You Were Never There

I fell to the ground, looking disheveled, as blood trickled out from the corner of my lips. I couldn't believe this was Liam, whom I had loved since a young age.

For him, I took my responsibility as the Luna of Snowdrifter Pack very seriously. I even used my inheritance from my late parents to expand the influence of his pack, only for him to lay a hand on me for a human.

"Drop it, Liam. You know I don't care about titles and status. All I want is to stay by your side," Mia said to Liam with affection. "Don't hurt your marriage because of me."

Once again, she shot me a gleeful smile.

"Liam, even if you don't love me—even hating me to the point you do not want to see me—our daughter is innocent! Didn't you agree to spend time with Cecilia on her birthday?" I shouted at Liam between sobs when I thought of Cecilia's unfulfilled final wish.

"It's just a birthday! I'll make it up to her. As for you, you really didn't have to stalk me in the middle of the night. It's cold out here. Go home and rest early with Cecilia." Liam's tone softened at the mention of Cecilia.

Unbeknownst to him, Cecilia would never enjoy another birthday. My kindhearted daughter now rested in the urn I held.

Why couldn't Liam spend Cecilia's last birthday with her?

"Oh, Liam, was it Cecilia's birthday on that day? I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to come with me to my prenatal checkup if I had known. I could have gone alone."

Mia put on a look of guilt. Caressing her belly, she inched closer to Liam and spoke to him.

I was shell-shocked to learn about Mia's pregnancy and the reason Liam went missing on Cecilia's birthday!

"You—" My heart was torn into pieces. I confronted Liam in disbelief and begged him for an answer.

"Whatever. You don't have to be this confrontational. And don't you dare do anything to Mia's baby. I plan to register his birth in the Snowdrifter Pack royalty," Liam announced without any room for discussion.

He added, "That way, Cecilia will have a playmate. The baby will not threaten your position as the Luna of the Snowdrifter Pack."

"Hah! Liam, you really covered all your bases, didn't you?" I snickered loudly, feeling sorry for my foolish love and for Cecilia.

Stroking the urn in my arms, I thought, "Cecilia had refused to leave the world and hung on until the last second for a father like him."

Liam did not deserve to be Cecilia's father.

"I'm telling you now, so you won't cook up any wicked tricks to sabotage my plans!" Liam pulled Mia into a hug and kissed her on the forehead.

"I have something going on tonight. Go home to Cecilia and tell her I'll celebrate her birthday tomorrow."

Tears flooded down my face. My poor Cecilia did not live to see another day!

"He's right. Sofia, go home and spend time with Cecilia. Isn't she sick now? You got me wondering if you've been faking her sickness since you refuse to leave." Mia sounded concerned, but the look in her eyes suggested otherwise.

"Mia, how I wish you were actually with Cecilia now, you shameless, lowly human!" I could no longer control my emotions and slapped Mia on the face.

"Sofia, are you crazy?"

Liam immediately put me under control using the werewolf spiritual power. I crashed onto the floor, hard, but never once did I let go of Cecilia's urn.

"Get lost!" Liam screamed at me impatiently.

Feeling despaired, I scrambled up, ready to leave.

"Stop!" Liam suddenly called out. "What are you holding?"

"You don't have the right to know."

With that, I left defiantly.