Chapter 3

“You saw how it was yesterday,” I said quietly, my voice shaking. “I’m the daughter Snow Moon Pack lost—but they hate me. When I got back, they beat me and scolded me. They didn’t even let me eat. I had to sneak out… hoping to borrow food from you.”

I lowered my head, digging my nails into my palm until the tears came, falling hot and silent onto my hand.

Kane frowned. “And… you still don’t have anywhere safe to go?”

“It’s not nowhere,” I murmured, choking on the words. “It’s just a tiny, filthy room full of trash—smells awful, crawling with bugs.”

Kane’s brows drew together. He probably believed the rumors—that Alpha Shawn spoiled his daughter. He hadn’t expected this kind of cruelty.

“You helped me last night. Let me repay you.”

My eyes snapped open. “You mean… marry me?”

He looked stunned.

“We’re fated mates,” I went on, calm but firm. “You felt it when I healed you last night. If I stay as Mia Smith of Snow Moon Pack, they’ll keep using me. But if I’m your woman… they can’t touch me.”

He tried to move his legs. Still nothing.

“As payment… I’ll heal your legs,” I said. “My medical skills are solid. Do they feel any different than yesterday?”

No.

Still nothing. But he listened. I’d only learn later that he’d quietly loved me for over a decade.

“Are you serious?” he asked, voice rough. His fingers hovered over the armrest, trembling slightly.

“If you’re not interested, just forget it,” I said, cool on the outside but steady underneath.

He exhaled slowly. “I agree.”

Right then, I pulled out my household registration form—the one meant for changing my official pack affiliation. He handed me his. Two documents. Two castaways.

I lined them up together, smiling. “Now we’re family.”

My stomach growled.

We looked at each other—and laughed.

⸻

Breakfast had already been set on the dining table. Looked decent, too. I raised my voice: “Well, looks like whoever dumped me here doesn’t actually want me dead.”

Kane arched a brow. “Wasn’t them.”

“My people… sent it.”

“Someone is helping you?”

He nodded. “One. Zack. You’ll meet him soon.”

I smiled. With me around, Kane had a future again. I’d heal him. I’d avenge him. Together, we’d be unstoppable.

We agreed: 9 a.m., City Hall to register the marriage.

I slipped back into Snow Moon Pack territory to prepare myself.

Mina, the head maid, blocked me at the entrance. She frowned. “Miss Mia, you’re finally up. You almost missed breakfast.”

I ignored her and headed upstairs, but she trailed after me, her voice growing sharper. “I was kind enough to call you. The least you could do is respond.”

She rolled her eyes. “Ugh, typical—raised in the slums. No manners whatsoever.”

I turned around, walked back to the table, and gave her a slow smirk. “The refined Seventh Miss of Snow Moon Pack doesn’t eat leftovers.”

With a flicker of dark amusement, I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo—greasy plates, her dramatic eye-roll, all captured perfectly.

Her face went pale. “What are you doing?”

I rattled off a few dish names. “Anything else you’d like to serve, or is that it?” Then I turned and walked away.

When I came back, she was wringing her hands, sweating. “Miss Mia… please delete the photos?”

“Pack all of this up,” I said flatly. “I’m feeding it to the strays.”

She sputtered, panicked. I waved my phone slightly. She gave in and obeyed. Later, I’m sure she realized I’d just been toying with her.

⸻

I fed the stray dogs outside the villa. At least someone would appreciate that rancid excuse for breakfast.

Then I grabbed a taxi, picked up Kane, and we headed to City Hall. We were lucky—no line. Ten minutes later, it was done.

A silver moon pattern shimmered on both our palms—quiet, glowing.

The registrar’s stamp echoed in the room. I looked up and met Kane’s gaze.

His light blue eyes held mine—gentle, like honey catching sunlight.

Our silver moons overlapped. Two broken souls finally forming a whole.

A photographer nearby gasped. “Your hands—they’re glowing!”

I smiled faintly and covered them. “Just a trick of the light,” I lied.

We held our marriage certificates.

My heart felt… warm. I had found home.

⸻

I had class that afternoon. Guilt tugged at me. I whispered, “I’m sorry. We should be celebrating… but I’ve got class. Head home for now. I’ll meet you later.”

He nodded, standing tall in his crisp white shirt, college ID hanging neatly, hair swaying in the breeze.

I leaned into the car and kissed his cheek. “Darling.”

“Mm,” he murmured, stunned. The taxi pulled away, but he soon told the driver to stop. Quietly, he stepped out and got into a sleek black luxury sedan.

The cab driver scratched his head. “Guy’s got a fancy ride—why’d he bother with a taxi?”

Inside the sedan, Kane murmured, “Keep the blood oath secret. No one needs to know the details.”

Then he paused, fingers brushing his cheek. “But announce we’re married. Just don’t say who I bonded with.”

⸻

I raced toward Snow Moon Pack’s Film Arts Academy. That spotlight? It’s mine. A true star shines—bright enough to be found. In my past life, my birth parents found me just before I debuted… and I lost everything.

Not this time. This life? It’s all about revenge.

Lilith wants to be a star? I’ll climb higher. I’ll crush her. Humiliate her.

⸻

Ten minutes before lecture.

I stepped into the classroom—and there she was. Lilith. Surrounded by girls fawning over her while she prepped for her big scene.

Same class.

In my past life, I missed that class. I was punished, bullied, made to kneel for “hurting” Lilith. By the time I came back, my schooling was a disaster. And my parents… they forced me to drop out.

This time?

This time, I don’t break.

This time, they will.

**********