Chapter 2

So, that was what the so-called fated mate?

Even if the other person was a useless weakling, she could still make a clear-headed leader lose his mind and go mad for her.

In all honesty, I truly had feelings for Kyle. Otherwise, I would never have thrown away everything in my own pack without a second thought just so I could help him.

But in that moment, as I looked at his guarded stance, I suddenly felt that the five years I had spent by his side were a total joke.

There was no anger or hysteria as I simply walked forward.

Kyle immediately pulled Mia tighter into his arms. "What are you trying to do? If you dare to even lift a finger at her..."

I looked at him coldly, my voice carrying across the entire altar. "Since you have chosen this weak human, our contract is null and void from this moment onward."

Kyle went still, and his tense shoulders loosened as a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. It seemed he had never expected that I, who had always been strong and stubborn, would give up the Luna position so easily this time.

"At least you know your place." He let out a cold snort, turned, and carefully wrapped his arm around Mia. "Come. Let's go home."

Mia obediently stayed in his arms and glanced back at me before they left. That was the look of someone who had gotten exactly what she wanted.

The pack automatically parted to form a path, watching their Alpha hold a human girl in his arms like a treasure as he walked away.

Meanwhile, I stood alone in the center of the altar, where the candles had long since gone out.

I turned, gave my back to the noisy crowd, and reached for the mind link I had not used in five years. I was not even sure I would get a reply.

Suddenly, the howl of an ancient wolf rang out, making the mountains and forest tremble.

"Five years." An aged yet powerful voice echoed in my mind, rough as a millstone grinding over gravel. "Selene, you finally remembered me."

My fingers curled, my nails digging into my palm until they pierced the skin.

"Father." I took a deep breath and let the cold night wind pour into my lungs. "The five-year wager is over. I lost."

He fell silent for three seconds before a wild laughter burst out. It was the laugh of the Northern Overlord, arrogant and unrestrained, full of hunger for prey. "It is good that you lost. That… is good!"

My father's voice shook with excitement. "That useless Alpha really was exactly what I said he was. Since you have lost, get back here and take the throne!"

I raised my head and looked up at the full moon in the sky, laced in crimson blood.

"Have the Bloodwolf Guard come pick me up. But before I leave..." I looked in the direction Kyle had gone, and my mouth curled into a cruel smile. "I'm going to collect a little interest."

-

I turned and walked to the place that used to be my home. I pushed the front door open, and the living room was brightly lit.

Kyle was sitting on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine. And Mia, the human girl who had just stolen my fiancé, was wearing a silk robe and leaning against his chest like the obedient little human she was. When she saw me come in, Mia flinched and pressed even closer to Kyle.

Kyle put down his glass, his brows furrowing deeply. "What took you so long to come back?"

He spoke with a tone of entitlement, as if he had not been the one who had humiliated me on the altar just moments ago. "Mia is my fated mate. From now on, she'll live here with us. You don't need to move out. Your job from now on is to protect her."

I ignored him and headed straight for the stairs.

"Stop." Kyle jumped to his feet, the aura of an Alpha rolling out as he tried to crush me with it. I stopped, turned back, and gave him a cold glance from the side.

Kyle froze.

"Selene, stop throwing a tantrum." He took a long breath. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, with a hint of pity. "I know you feel uncomfortable, but even if I can't marry you, your status won't change. You're still the pack's strongest warrior. You can still command the guards. Mia is weak and can't handle pack affairs, so we'll have to rely on you to support her."

Just listen.

This was the man I had loved for five years.

He wanted the sweetness and tenderness of a fated mate, but he was still unwilling to give up on me, his free top-tier fighter and all-purpose housekeeper.

He wanted the best of both worlds?

Dream on!

"Sister..." Mia's timid voice cut in between us. She peeked out from behind Kyle, holding the crown he had personally placed on her head in both hands. "Please don't be angry. I didn't know this crown was so important. If you really mind it that much... you can have it back."

Her eyes were red, and she looked like she had suffered some great tragedy and was still trying to think of the bigger picture. "I know an ordinary human like me isn't worthy of being Kyle's mate, but I fell in love with him at first sight. I don't need the title of Luna. I just want to stay by his side."

When she finished, her hands trembled as she held the crown out to me, and her tears rolled down at just the right moment.

Kyle looked at her, his heart aching for her, and when he turned to me, his eyes were full of even more disgust. "Mia is kind and considerate, and she thinks of you at every turn. And you? All you do is stand there with that dark look on your face!"

He yanked Mia into his arms and pointed at me, shouting. "Since Mia wants to give you the crown back, you can take it! But you'd better remember that the real Luna will always be Mia."

I looked at the crown and suddenly laughed. "She has already put it on. How could she take it off now? What's the point in that?"

The two of them stared at me, stunned. Kyle frowned, confused.

I raised a brow, folded my arms over my chest, and did not extend my hand to take it. "If you want to wear the crown, then you must bear its weight. I hope Ms. Mia can really hold on to her seat as Luna."