Chapter 2
The sound of shoes on the floor grew closer.
He walked up to the couch and bent down slightly, his voice gentle and tinged with concern.
“Why didn’t you turn on the lights? The maid said you didn’t eat… Is your stomach bothering you again?”
He reached out, gently brushing aside the hair on my forehead. His brows furrowed in genuine concern.
“Lauren, what’s wrong?”
He knelt down, his palm covering the back of my hand as he spoke softly,
“You have to eat—it’s not good for the child.”
I stared at him. At his tender, considerate expression.
So… love could be acted out after all.
Four years ago, at my Mating Ceremony, it was Landon who stepped forward and made me his Luna.
Back then, I thought he was the one who had pulled me out of my nightmare.
After becoming his Luna, I supported him, helped him strengthen his pack, year after year.
This year, with the help of a witch, we finally conceived a child.
Everything was perfect.
He held me in his arms, saying this child was the gift he had longed for. His smile was gentle, and his eyes so warm they almost melted me.
But it turns out… it was all just another carefully crafted lie.
If he could act—
Why couldn’t I?
I blinked slowly and curved my lips into a faint smile.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
My voice was soft, tinged with fatigue—nothing unusual.
He sighed in relief, coaxing gently,
“Alright. Get some rest early.”
Fine.
Then let’s keep acting for another three days.
In three days, this performance will end.
The next morning, Landon accompanied me to a prenatal checkup.
He was attentive the whole time, asking the doctor countless questions.
The pack doctor chuckled, “Alpha really dotes on Luna.”
He held my hand, his gaze gentle.
“This is a child we’ve waited so long for. Of course I’m going to take good care of both of you.”
As we stepped out of the exam room, we bumped into Megan.
She wore a loose dress. The moment she saw us, a flash of pride flickered in her eyes.
I looked at her belly—conspicuously padded—and sneered.
No wonder she’d said it was “such a coincidence” that we were expecting a child at the same time. She’d been waiting for this moment all along.
She walked over, smiling brightly.
“Lauren, when’s your due date?”
As she spoke, her hand reached toward my belly.
I gave her a cold look—and slapped her hand away.
“What are you doing?” Megan’s expression darkened instantly, A flicker of anger flashed in her eyes.
She opened her mouth to retort—but I lowered my head and pressed a hand to my stomach, voice weak,
“My stomach… it hurts a little…”
She stopped mid-sentence. That smugness on her face disappeared immediately.
Landon supported me at once, concern in his voice,
“Was the checkup too long? Do you want to go back and rest?”
He sounded so worried, but I saw it clearly—
His gaze was on Megan the whole time, silently trying to soothe her.
I lowered my lashes and murmured,
“I’m going to the restroom.”
He frowned, wanting to follow.
I waved a hand. “No need. Just wait for me here.”
He hesitated, then finally nodded.
“Be careful.”
I turned into the restroom.
But the moment the door closed—I saw him hurrying off. Just as I expected.
He’d gone to comfort Megan.
Quietly, I followed. I stood at a distance and watched him coaxing her, his voice low and soft.
Megan pouted, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.
“Do you have feelings for her? She embarrassed me just now and you didn’t even defend me. Are you still holding on to her?”
Landon sighed helplessly.
“I’m just thinking of the child. After all, she’s—”
He didn’t finish.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and took out a delicate jewelry box.
Opening it, he pulled out a brand-new bracelet and gently placed it on her wrist.
“The bracelet you wanted last time—I got it for you.”
Megan’s mood visibly improved. She smiled coyly,
“The stock you recommended last time made me a ton of money. Got anything new for me?”
I stood there watching the scene, suddenly finding it all absurd.
Landon—using everything that once belonged to me to please her.
I turned and walked away.
Pulled out my phone. Dialed a number.
“Hello. Just confirming the time of the procedure.”
“Yes, everything will be ready tomorrow.”
Behind me, familiar footsteps suddenly stopped.
“Tomorrow?” Landon’s voice held a trace of confusion.
“Where are you going?”
I turned around, meeting his gaze with a faint smile.
“I booked a maternity photo shoot. I want to take a family portrait… something to remember this by.”
