I never imagined Rowan would be the second son of the Alpha King of the Northern Territories.And tonight, he stood firm before Lucien, unyielding."You don't deserve to be her mate," Rowan growled.Lucien's face turned ashen, his fists clenched. However, he couldn't do anything.Rowan stepped in front of me. From his coat, he slowly pulled out a ring he had prepared long ago. Then, he dropped to one knee."Elara, I don't care about your bloodline or your past. I only want to spend the rest of my life helping you be free and loved." He looked up at me, his eyes glowing with unwavering sincerity and fire.I froze, my throat tight, eyes stinging. A few seconds later, I smiled and nodded. "Let's be together!"Behind us, Lucien suddenly lost control and stepped forward. "Elara, y-you can't just abandon us!"I didn't look back; I simply placed my hand in Rowan's."I never loved you, Lucien. I stayed only to fulfill the agreement to take care of Rhett." I spoke the truth.Lucien st
"I understand you're still upset, but there's no need to make such a scene by running away from home."Lucien's tone was laced with the innate arrogance and condescension of an Alpha."We were together for ten years. If you regret leaving and want to return to the Wargspire Pack, just say the word. I'll personally bring you back."For a pureblood Alpha like Lucien, even showing up in such a remote place was the greatest "compromise" he could make within the bounds of his identity.He thought I'd be moved—that I'd waver."Lucien," I replied calmly, each word severing the past like a blade. "Don't kid yourself. I have nothing to do with the Wargspire Pack anymore."He went silent for a moment before unexpectedly pulling Rhett out of the car.Rhett shifted nervously, ears flushed red as he muttered under his breath, "I'm… I'm sorry, Elara." His whole face turned the color of a strawberry. The moment he got the words out, he bolted back into the car, flustered.Lucien raised a hand
I had finally arrived at the Snowfield Pack.This place, blanketed in snow year-round and far from the chaos of the world, was the sanctuary I had always yearned for.On the very first day, I met Rowan Argent while skiing down the snowy ridge.He was a traveler who was passing through for a ski vacation. We quickly grew close, chasing each other through the snow forest, grilling fish by the fire.We watched the aurora side by side, carving our names into the snow.He whispered, "Your smile is more beautiful than the northern lights."To my surprise, I felt moved as I listened to his clumsy sweet talk.Years ago, Mother had knelt and begged me, "Elara, please, take care of Rhett… The Northern Territory is a treacherous place. He won't survive without his birth mother's protection."Back then, I looked at that pitiful pup curled in a corner, eyes full of fear and loneliness. Something inside me was gently stirred.I naively believed I could exchange ten years of devotion for a
"Don't think that you can get me or Father to change our minds with that pitiful act!" Rhett shouted. "If you've got the guts to leave, then don't ever come back!"He started attacking me then.Luckily, he was still just a pup. With his unstable strength, the silver bullet veered off course, grazing my arm and leaving a shallow cut.The sharp pain caused me to fall off the motorcycle.The wolf guards, who had been coldly watching from a distance, suddenly rushed over in shock.Rhett froze as he stared at the blood flowing from my arm.I got up and pulled a staff from a guard's belt, pointing it straight at him abruptly.Frightened, Rhett stumbled back in retreat.No matter how arrogant and unruly he usually acted, at the end of the day, he was still just a noble pup who had never been on a real battlefield."I didn't mean to!" he stammered, voice trembling. "I just... didn't want you to come back… You're not really our family…"Blood dripped steadily from my arm.I used the
"Elara, you're usually smart—you shouldn't be doing something so foolish. You know full well that you'll have nothing once you leave the Wargspire Pack." Lucien added carelessly, "If Rhett is too attached to you, let Lyra help take care of him. I've already ordered her residence to be arranged. From now on, she'll live here."In the script he wrote for me, I was supposed to smile obediently, accept Lyra's move-in with gratitude, and continue playing the role of the submissive stand-in Alpha mate.But I was done with this absurd play."You can assign all that to someone else," I said calmly. "I'm leaving."At that moment, Lyra slowly stepped out, looking pitiful as she stood beside Lucien. "If Elara doesn't welcome me, then perhaps I should take my leave. Elara's been by your side for so many years. I'm just the newcomer; I'm unworthy of your attention."As she turned as if to walk away, Lucien grabbed her back. "Why belittle yourself? Your worth is defined by me."As he spoke,
"Night winds are chilly. Don't catch a cold," I reminded him one last time before turning back to my room.The next morning, a familiar person blocked my path.It was my adoptive mother—the same she-wolf who had sent me into the Wargspire Pack ten years ago.Just like back then, she knelt on one knee before me, trembling as she spoke, "Elara, Rhett is still just a pup. He can't live without you."Our pack now relies on Lucien's protection. The younger ones of the Frostclaw pack are waiting for you to pave the way for them. You can't act on impulse and ruin the pack's future."I finally interrupted Mother. "You've said so much, but not once have you asked whether I was suffering."At that moment, a deep rumbling noise outside shattered the deadlock.As a sleek sports car pulled up at the door, an elegant, striking she-wolf stepped into the hall.The moment she appeared, Rhett rushed toward her excitedly. "Lyra! You're finally here! I've missed you so much that you were even in m