In the Shadow of Lies

Daisy Blackthorn was the adopted daughter of Ronan Blackthorn, Alpha of Darkmoon Pack. With her striking beauty and graceful demeanor, she was admired by many in the pack.

But her true origins remained a mystery. Rumor had it that her parents were executed for treason. After being brought back to the pack, Daisy hid behind a mask of innocence and climbed her way up step by step to where she stood today.

She stole my fiancé, Ryan, and she was also Andrew's unattainable first love.

It turned out that Andrew had never forgotten her. He even married me to cover up his obsession with her.

Our entire marriage, our so-called love, was nothing but an act. I had underestimated the depth of his feelings for Daisy and his acting skills.

A soft clink broke the silence as Andrew's phone slipped from his pocket. I bent down to pick it up just as a new message popped up on the screen.

"Thank you for risking so much to get me the diamond, Andrew, but I can't accept it. It's too precious."

Then, out of instinct, I tapped into Instagram. Daisy's latest post appeared at the top.

"Love is priceless."

The attached photo was a legendary diamond known across the entire wolf pack.

Rumor had it that it was the most coveted prize in the Werewolf Arena, where the strongest warriors fought to claim it.

With their lives on the line, they wagered everything for this gem. It was hailed as the most precious artifact in werewolf history.

I knew Daisy had posted it for me to see.

For months, Andrew had been training relentlessly from dawn till dusk. Last week, he even collapsed from exhaustion and ended up in the emergency room.

But the moment he regained consciousness, he was ready to continue battling with warriors from other packs.

I thought he was pushing himself so hard to protect the pack to the point that he was neglecting his own well-being, but only later did I find out that he had been fighting in the Werewolf Arena.

Even though he was covered in wounds and barely able to stand, he still pushed through and won the duel, all to earn that priceless diamond for Daisy. He hid everything from me and chose to risk his life just for the sake of her smile.

A sharp pain twisted in my heart as my trembling fingers hovered over Andrew's phone's lock screen. The password prompt glowed in front of me.

He never let me touch his phone. But without thinking, I entered a familiar set of numbers.

The screen unlocked instantly. His password was Daisy's birthday.

As soon as it unlocked, Daisy's radiant smile filled my vision. No wonder Andrew's expression always softened whenever he unlocked his phone.

As I tapped into his gallery, my heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

"Daisy's Smile Collection."

"Daisy's 10th to 18th Birthday Parties."

"Daisy's First Ball."

The photos stretched endlessly, with folders upon folders all named after Daisy. Andrew had carefully kept all images from her childhood to every smile she had as an adult. But I couldn't find a single photo of myself—not even one.

I opened the notes app and accidentally tapped on his hidden diary.

"I got married today. The moment I saw Daisy at the wedding, I wished the person standing beside me was her.

"Daisy had an allergic reaction to the argent lilies. It's my fault. I shouldn't have allowed them to grow in the garden.

"Today marked round 13 of the duel in Werewolf Arena. My shoulder was broken, and my left arm was torn, but I couldn't stop. I had to win. For Daisy. She deserves the best the world has to offer.

"Her eyes are so bright. Only the most precious diamond can match the brilliance of her gaze.

"Tomorrow is her birthday. I'll put the diamond around her neck myself, no matter the cost."

As I stared at the screen, my body froze with a cold that seemed to seep into my bones.

I looked up sharply, my eyes catching the wilted argent lilies outside. That place used to be a sea of blooms, planted by Dad ten years ago. It was the last piece of him he left behind for me.

But one day, all the flowers started to rot. I broke down, crying uncontrollably. Andrew held me for three whole days and nights, comforting me.

I finally understood now. He was the one who had destroyed that sea of flowers. He had ruined the only thing Dad left for me.

Just then, a message from his lawyer popped up.

"Your will has been finalized according to your instructions. All your assets will be bequeathed to Ms. Daisy Blackthorn. It's now ready for your signature to make it official."

Through my blurred vision, I thought I saw the man who had held me close at the funeral and promised me the world.

"I'll give you a home, Eleanor. Everything I have is yours."

So all of it was just another lie he told me.