The Pup He Never Wanted Chapter 03
“I’m here.” I wiped my tears and pushed the door open, my eyes red.
Vivian froze for a second, then cupped my face. “What is it, sweetie? Who upset you? Tell me.”
Her face was the same one I’d known for twenty years. But right now, it just made my stomach churn. I felt like I was going to be sick.
“Maybe the venison last night wasn’t fresh,” I said, burying my face in her shoulder to hide the hatred in my eyes. “My stomach just feels a little off.”
She stroked my hair and took me back to Caden’s villa—the most luxurious residence in the Blackwood Pack’s territory.
Caden was already waiting at the door.
This man, who was caressing another woman’s pregnant belly just two hours ago, now wrapped his arm gently around my waist, his palm resting on my lower abdomen.
“Vivian told me you weren’t feeling well. I made some chicken soup. Have some and then rest, okay?”
I only then noticed the apron tied around his waist. If I hadn’t seen what I saw at the clinic today, I might have never realized that this man, so attentive and caring in my daily life, had always had someone else in his heart.
When we got married, he specifically chose this house on the edge of the Graymark territory so I could be closer to my adoptive parents.
On full moon nights, he would whisper my name in my ear.
But he didn’t love me.
He loved Chloe. For her, he was willing to marry me and play the part of a devoted husband for six long years.
I had to admire his acting skills.
“Marcus, Vivian, stay for dinner,” Caden said, settling me on the couch before heading back to the kitchen.
My parents watched him go. “Our Moon is so lucky to have found such a faithful Alpha.”
My gaze, however, fell on the abstract oil painting in the center of the living room. I never understood why Caden treasured this dark, twisted piece of art enough to hang it here.
It wasn’t until this moment, when my parents walked towards the painting as soon as they entered, that I saw the nearly invisible, stylized letter “C” in the corner of the canvas.
Chloe’s C.
Of course.
The artist was that important, so her work had to be in the most prominent place.
“Dinner’s ready.”
As the dishes were served, I had a sudden realization—for six years, not a single dish Caden cooked was to my taste.
I had always pushed this question to the back of my mind, telling myself: this is what Alpha werewolves prefer to eat. He already does so much for me, I should be the one to accommodate his diet.
But now, I just wanted to ask him:
Is this really what you like to eat?
Or… is it what Chloe likes to eat?
“Moon?” Caden placed a piece of roasted rib on my plate, a worried look on his face. “Why do you look so pale?”
Vivian paused, her tone suddenly a bit stiff. “Seeing you two so happy, Marcus and I can finally feel at ease. It’s just that sometimes… I still think about…”
She didn’t finish, but I knew she meant Chloe. For six years, she would always “casually” bring up that name at the warmest moments. And every time, I would fall silent out of guilt.
Marcus put down his glass, his voice low. “Our informant in the rogue lands says… Chloe is still alive. It’s the fate she deserves, but as parents, we can’t help but worry.”
He looked at me, his tone careful. “Vivian might be a bit emotional for a while—this isn’t your fault, Moon. We know who is responsible for all this. It’s just… sometimes blood is harder to deal with than logic.”