The Alpha Only Loved My Voice

Alpha Ethan's fated mate Amber, who went abroad for treatment after being poisoned, has recovered and returned.

Seeing the photo Ethan posted of them together, I comforted myself. We're mates now.

Ethan loves me now.

Until I overheard his conversation with a friend.

Ethan, Amber has recovered and come back. Why haven't you broken up with her yet? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for that replacement?

Ethan's voice was cold and mocking. "How could I? I'm only with her because her voice sounds like Amber's. An Omega... If she's obedient, maybe I'll let her continue as my mistress. But the Luna position. She'll have to give it back to Amber."

He didn't just treat me as a substitute. He wanted to crush my dignity.

But on the seventh day after I left, he finally remembered that I wasn't some fragile Omega who could only depend on him.

I was also the most gifted herbalist and healer in the pack.

Chapter One

Molly POV

In my second year as Luna, I got pregnant.

But on the very day I found out, Ethan's former fated mate Amber came back.

Then I saw the photo he'd just taken with Amber on his social media.

The comments were overwhelmingly positive.

"Amber looks even more beautiful than before! She really is the beta's daughter!"

"She used to be a journalist! She even interviewed the Luna Queen!"

"She got her wolf at sixteen and she's incredibly strong. She's my role model."

"If she hadn't been poisoned during that hunt and voluntarily left alpha Ethan, Molly would never have had a chance to be with him!"

At first, I told myself not to worry about these rumors.

My father was a werewolf warrior, my mother just an ordinary Omega.

My wolf was also very weak.

In the werewolf world that valued strength above all, everyone believed I wasn't worthy of the powerful alpha Ethan.

But that didn't matter. As long as Ethan loved me, that was enough.

Until I saw one comment that made me freeze in place.

"Ethan has very high standards for women's voices. Back then he liked Amber not just because they were fated mates, but because of her voice. His current mate's voice sounds almost exactly like Amber's."

My mind exploded.

Ethan had this quirk.

During intimate moments, he liked to turn off all the lights and have me call his name over and over.

Sometimes he'd even give me news scripts to record, then play them on loop in his study.

I'd never thought much of it. I'd even considered it an intimate ritual that belonged just to us.

With trembling hands, I pulled up those recorded news scripts, only to see that every single one was written by "Amber."

Tears fell onto the screen one by one as my heart felt like it had been shoved into an ice pit.

I rushed to Ethan's study, wanting only to ask him what was going on.

But just as I reached the door, I heard laughter coming through the crack.

"Ethan, Amber has recovered and come back. Why haven't you broken up with her yet? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for that replacement?"

His tone was indifferent, though it couldn't hide that trace of affection. "You're overthinking it. I'm only with her to give Amber peace of mind. To put on a show so she could go get treated."

I froze outside the door, my legs going weak.

The people in the study continued laughing. "Amber was just afraid she'd drag you down. After all, the pain between fated mates can transfer. If her poison couldn't be cured and she died, it would have a huge impact on you too. That's why she forced you to Mark someone else, to sever the fated bond."

I knew about this practice. I'd read about it in books.

When one half of a fated mate pair Marks someone else, it means their connection is forcibly severed. Even if one dies, it won't affect the other.

But if both become single again, fate will guide them back together.

There won't be a second chance mate.

But the process of a fated mate Marking someone else is extremely painful.

I never imagined Amber would be willing to go that far for Ethan.

"But Molly does have a great body. After you two break up, what if I go after her? Unless you'd mind, of course."

After a brief silence came his familiar yet strange voice. "After all, she's been with me all these years. If you're serious, go ahead and pursue her. But if you're just playing around, forget it. If Amber finds out, she'll blame me."

Replacement?

My mind felt like someone had struck it hard.

I staggered backward, unable to listen anymore.

So the happiness I thought I had was just a performance from start to finish.

The only one who got too into character was me.

He'd once fought bitterly with his parents over me.

He'd stood in front of me to protect me when I was being bullied.

As an alpha, he'd made me breakfast for five years.

But all of it was just acting!

How ridiculous.

Back home, I rushed into the bathroom and soaked in the tub, trying to calm myself down.

As I dried my hair, I comforted myself. Maybe he was just joking around with his friends.

That's what men do when they're together, right? They like to brag.

But that evening, he only sent one message:

"Have to handle urgent pack business tonight. Go to bed early."

I sat on the couch all night.

When dawn was just breaking, he finally came home.

He looked relaxed, and when he saw me, he smiled. "My little sleepyhead, couldn't sleep without me? Look, I bought your favorite egg tarts."

I didn't move, didn't speak.

Just quietly watched him, smelling the strong scent of roses on him.

I never used rose-scented perfume.

They were together last night, and they managed to hide it from our mate bond?

No. Maybe it was distance.

They weren't in the pack last night.

That's why he could bring back egg tarts from that bakery in town.

Chapter Two

Molly POV

I stared at him, trying to find any trace of deception in those eyes.

But those eyes were filled with nothing but tenderness and love.

My frozen heart warmed slightly.

Clinging to that last bit of hope I shouldn't have had, I grabbed his hand and said softly, "I saw Amber today. She's recovered?"

Undisguised joy appeared on his face.

"Yes, she's recovered. There's an excellent healer in alpha King's pack who found records of that poisonous herb in the royal library and cured Amber."

I closed my eyes in pain, asking nothing more. "Congratulations... go take a shower."

"Okay."

He didn't notice my pain at all, just kissed my forehead.

Then stuffed an egg tart in my mouth and headed into the bathroom.

I reflexively took a bite, and the rich cheese flavor instantly exploded in my mouth.

I froze, quickly spitting it out.

How could he not remember I'm allergic to cheese?

When we first started dating, I accidentally ate cheese and was rushed to the hospital.

When I woke up, the healer joked:

"Try to comfort Ethan. He was so scared he nearly lost it."

After that, whenever we ate out, Ethan would remind the servers repeatedly: absolutely no cheese in the food.

The memory still tasted sweet, but right now my hands and feet were turning red, rashes spreading, itching unbearably.

I laughed bitterly, finding the medicine and about to swallow it when I suddenly remembered I was pregnant.

I was an Omega, different from those powerful werewolves.

I didn't have such strong physical constitution.

If I took the allergy medicine, I might miscarry.

My fingers trembled as I slowly put the medicine bottle down.

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

"What's wrong? Not feeling well?"

He looked at me with concern.

Before I could speak, his phone suddenly rang.

After answering, the laziness on his face disappeared instantly, his tone becoming tense.

"Protect her. I'm coming right now."

He hurriedly changed clothes and walked to the door, then seemed to remember something and looked back at me.

"There's an urgent pack matter. I need to go check it out."

Then he reminded me, "Remember to eat your breakfast."

I casually pulled down my sleeves and asked quietly, "What flavor are the egg tarts?"

"Cheese. It's really popular lately. I waited in line forever."

His tone carried a hint of impatience, as if annoyed that I was asking too many questions.

I nodded, saying only, "Got it. Drive carefully."

Clutching his phone, he seemed to sense something wasn't right.

But before he could figure it out, the phone rang again and he left without looking back.

I watched his departing figure, my fingers trembling slightly.

Then I grabbed my mask, left the house, and followed him from a distance.

The car drove to a werewolf bar.

A figure in red threw herself into his arms.

He immediately wrapped his arms around her waist. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to a bar? What if you ran into trouble?"

The woman, Amber, stood on tiptoe and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"Don't worry, I won't let anyone but you touch me."

I watched him push her into the car and lock the door.

Then he cupped the back of her head and kissed her fiercely.

That kiss was deep and possessive, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

Afterward, she shyly escaped from the car while he chased after her, his eyes full of affection.

I leaned against the wall as pain swept through my lower abdomen, making it impossible to stand straight.

The pain made me dry heave.

Only after they separated and walked into the bar did I slowly recover.

I took off the ring on my hand and casually tossed it into a storm drain. Then I turned and walked away with long strides.

Chapter Three

Molly POV

That afternoon, I started running a fever. Half-awake and half-asleep, I felt that indescribable pain again.

In my dream, I saw Ethan appear before my disheveled self.

He asked me if I was willing to become his mate.

I didn't agree immediately, because my biological father and mother were fated mates, but after I was born, my father despised my mother for being just an ordinary Omega and abandoned her.

I didn't understand why alpha Ethan would choose me.

We weren't even fated mates.

But later, his actions won me over.

On the day of the Marking ceremony, I told him, "I will never betray you. But if one day you betray me first, I will leave without looking back."

Even though I was just an Omega, I swore I would never let anyone have the chance to humiliate my dignity.

The dream ended. The fever made the allergic areas hot and itchy, like millions of ants crawling on my body.

Suddenly, I felt a burning sensation down there, and I realized...

The baby...

Instinctively, I dialed Ethan's number.

The phone rang two or three times before a woman's voice came through.

I knew it was Amber.

"Hello, if you have something to say, say it quickly. I just saw a kitten that got hit by a car. I don't have time to chat with you."

A sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I couldn't worry about much else and quickly said:

"Please tell Ethan I might be having a miscarriage. Tell him to come home right away."

Silence on the other end, then her careless voice came through:

"A miscarriage just proves this child doesn't belong to you. Besides, with your inferior bloodline, the child wouldn't be much use anyway. If it dies, it dies."

I clutched my stomach, wondering if I was hallucinating.

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Give the phone to Ethan. I need to talk to him!"

Amber answered carelessly:

"Molly, the miscarriage proves this child doesn't like you either. You should respect his choice."

Just as she was about to hang up, I heard Ethan's voice in the background.

I shouted in desperation, "Ethan!"

But Ethan didn't respond to me. I only heard his conversation with Amber.

"Amber, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well? Is it aftereffects?" Ethan asked urgently.

"My heart hurts so much! Ethan, maybe you should go back and talk to Molly. If something really happens to her baby..."

He listened quietly, then picked up the phone, his voice calm but cutting.

"Molly, you're infertile. How could you possibly be pregnant? Stop acting. And don't be so dramatic in the future. Amber's health is fragile. Scaring people like that could cause issues..."

I couldn't speak. The woman on the other end kept chattering, finally leaving me with this.

"I'm too busy these days to come back. Don't call me about such trivial matters."

The phone went to dial tone, but my heart kept sinking.

This villa was built halfway up the mountain, with almost no one else around.

Even the housekeeper and servants weren't nearby at the moment.

Because I couldn't mind link any of them.

After all, I was just an Omega. I couldn't cover all pack members like an alpha could.

I could only call my friend Chloe and ask her to rush over and take me to the pack hospital.

After the procedure, I was unconscious for three days and nights before waking.

Chloe said that after receiving my call, she rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. The doctor said if I'd arrived even ten minutes earlier, they could have saved the baby.

Then Chloe went out to buy me food.

I took out my phone to scroll through my feed. Less than a minute in, I saw a video Ethan had shared.

The two-minute content showed Amber advocating for the care of stray animals and cherishing life.

Below the video, Ethan commented that he fully supported her charitable work.

I gently touched my stomach. My heart had gone numb with pain, leaving only faint irony.

At Chloe's insistence, I rested two more days before being discharged.

When I returned home, Ethan still hadn't come back. I didn't care, just went to work as usual.

It wasn't until the second weekend evening that he finally came home.

When he entered, I was searching for my healer certification.

Ethan said sarcastically, "Look at you, you're just fine, aren't you?"

Before I could explain, he grabbed clothes and went into the bathroom.

Soon, a phone ringtone came from the bathroom.

Even though he lowered his voice, I could still hear his conversation with Amber:

"Yeah, don't worry, she's not pregnant. Probably just being petty. Okay, I'll listen to you and stay home tonight. When I'm not there, don't kick off your blanket when you sleep!"

I laughed quietly, pretending not to hear, and kept myself busy.

We were going to separate anyway. Let him think whatever he wanted. No explanation from me would matter.

But since he was staying home tonight, I'd need to find an excuse to sleep in separate rooms. Sharing a bed would be rather disgusting.

Just as I was thinking this, he walked into the bedroom and said, "Amber's having some trouble..."

I interrupted him. "Go check on her."

A flash of discomfort crossed his face, but finally he just said, "I'll be right back."

He didn't come back that night, and I slept dreamlessly.

Chapter Four

Molly POV

Early the next morning, Ethan unexpectedly rushed back and insisted on taking me out.

I was somewhat puzzled but didn't refuse.

The car had just turned a corner when we saw an old man collapsed on the ground, foaming at the mouth.

I immediately told Ethan to stop the car and pushed open the door.

I hadn't taken two steps when Ethan suddenly called out to me. "Amber's monitoring watch is sending an alert. There might be something wrong with her health. I need to go check on her. You wait here for the ambulance."

Both situations were life-threatening. I didn't stop him.

The old man's condition was terrible. Without proper herbs to detoxify him, and without moonlight, many remedies couldn't be used.

I could only quickly identify the plants around me.

Finding a few types of herbs that could be used for emergency detoxification, I photographed the situation, then mixed these herbs simply and fed them to the old man.

Then I quickly mind linked a guard and had him come send the old man to the pack hospital.

Fortunately, a guard wasn't far from here, or I probably would have had to drag the old man myself.

But it still took some time. After the old man was sent to the hospital, they issued a critical condition notice.

I called the number saved as "Granddaughter" in his phone countless times, but no one answered.

By the time the enforcement team arrived and asked me to sign papers for special procedures, the old man was already gone.

The doctor wheeled the body out of the operating room. I stayed where I was, waiting for follow-up procedures, when an ominous feeling suddenly arose in my heart.

Soon, the elevator door dinged open.

Amber rushed out, and seeing the old man, immediately threw herself over, crying heartbreakingly.

"Grandpa! What happened to you? I'm here. Please wake up!"

I stood stunned for a few seconds, an absurd thought flashing through my mind. Could the world really have such coincidences?

But before I could speak, she stood up, rushed over to me, and slapped me hard across the face.

"Molly, it was you, wasn't it? You dared to use poisonous herbs to murder my grandfather! You hate me. Fine. Come find me. What kind of skill is it to take revenge on an old man!"

Fire flashed in my eyes, but I remained calm. "I've already told the enforcement team what happened. If you have questions, go ask them."

She glared at me, her voice trembling and hysterical. "If it wasn't you, why won't you let the real responsible person come forward? If it wasn't you, why would you be so kind as to send my grandfather to the hospital?"

I was amused by her logic. Just as I was about to show her the photos I'd taken on my phone, she suddenly lunged forward to grab it.

In the chaos, she used too much force and fell with the phone.

Ethan arrived at that exact moment, just in time to see Amber and me on the ground.

Without hesitation, he rushed over and shoved me toward the wall.

"Have you lost your mind!"

My spine and the back of my head hit the wall almost simultaneously. The intense pain made my vision go black.

Before I could recover, Amber had thrown herself into his arms, crying almost hysterically.

"Ethan, Grandpa's dead! I don't have a grandfather anymore! She killed him... make her pay with her life!"

I looked at him, watching him stay silent, watching the hesitation in his eyes.

My heart grew colder bit by bit.

I suddenly remembered when I earned my healer certification with excellent grades.

A classmate who was jealous of me got people to corner me in an alley and force me to bark like a dog.

They even wanted to break my hands.

He found me in time and fought those people until he was covered in blood.

"This fool flipped through a thick herbal medicine book over a thousand times to become a good healer. She can practically recite the contents backward. You want to use dirty tricks to shatter her dream? Think again."

In that moment, he was the brightest light in my world.

But now, this light before my eyes was as cold as ice.

"Molly," he said, "go apologize to Grandpa and let the old man rest in peace."

Amber leaned against his chest, looked up at me, and showed me a provocative smile.

I ?closed my eyes and laughed coldly. "Whether I did anything wrong, the enforcement team will tell you. But Amber, you're crying so miserably. Are you afraid your grandfather's ghost will come find you tonight and ask why you didn't answer his-"

Before I could finish, a slap landed hard across my face.

Then Ethan ordered the guards to forcibly drag me to the hospital bed and kicked me in the knee.

Bang.

I fell to the ground.

A sharp pain shot through my knee as I stared at him, my voice hoarse. "Ethan, you know exactly what happened."

He froze, a trace of guilt flashing in his eyes.

Then he bent down and whispered in my ear, "Amber's health is poor. Grandpa's death is too big a blow for her. If she can't vent, she'll get sick. Why don't you just admit your mistake? It's just the detention room. Nothing will happen."

I could barely believe my ears.

Fury instantly blazed to its peak as I shoved him away.

"Do you know what this means? If I admit I murdered him with poisonous herbs, I can never work as a healer again in this life! Ethan, how can you say this so easily?"

Before I finished speaking, he pressed me back to the ground.

The guards bound my hands behind my back and stuffed some cloth into my mouth.

Ethan bent down, looked at me, and smiled with a gentleness that felt cruel.

"Be good. It's just a healer's job. You don't need to do it. From now on, I'll take care of you."

Then he turned and walked to Amber's side.

He raised his hand, signaling the guards to proceed.

Fists slammed into my face and body as my bones made cracking sounds.

I wanted to protect my head, but my hands were tied.

I could only curl up and let the fists and feet fall.

I opened my eyes and saw Ethan's face through the blur. Those eyes that once gave me peace now held only coldness.

Amber pulled him away to "settle Grandpa's body."

I slowly closed my eyes.

Those fists and feet scattered the few remaining memories piece by piece.

The man who became flustered with just one look from me.

The man who couldn't handle spicy food but was willing to eat Mexican food with me.

The man who gave me the most bountiful spoils at the hunting festival.

All of it was forcibly ripped from my mind.

The pain was so intense I couldn't catch my breath, and I completely blacked out.

Ethan, so even your heartache has an expiration date.

Loving you really hurts.