Chapter 2

Vera's voice carried a hint of a sob.

Soren said nothing. His fangs pressed down and pierced into Vera's neck.

Blood trickled down her skin. Vera furrowed her brow and let out a soft sound.

"This is my mark. Give me four days to handle internal affairs in the kingdom, then I'll come for you immediately.”

"Vera Nightingale, you're mine now."

When Vera opened her eyes again, Soren had vanished. Only the open window proved he had truly been there.

Vera sat at her vanity and swept her long hair aside. Two dark puncture wounds throbbed with pain.

Yet they also brought back memories of her first meeting with Soren.

It had happened a year ago. She had been out traveling when she encountered Soren, who had been ambushed and left for dead.

Werewolves and vampires had never gotten along, and Soren was gravely injured and unconscious.

Vera had a soft heart. She saved him and even let him drink her blood to heal his wounds. When Soren woke, he had wanted to bring Vera back to the vampire kingdom.

Back then, Vera's heart belonged entirely to Kieran, so naturally she refused. But now, she had no reason left to stay here.

That night, Vera did not sleep well. Images of Kieran and Wendy tangled together kept appearing in her dreams.

Other times, it was beautiful memories of her past with Kieran. The two overlapped, torturing her endlessly.

"Ms. Nightingale, the Alpha wants to see you." A servant's knock rescued Vera from her nightmare.

She washed up briefly and went downstairs. Kieran sat on the living room couch, and Wendy draped herself over him.

Hearing Vera's footsteps, Wendy only gave her a lazy glance.

"Vera!"

Kieran's eyes lit up. He immediately pushed Wendy aside and walked over to Vera.

His expression was guilty. "Vera, about yesterday... I'm sorry.”

"The pack elders said I have to have an heir of my own before I can hold the ceremony with you.”

"That's why I agreed to sleep with Wendy. I did this for us!"

Kieran reached for Vera's hand as he spoke, but she pulled away.

At that moment, Wendy walked over. "Ms. Nightingale, my name is Wendy Quinn. I'm the Alpha's fated mate, someone chosen by the Moon Goddess."

She wrapped her arm around Kieran's and gave Vera an innocent smile.

Her soft chest rubbed against Kieran's arm repeatedly. Vera felt disgusted but showed no reaction.

She nodded. "I see."

Seeing Vera's calm response, both Kieran and Wendy looked surprised.

Wendy quickly added, "Don't worry, Ms. Nightingale. I won't come between you and the Alpha.”

"Once I give birth successfully, I'll leave."

Wendy smiled sweetly, as if she were truly as honest as she claimed.

Kieran nodded and said softly, "So for the time being, Wendy might need to stay here with us..."

Vera agreed without hesitation and even offered, "In that case, I'll go pack my things and give Ms. Quinn my room."

Her room was the largest and most luxurious in the entire estate, even better than Kieran's. A room like that should naturally go to the future Luna.

Vera thought what she said was perfectly reasonable, but Kieran's expression darkened.

"What are you talking about? You're not strong enough. That room was always meant for you.”

"As for Wendy, I've already made arrangements."

Kieran stared hard at Vera's face, trying to catch even the slightest hint of anger or hurt. But there was nothing.

Vera just stood there quietly, her eyes devoid of any emotion. Kieran felt something was off.

"Vera, are you angry?"

Kieran gripped Vera's hand. The werewolf Alpha who had been spoiled since childhood was now exceptionally cautious.

Vera only shook her head, her tone flat. "Since it's the elders' rule, of course I'm not angry."

"That's good. Vera, I'll take Wendy back to her room first. I'll come keep you company tonight, okay?"

As Kieran spoke, he reached out to touch Vera's face, but she tilted her head away again. But Kieran was in a hurry to bring Wendy back and did not notice this detail.

In the end, he never came for her. From noon until evening, the closed bedroom door never opened.

After Vera ate dinner alone and returned to her room, she received a message from an unknown number.

It was a video. When she opened it, footage of Kieran and Wendy in bed played across the screen.

Then came a text from Wendy.

"Vera, so what if the Alpha likes you? I'm the mate the Moon Goddess chose. Werewolves can't defy the Moon Goddess.”

"Besides, I'm already carrying the Alpha's pup. Who do you think he'll choose? You, a human, or me, the one carrying the entire pack's hope?"