Chapter 2

The contract fell through. Adrian's pack lost a crucial partnership.

With no one else to blame, Adrian turned on me. "You're the Luna. How could you be so careless? Couldn't you have kept such an important contract safe?"

I had poured everything into this pack, and in the end, he pinned Vivian's mess on me.

I didn't bother defending myself.

The allergic reaction was getting worse. Some of the blisters had started to hurt.

The physical pain I could endure. But the pain in my heart was something else entirely — like needles, sharp and relentless.

When I said nothing, Adrian softened his tone and tried to console me. "I know you're still upset with Vivian, but she's an orphan with no one to rely on. She's bound to make mistakes at work. Cut her some slack — it'll show your generosity as Luna."

"I'm saying this for your own good."

Always claiming it was for my own good, while everything he did tore me apart.

Was his affair for my own good too?

Three years ago, when a rebellion broke out on the borderlands, Adrian and I had rushed to the scene. Nearly every wolf there had been slaughtered. We found Vivian trembling behind a pile of rubble.

She'd lost her parents and her home.

Out of pity — and my duty as Luna — I brought her back. I paid for her education, and after she graduated, I arranged for her to work as Adrian's assistant.

But Vivian was hopelessly incompetent. She'd spill coffee on a business partner during negotiations or print the wrong documents.

Adrian used to complain to me constantly. "That assistant you dumped on me can't do a single thing right. She's nothing but trouble."

And I'd tell him, "She's still new. Give her time. Don't be so hard on her."

Back then, I thought I was doing a good thing. But my kindness only fed Vivian's arrogance — until she started taking what was mine.

Adrian sighed, removed my mask, and examined the blisters on my face.

I could only imagine how I looked — the mask couldn't even hide the swelling anymore. My face must've resembled an inflated balloon.

"Once the meetings are done, I'll take you to a doctor. Just hang in there until then."

The words had barely left his mouth when Vivian walked in, took one look at my face, and burst out laughing. "Oh my God, Luna — what happened to your face? You look like a pig!"

She was still laughing as she hooked her arm through Adrian's. "Come on, Adrian. We're going to be late for the banquet."

I looked at Adrian, suspicious. "What banquet?"

He couldn't meet my eyes. "It's just a small banquet, but a lot of Alphas will be there. You're not feeling well, so I didn't want to bother you. Vivian's going in your place."

"I'm thinking of you."

Vivian tugged Adrian out of the room. "Let's go — we'll be late!"

At the door, Adrian glanced back at me. "Sophia, just hang in there. I'll take you to the doctor after the banquet."

Behind his back, Vivian stuck her tongue out at me, her eyes blazing with open provocation.

On the way to the banquet, Vivian sat in the passenger seat, her voice dripping with practiced vulnerability. "Adrian, Sophia is an Alpha's daughter and a Luna. I'm worried she'll get jealous and try to get back at me."

"If she really decides to come after me... what am I supposed to do?"

Adrian kept his eyes on the road. Watching her helpless act, he softened.

"Don't worry. Sophia's just upset right now. Besides, you have me, don't you?"

His tone turned smug. "With me around, no one would dare touch you — not even the Luna."

"She thinks she can do whatever she wants because her father is powerful. When it comes to actual ability, you're ten times better than her."

What he didn't know was that before they left, Vivian had called me. I'd heard every word.

Then a text from Vivian: "Heard that? That's what Adrian really thinks of you. If you have any self-respect, stop clinging to him. He doesn't love you."

I'd already decided to leave Adrian. But since she wanted to push it — I'd leave her a parting gift she wouldn't forget.

I went to the hospital alone, picked up some medication, and made a phone call.

"Adrian is bringing his assistant, Vivian, to the banquet tonight. After it ends, bring her to me."

"And put something in her drink."

Then I made another call. "Dad, that investment in Adrian's project — it's time to pull out."