Chapter 2

"We believe the Moon Goddess never makes mistakes."

That single line from Hazel was what finally made Adrian give in.

But the truth was, Hazel only kept Adrian around as a backup. He was just a no-name Alpha from a small pack. She was clearly waiting for a better match.

As my departure from the pack drew near, I prepared to sell off the assets my parents had left me. Then, I took the magic potion the witch gave me to transfer the fated bond.

Just as I returned to what was meant to be my future home with Adrian, I overheard Hazel putting on her sweetest act.

"Adrian, you're about to mark Caroline, and you still want to take me to Sunset Forest? She must hate me by now."

"She wouldn't dare," Adrian said softly. "Hazel, you're the one I care about the most. She could never compare to you. If she treats you badly, I'll break the mate bond with her."

My wolf howled inside me. I had to dig my nails into my palm just to hold back my tears.

Even though I had already decided to leave, hearing Adrian say something so heartless still cut deep. After all, he had been my mate for decades in my previous life.

I wiped my tears and stepped inside as if I hadn't heard a thing.

Adrian jumped up, pushing Hazel aside as he rushed to explain, "I... Hazel's wolf was unsettled just now. I was holding her to calm her down."

I just nodded and walked toward my room.

In my previous life, I had caught them hugging like this many times. I had fought and argued with Adrian, but nothing ever changed. This time, I wouldn't waste my energy.

Adrian called after me, "Caroline, have all the invitations for the marking ceremony been sent out? I've prepared some gifts for the guests. Can you help distribute them?"

I didn't know why he was suddenly so eager. Maybe he felt a bit guilty after I caught him and Hazel together for the first time in this life, and wanted to make it up to me.

"You can hand them out however you want," I answered flatly. "You don't need to ask me about things like this."

He froze, probably not expecting me to turn him down.

Right then, Hazel stepped forward, looking as pitiful as ever, and leaned against Adrian. "Caroline, Adrian was really just helping me because I wasn't feeling well. Please don't misunderstand."

She was holding the bridal bouquet I had spent so long preparing for the ceremony.

Moonflowers were rare and incredibly difficult to grow.

In my previous life, I spent nearly half my savings to buy seeds from a ranger. I cared for them day and night, and only after a year did they finally bloom.

I believed that walking down the aisle holding flowers blessed by the Moon Goddess would bring us happiness that lasted a lifetime.

But now, Hazel had snapped the bouquet off before the ceremony had even begun.

When Hazel noticed me looking at the flowers, her expression changed. "Caroline, my wolf was restless again today. I accidentally stepped on some flowers while walking through the garden, so I brought them back with me."

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she turned to Adrian for support.

Adrian patted her head and frowned at me. "Caroline, it's my..."

I cut him off, raising a hand to stop whatever excuse he was about to make. "Just put them in a vase. They were grown to be picked anyway."

In my previous life, after the marking ceremony, I'd caught the two of them sneaking around in my garden.

Adrian had even blocked our mind-link just so I couldn't sense what he was doing.

I only found out because I couldn't sleep and went outside in the middle of the night.

Even now, just thinking about it made my skin crawl.

I didn't say another word. I turned and closed my bedroom door, then locked it behind me. The two of them were left outside, completely stunned.

I pulled out the admission letter I'd picked up from the mailbox that afternoon and gently held it in my hands.

In my previous life, I'd gotten into Northbridge University, but I never told anyone.

Adrian assumed I had only been accepted into an ordinary university. He asked me to stay home to care for his ailing father while he went to Southlands, saying there was no one else to look after the pack.

I agreed and gave up my dream of attending the world's top university, just so I could stay behind and take care of the pack for him.

But this time, I was determined to chase my own future.

There were only seven days left until the semester started, but there was still so much I needed to take care of before leaving.

Coincidentally, the witch's magic potion would also take seven days to fully take effect.

Just then, I heard Adrian call out from outside the door.

I frowned, not wanting to deal with him. But as the knocking grew louder, I had no choice but to get up and open it.

Adrian was standing there with a jewelry box in his hand. When he opened it to reveal a ruby, his expression softened in a way I hadn't seen before.

"I picked this up at an auction a couple of days ago. I thought it would be perfect as the main stone in your crown."

I was stunned, not sure how to react. I was so used to his indifference in my previous life that his sudden kindness left me unprepared.

"Take it back. I don't need it."

"But you still need a gem for your crown. If not this, then where will you find another one?"