled her lips into a slight smile, her voice quiet. "Fine. I'll give it to her."

Vera released Margaret's hand and removed the ring she had never taken off since the day she first wore it.

Wendy's eyes lit up. She strode over to Vera and eagerly slipped the ring onto her own finger.

"Thank you, Ms. Nightingale. The Alpha is only doing this for the pup in my belly. He still loves you in his heart.”

"Besides, after all these years between you and the Alpha, I'm sure you wouldn't want anything to happen to the Alpha's pup, would you?"

Wendy grabbed Vera's hand despite her resistance.

She leaned in close and lowered her voice. "But Ms. Nightingale, who do you think matters more? You, or the pup in my belly?"

Before Vera could understand what Wendy meant, Wendy suddenly grabbed Vera's hand and shoved it forward.

Then she screamed and fell backward.

"Wendy!" Kieran's pupils contracted. He lunged toward Wendy and caught the she-wolf securely in his arms.

Margaret finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Wendy clutched at Kieran's clothes, choking out, "Ms. Nightingale, I know you don't like me, but this is the Alpha's pup! How could you...”

"My stomach... Alpha, my stomach hurts so much..."

Wendy's face went deathly pale. She screamed once and then passed out in Kieran's arms.

"Wendy!" Kieran's voice was urgent.

Vera grabbed his arm, panicked. "I didn't push her! Kieran, you have to believe me!"

"Get away from me!"

Kieran shoved her away. Vera fell heavily to the ground, her head slamming into the corner of a table. Blood poured from the wound.

Yet neither Kieran nor his mother spared Vera a single glance.

Before she lost consciousness, all Vera saw was Kieran's retreating back.

Was he really doing this for the pup in Wendy's belly, or was it for the she-wolf herself?