Chapter 6

Serena applied to leave the pack.

The wolf at the registration office stared at her in disbelief after hearing her request. Everyone knew who she was.

Once, she had been the most promising researcher the pack had ever produced. Walking away now meant abandoning everything she had built.

But he remembered what had happened to her recently. She had been the next Luna, and after those explicit videos leaked, she'd been demoted to an Omega and kicked out of the research institute. His expression softened, and he didn't pry.

"It'll take about a week for the approval to go through," he said quietly. "We'll let you know."

Serena nodded. "Thank you."

After she left the registration office, she went straight back to pack.

However, when the car drew near the Lockwood residence, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes. "I'm sorry. Something's going on up there. I can't get the car through."

Serena didn't argue. She was about to get out and walk the rest of the way when she heard several werewolves at the intersection, shouting Caspian's name, their voices filled with excitement.

Caspian?

Her heart gave a sharp, involuntary twist.

Before she even realized she was moving, she'd followed the flow of the crowd. A short distance ahead, she saw him.

Caspian had already shifted into a massive wolf and was locked in a brutal fight with another wolf. There was nothing steady or dignified about him right now.

The people around her couldn't stop talking.

"I didn't think Alpha Caspian could look like that when he's angry. He's going for the kill. It's hard to believe."

"Can you blame him? That male werewolf was harassing Aurelia. Of course, Alpha Caspian snapped."

"But isn't his Luna supposed to be Serena? Why is he stepping in for Aurelia instead?"

"Are you kidding? Serena's a low-rank Omega now. How would she ever be worthy of Alpha Caspian? They revoked her rights to be Luna. And with those videos of hers going around everywhere, you really think Alpha Caspian wouldn't be disgusted by her?"

As she listened to the murmurs around her, a dull ache crept into Serena's chest.

Just then, Aurelia suddenly pushed through the crowd and threw her arms around Caspian's waist, clutching him tightly as her voice broke. "Caspian, please don't do this."

Caspian snapped back to his senses. He lifted his foot off the male werewolf beneath him and shifted back into human form. Casting a cold glance at the werewolf sprawled on the ground, battered and barely conscious, he said harshly, "Get out of here!"

Then, his expression changed. He raised a hand and gently stroked Aurelia's hair. "It's okay. Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

The tenderness in his eyes cut straight into Serena. She'd never seen Caspian look at anyone like that.

Astraea couldn't help muttering, "You were with him for years, and he never even smiled at you. How did you ever convince yourself that he liked you?"

Serena let out a bitter laugh.

Exactly.

He had gone so far out of his way to avoid her that he had pushed her into his own brother's bed. She must've been blind to believe he cared about her at all.

At that moment, Caspian's gaze suddenly met hers. He clearly hadn't expected to see Serena there, and his pupils shrank.

He looked as though he wanted to say something, but Serena turned and left as if she'd never noticed him.

Caspian's brow knitted even tighter, a complicated emotion flickering across his face.

Meanwhile, Aurelia clung to his arm and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

He smiled faintly. "Nothing. Let's go."

When Aurelia wasn't paying attention, Caspian pulled out his phone and called Forrest, briefly explaining what had happened and asking him to talk to Serena that night.

Forrest was confused. "Why do I have to talk to her? This is the perfect chance to dump her."

Caspian stared at the message, an unfamiliar feeling stirring in his chest.

He was right. This was the perfect opportunity to end things.

And yet…

He pressed a hand against his chest, frowning slightly. For reasons he couldn't explain, the thought of breaking up with Serena made his heart tighten uncomfortably.

After giving it some thought, he replied coldly, "The elders still haven't agreed to let Aurelia become Luna. If I break things off now, I'm worried Serena might lose control and cause trouble. If Aurelia gets hurt, that wouldn't be good."

Forrest immediately sobered up. "Got it. I'll go back tonight and smooth things over with her."

That night, Serena had just fallen asleep when she was startled awake by Forrest's kisses.

He smiled at her, just like always, his hand gently brushing her cheek. "Why did you go to sleep without waiting for me tonight?"

Serena turned away, her expression flat. "I was tired."

"The antidote thing was my fault. I'm sorry. As for the fight, it was because that guy had no regard for a she-wolf's free will and harassed Aurelia. Don't be mad anymore, okay?" he explained gently.

Astraea couldn't help but scoff. "Those two really have it figured out. One plays the villain, the other plays the hero."

Serena felt nothing. She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

When she didn't respond, Forrest leaned in and began licking the back of her neck, trying to coax a reaction from her.