Chapter 2

Lily stuck to me like a shadow, afraid I'd do something reckless again.

But she didn't understand. I wasn't trying to die—I just needed to get back to my own world. So far, I'd tried throwing myself at walls, hanging myself, and jumping into a lake.

If one misstep on the stairs had brought me here, why was finding my way back so hard?

Lily couldn't stand my moping. She pulled me over to the dressing table, freshened me up with a bright smile, and said, "You're gorgeous, Luna."

Gently, she said, "You've been holed up in your room for days. No wonder you're feeling down. What if I ask the maid to stop bringing lunch to your room? We'll eat in the dining hall instead. You can stretch your legs and get some fresh air."

I knew she was just trying to lift my spirits, so I managed a weak smile and went along with her. She stayed by my side all the way to the dining hall doors.

Just as I was about to step inside, I heard laughter from within. Then—maybe because they noticed me—it stopped dead.

Ryan's expression darkened instantly, his brows drawing together. "Haven't you been eating in your room this whole time? Why are you suddenly in the dining hall?"

I frowned right back at him. "This estate is my home. Am I not even allowed to leave my room?"

"Luna!" Lily tugged at my sleeve, hissing, "Look at Eleanor. She's sitting in your seat!"

I followed her gaze. I'd been so caught up in Ryan's reaction that I hadn't noticed Eleanor sitting in my usual spot. She was there on purpose, no question about it.

The second our eyes met, her gaze flashed with defiance as she made a show of starting to stand. "Ryan, maybe I should sit somewhere else. I'd hate to upset Susan."

"You're sitting right here." Ryan's voice was loud, almost like he wanted me to hear. "You're the guest of honor. There isn't a seat you don't deserve."

Eleanor dipped her head slightly, playing the part of someone trying to be considerate. "But the Luna doesn't look happy. Last time, she jumped into the lake just because you had a meal with me. Who knows what she'll do this time…"

The second those words left her mouth, Ryan's expression darkened even further.

"Susan!" he snapped. "Either sit down or go back to your room. I don't owe you a damn thing."

My expression never changed the entire time. It wasn't that I wasn't sad, but when sorrow became too much, I learned to bury every emotion so deep no one could see a trace of it.

My chest tightened, as if something heavy were pressing down on my heart, making it hard to breathe. Even so, I walked over and took my seat—the one meant for a real guest.

My body still hadn't fully recovered from the last lake-jumping incident, so I'd only ordered a few light, nutritious dishes.

The kitchen started with oatmeal and vegetable puree. When the maid arrived with the food and saw the dining table already full, she stopped in the doorway, unsure of what to do.

"Alpha, Luna, where should I put these?"

Before I could answer, Eleanor jumped in with her usual false consideration. "Bring over that side table where the vase sits. Since our Luna is so refined, she should have her own table."

How the hell was this showing respect to a Luna? Making me eat off a table meant for decorations was an insult!

The maid studied Ryan's expression, her face gleaming with sweat. When he didn't respond, she had no choice but to obey Eleanor's order before hurrying away.

Ryan's food had already been served. The table was crowded with heavy, greasy dishes reeking of meat. My appetite was faint to begin with, and the oily smell made my stomach churn.

Eleanor strode past the long table, holding a bowl of chicken noodle soup shimmering with grease, and stopped before me.

"Susan, what happened last time was just a misunderstanding. I never thought you'd react so drastically over it. I've felt terrible ever since."

Her voice sounded genuine.

"You know I left the Bloodmoon pack years ago. Unlike you, I'm not used to navigating complicated relationships, and I never wanted to compete with you. So today, let's settle things peacefully in front of Ryan. I hope you won't misjudge me again."

She offered the soup with a faint smile. "Drink this, and we'll call it even."

The second Eleanor stopped talking, I gagged involuntarily.

The room went dead silent.

Eleanor's eyes welled up, like she'd just been slapped in front of everyone. "I know you can't stand me, but did you have to do that?"

Ryan's expression turned stormy. In a few strides, he was on us, wrenching the soup bowl from her hands.

Before I could react, his hand locked onto my jaw, prying my mouth open as he dumped the soup straight down my throat.

I choked, coughing so hard I could barely breathe.

Lily helped me catch my breath, her eyes locked on Ryan in a glare sharp enough to cut. "Alpha, how could you treat your Luna this way? She's the one you put a ring on—your rightful mate! You should be standing by her side!"

"Exactly! Because she's my Luna, she should act like it!" he snapped. "Eleanor has suffered enough. I won't let her be disrespected in her own home!"

As I clenched my jaw against the rising nausea, I forced my tear-filled eyes up to meet his. "Ryan, the bond between you and Eleanor is truly touching…"

Before I could say more, my stomach lurched violently. I could hardly breathe, much less speak.

"Susan?"

Ryan's gaze flickered with unease as he took in my face, purple from lack of air. But then, Eleanor leaned close, murmuring something in his ear. And just like that, his expression frosted over again.

"Drop the act, Susan." His sharp gaze cut through me, as if peeling back layers of a lie. "Last time you were unconscious, Eleanor went out of her way to call the Chief Healer of the Royal Court reserved for the Lycan King.

"And what did he say? That there was nothing wrong with you. That you were perfectly fine. Where the hell did you learn these tricks? I thought you were calm, rational, and brave like Eleanor. But you're just a pathetic woman playing the victim to gain sympathy."

Every word cut deep. Overwhelmed, a sharp pain ripped through my chest. My vision blurred, and everything went black.