LOGINThat day, Victor and I went back to the Moonshadow pack.The moment we stepped through the door, we heard shouting.Chris stood in the middle of the hall. Lucy sat on the floor, silently crying.My father was livid. If my mother hadn't been holding him back, I think he would have gone after them.I walked over and saw a stack of printed chat logs scattered across the table."Sheila..."My mother looked at me, words failing her.I shook my head to tell her I was fine.Then I looked at the chat logs on the table.The first page.Messages Lucy had sent her best friend.[They've booked the mating ceremony again tomorrow.][I'll make up some excuse. Chris will definitely come.][Sheila? She'll wait. She can't live without Chris.]The second page.[What excuse this time... let's go with a twisted ankle.][Chris can't stand seeing me hurt.]The third page.[Oh, the cat was never missing. Don't worry.]The fourth page.[As long as they keep missing the Moon Goddess's blessing, I still have a c
The color drained from Chris's face, inch by inch.But Lucy suddenly lunged toward me and seized my hand, tears falling right on cue."Sheila, it's all my fault. Go with Chris.""You can't gamble your own future just to spite us!"I pulled my hand back in disgust."Who's spiting anyone?""Who I choose as my mate has nothing to do with you."Her tears spilled over again."I'm only looking out for you two. Why do you always have to think the worst of me..."My father had finally had enough.He snorted and waved a hand.Several pack warriors appeared behind Chris and Lucy, their faces blank."Please leave. The Moonshadow pack does not welcome you."Chris opened his mouth.My father cut him off. "If you don't go now, I'll have you thrown out."Chris looked at me one last time, then stumbled off with Lucy.At the door, he suddenly turned back."Sheila, I won't give up."I didn't even look up."Suit yourself."Late that night, after seeing Victor off, I sat on the edge of my bed, lost in tho
Victor didn't set me down until we were alone."Thank you for today.""I didn't come today out of pity."We spoke at the same time.Then I froze.Victor looked at me, his expression serious."Sheila, what I said three years ago still stands.""I know this looks like I took advantage of the chaos. But honestly, I've been planning it for a long time."Moonlight traced the clean lines of his profile.My heart suddenly skipped a beat.I stayed silent.Something dimmed in Victor's eyes. Then he put on a calm front."We've only received the Moon Goddess's blessing. We haven't marked each other yet.""If this really was just an impulse, you can walk away anytime."With that, he stepped back half a pace, leaving me plenty of room.I smiled, stepped forward, and took his hand."My pack is still waiting to celebrate with me."Victor froze.A rare look of fluster crossed his face.His lips moved, and it took him a long moment to get the question out."You mean... me?"I shrugged."If you'd rather
The newcomer was Victor, Chris's uncle.He had confessed his feelings to me three years ago, but by then I had already fallen for Chris.After I turned him down, he left the Grayfang pack.Before leaving, he told me, "If you're ever single again, give me a chance."Victor had once been the strongest warrior of the Grayfang pack.It was his departure that opened the way for Chris to become Alpha.Chris's expression shifted abruptly."Victor, what are you doing here?!"Victor didn't so much as glance at him.He only looked at me, steady and serious."One minute left. Let's receive the Moon Goddess's blessing first.""I've already arranged everything else. I'll make sure you get every step you missed."In that moment, something ached in my chest.So I didn't have to push for every step.And I didn't need to keep waiting.So there really was someone who would have everything ready for me.The priest froze for a moment, then glanced at Victor."Well, since he's here... come on up."Victor b
Chris closed the distance in a few strides and clamped his hand around my wrist, gripping hard."Sheila, stop this. How are you going to complete the ceremony alone?"I looked down at his hand, then slowly pulled my wrist free."Then I'll find someone else."The air went still for a beat.Chris's mouth twitched into a stiff smile."Sheila, that's not funny."Whispers rose from below the steps."Sheila's probably just trying to push Chris a little.""I'd lose my mind too. This is the eighth time."Everyone assumed I was talking nonsense, that I was forcing Chris to make a choice.Only I knew I meant every word.I truly didn't want to wait for him anymore.That was when Lucy stepped forward, wiping her tears."Sheila, how could you threaten Chris with something like this?""After all your time together, how could you say something so hurtful? How could you threaten to choose someone else for the mating ceremony over one little thing?""Talking like that, you're going to break Chris's hea
Seeing that I wouldn't budge, Chris fell silent for a few seconds.Then he looked at Lucy, still crouched on the ground."Lucy, how about you put away the beads you've found, we go up and complete the ceremony, and I'll help you find the rest afterward?"Lucy bit her lip, tears falling without a sound.The air froze.Only six minutes remained before the blessing window closed. Then my phone rang.It was my mother, Ella."Sheila, is the ceremony over? The bonfire feast is all set. We're just waiting for you two."Before I could speak, Vivian, right behind me, snatched the phone, her voice sharp with fury."Ella, the ceremony hasn't even started!""Lucy scattered her bracelet in front of the altar, and Chris refuses to go in until every last bead is found!"The other end went quiet for two seconds. Then my father, Daniel, came on the line."Is Chris there?"I glanced at Chris.He had just risen from the ground, the moonstone beads he'd recovered clutched in his hand.He looked at me, a f







