---- first bonding anniversary. But that day, I sat alone with the cake for what felt like forever, he never came back. It was storming. Icouldn't reach him at all. I sat clutching my phone, anxious and heartbroken, praying for his safety. It wasn't until midnight that he finally stumbled through the door, reeking of alcohol. "Butterfly..." He collapsed on the couch, mumbling, eyes fixed ona butterfly on the ceiling. I thought he was confused. I walked over to help him up. "My mate, come to bed." "You... you're not Butterfly..." "Of course not," I whispered gently, "I'm Judy." But that answer struck a nerve. He suddenly shoved me hard, causing me to stagger back and fell onto the couch. "Teo..." Leo had never been so rough. I nearly burst into ---- tears. The alcohol seemed to wear off a little as he blinked at me, dazed. Moments later, he passed out completely. I swallowed my pain and removed his jacket. And then I saw it. It was a photo slipped out from the inside pocket, fluttering to the floor. That was the first time I ever saw his sweet love. A young she wolf with a bright smile, so sweet it could melt hearts. On the back of the photo, a promise written in neat handwriting: "Leo and Butterfly will be happy forever." In that moment, it felt like I was struck by lightning. So this is why he loves butterflies. Why he always stares at them, even when drunk. Because the girl he love was named Butterfly. I never told anyone what happened that night. The next day, I quietly hired a private werewolf investigator to look into it all. ---- When I saw the report and saw that the she-wolf named Butterfly had died on the exact same day as our bonding ceremony, my inner wolf was hit with a wave of pain. Like a hammer to the chest. That's when I knew what it meant to fall into an ice-cold abyss. Her entire life summarized on just a few thin sheets of paper. And her heart was still beating in my chest. . Icouldn't hold it in anymore. I collapsed over the table, sobbing my heart out. That moment, I finally understood why Leo mad me his mate. When I later fell into the bathtub in a daze, I didn't even notice the blood pouring from me. By the time I called for help, our pup was already gone from my life forever. And when I dragged my weak, broken body to our den, I saw Leo sitting calmly on the couch, holding the investigation report I had put together. ---- The report about the female wolf he loved. He had found out I now knew.