Chapter 25
Chapter 25
The sound of wedding bells echoed through the ancient wolf pack temple, silver moonlight streaming through the stained glass windows, casting a glow on Mira’s face, her expression more serene and content than ever before.
As she exchanged vows with Riven, the feeling of release was almost overwhelming. For the first time in years, she felt truly understood, truly seen–no longer a shadow of someone else, no longer twisting her nature to earn love.
Riven loved her exactly as she was–her strength, her vitality, her wildness. He never asked her to suppress herself to fit some “perfect Luna” standard. Instead, he encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
“You want to design jewelry?” When she first told him about the dream she had buried for years, Riven’s eyes lit up. “The Lunargent Pack controls the largest silver mines in Europe. Those resources can provide the finest materials for your creations.”
With Riven’s support, Mira finally had the opportunity to rediscover her talent. She established her workshop in Lunargent territory and began designing unique jewelry pieces that blended ancient werewolf traditions with modern aesthetics.
Her designs quickly caused a sensation. The pieces weren’t merely decorative–each told a story, carried an emotion. The most popular collection was “Rebirth,” inspired by her own journey–from a lost shadow to someone who reclaimed her inner fire.
As her reputation grew, her business flourished. The Lunargent silver mines provided incomparable materials for her creations, while Riven’s support gave her unlimited freedom. Within a few years, her brand expanded from Europe to North America, attracting attention and orders from other packs.
As her career blossomed, Mira and Riven’s love grew stronger, pure and intense as moonlight. Their union soon produced the fruit of their love–a handsome little boy named Alex, with his father’s golden hair and his mother’s expressive eyes.
Alex’s arrival made Mira’s life complete. She was both a successful jewelry designer and the Luna of Lunargent Pack, as well as a devoted mother. Riven watched her navigate these multiple roles with ease, his eyes filled with pride and love.
As her business expanded, Mira needed to travel frequently between Europe and North America, overseeing new shop openings, attending important jewelry exhibitions, and seeking new sources of inspiration.
Riven understood her ambitions and never complained about her busy schedule. Instead, he always carefully looked after Alex, ensuring that when Mira returned, she would find a healthy, happy son and a warm home.
Years of happiness flowed by like running water.
However, fate always enjoys playing tricks on people.
An unexpected blow disrupted this peaceful existence. While Mira was working in North America, she received devastating news–her mother had passed away in a hunting accident. The news struck like lightning, shattering her strong exterior.
— Condhen. No Longer a Stand–In for His Forbidden Love
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Chapter 25
For years, her mother had been her strongest support, the only relative who had witnessed her painful history with Lucien. Her mother’s departure left Mira feeling unprecedentedly lonely and lost.
Her father, who should have been by her side immediately, was busy with his new life. Less than three months after her mother’s passing, he announced his remarriage–to a beautiful red–haired woman, adopting her daughter Linda as his stepdaughter.
This news felt like salt in Mira’s wounds. Her father’s affection for his stepdaughter Linda far exceeded the attention. he had ever given Mira, as if compensating for some debt.
More surprisingly, Linda was not an ordinary werewolf–she was a member of the Lunargent Pack and had known Riven since childhood. In fact, before Riven bonded with Mira, Linda had always been considered the most likely
candidate to become Lunargent’s Luna.
Mira never imagined that Linda harbored hostility toward her, much less that Linda had always secretly loved Riven. The truth was, Linda had never truly given up her feelings for Riven, but had buried them deeply, waiting for the right opportunity.
Now, as Mira’s stepsister, she had the perfect excuse to appear frequently in their home.
The silver mine expansion absorbed all of Riven’s attention. Busy negotiating with various forces to ensure Lunargent’s interests were maximally protected, he hardly had time to notice Linda’s subtle maneuvers.
Far away in North America, Mira, immersed in work and mourning for her mother, was completely unaware of the changes occurring at home. Her mental link with Riven had become blurred due to the distance, sometimes even completely silent.
Linda seized this perfect opportunity. Using her position as Mira’s stepsister, she often “thoughtfully” helped care for Alex, and even brought warm dinners and caring words when Riven was most exhausted. She was skilled in various social tactics, always appearing when Riven needed support the most, offering just the right comfort.
Initially, Riven only viewed Linda as family and friend. But as time passed, under Linda’s carefully planned gentle offensive, he began to unconsciously look forward to her arrival and enjoy her company.
More worryingly, young Alex was quickly captivated by Linda. She took him to explore the wonders of the silver mines, taught him traditional werewolf games, told him ancient Lunargent legends–all the parent–child moments Mira had missed due to her work.
Linda skillfully planted seeds in Alex’s mind–if Mira wasn’t around, the three of them could form a “more complete” family.
“Alex, I’ve always thought of you as my own child,” she would often whisper in Alex’s ear. “How wonderful it would be if I could always take care of you and your father.”
Six months later, when Mira finally completed her work in North America and prepared to return, she found that Lunargent territory had undergone earth–shattering changes. Riven appeared very busy, barely having time to welcome her. And Linda seemed to have quietly occupied the position that should have been hers–in the lives of
Riven and Alex.
“Aunt Linda took me to the silver mines!” Alex excitedly told her. “She also promised to take me to the full moon
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Chapter 25
race next time!”
These words pierced Mira’s heart like a silver knife. In six months of separation, Linda had successfully infiltrated every corner of her family.
Mira tried to reignite her connection with Riven, but he always pushed her away, citing his busy work schedule. Their mental link grew weaker and weaker, sometimes completely silent.
When she finally mustered the courage to directly ask about Linda, Riven’s response was cold and distant.
“Linda is your stepsister, also our family,” he said calmly. “She extended her help when we needed it most. I don’t understand why you’re so sensitive about her.”
These words contained not a hint of apology or understanding, only disregard for her feelings–startlingly similar to how Lucien had treated her years ago.
History was repeating itself in a cruel way.
But this time, Mira was no longer the girl who would sacrifice herself for love. She had reclaimed her strength, had learned her own worth.
She didn’t confront them directly but quietly continued her work while closely observing the interactions between Riven and Linda. She discovered that Linda intentionally or unintentionally belittled her in front of Alex, implying that without Mira, the three of them could form a “real family.”
More heartbreakingly, Alex seemed to gradually accept this idea.
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