Chapter 3

I called on the healer once again. Fortunately, I only suffered superficial injuries, and my pup gradually settled down again.

As night fell, Cassian reached out to me through our mate bond.

"Daphne's emotions are unstable thanks to your provocations, so I'll be staying back at the main residence to keep her company tonight. You can go get fitted for your formal attire by yourself tomorrow morning."

I sat in darkness, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my mouth as I gazed at the gauze wrapped around my forearm.

He still believed that I'd called off the bonding ceremony in a moment of spite.

In my past life, I was still trying to be mindful of his feelings out of consideration for the fact that he was a young Alpha who had to face the Council of Elders and envoys from various packs every day. As such, I had gone to try on my formal attire by myself.

While enduring the exhaustion of pregnancy, I tried on one elaborate gown after another. I sent photos of myself in them to Cassian with a heart full of anticipation.

But after waiting for a long time, all I received in response was a dismissive comment that they looked fine on me.

It was only later that I found out Cassian had cleared out his entire schedule to accompany Daphne to the amusement park for a day, all because she'd claimed that she was feeling down that day.

Just as I was about to rest, I received a notification on my phone. The pack's official social media platform was livestreaming the after-ceremony celebration.

I wondered why the celebration was still being held as usual when the bonding ceremony itself had already been canceled.

Then, Daphne showed up in the footage sitting in the seat that rightfully belonged to the pack Luna. The mate ring was still on her ring finger. Cassian was sitting beside her, helping her smooth out her windblown hair.

Someone asked about the bonding ceremony that had been canceled during the day.

Cassian lifted his wine glass with a calm expression on his face.

He revealed, "Seraphina was just feeling upset at that moment. If you truly love someone, you should be prepared to accept the family that they wish to protect as well."

Daphne turned to look at him and asked, "What if Seraphina continues to refuse to accept me?"

Cassian replied, "She'll come around. Otherwise, she won't be fit to shoulder the responsibilities of a Luna anyway."

Daphne proceeded to lean over and kiss him on the cheek.

"I just knew that my dear big brother would never abandon me."

Cassian didn't avoid her kiss.

As the crowd hooted and hollered, he merely held onto his wine glass while exasperatedly telling Daphne to sit down and stop acting up.

My chest suddenly started feeling tight at the sight.

In my past life, I continually refused to admit to myself that Cassian and Daphne had long overstepped the boundaries of a sibling relationship. I even repeatedly convinced myself that Cassian was just taking care of Daphne out of a sense of duty.

However, the truly terrifying thing about this was that it was never just about that kiss but Cassian's tacit consent to her actions. He allowed Daphne to hog all the rights his lover should've had under the guise of being his family.

After dawn broke, I didn't visit the formalwear store.

Instead, I groggily slept the day away until a knock at my door woke me.

Cassian entered my room, followed by an awkward-looking tailor carrying a formal gown.

"Everyone's been waiting six hours for you. Three elders even dropped by the store. Why didn't you show up?" he asked with suppressed rage.

I leaned against the soft cushions without even bothering to lift my gaze.

"I didn't want to go."

"Even if you're angry, enough is enough."

Cassian turned and gestured for the tailor to put the gown on the table.

He explained, "I've already ordered the finest gown tailored to your measurements. The bonding ceremony will be held again on the night of the full moon. I won't tolerate any more willfulness this time."

I suddenly felt amused. According to him, while I was allowed to get angry and complain, I wasn't allowed to truly leave him.

"Since you're so thoughtful, why don't you do something about this?" I asked.

I brought up the footage of the celebration and slid my phone toward Cassian. He glanced over at the video, his expression faltering for a moment.

"Daphne had a sudden episode and wouldn't let go of the ring. Also, the elders were the ones who determined the seating order," he said defensively.

"Did the elders also arrange for her to kiss your cheek?" I asked.

The tailor lowered her head.

Cassian picked up my phone and turned off the video.

"She's always expressed her dependence this way. Don't deliberately twist things."

When I was burned, he asked me to reflect on myself. Yet, when Daphne kissed him in public, he argued that I was paranoid. I was always the one at fault.

I sighed and said, "I understand."

I looked away and said nothing more.

Cassian gazed at me for a moment, then, seemingly assuming that I'd finally conceded, he broke into a relieved smile.

"It's good that you've thought things through."

Not long afterward, Anna also visited my residence.

She glanced around but couldn't even be bothered to sit down.

"Since Cassian's already given you an out, come to the main residence tomorrow and apologize to Daphne," she ordered.

I sat in the shadows, watching her.

"Why do I have to apologize?" I asked.

She crossed her arms with a look of contempt on her face and replied, "Daphne's already decided to move out of the main residence. You have to personally inform her that nobody will be kicking her out.

"Seraphina, Cassian will make sure that you receive every bit of honor and authority you deserve as Luna, but in return, you should demonstrate due tolerance.

"Don't forget that your maternal pack is backing Cassian's succession as pack alpha. If you continue to cause a scene, you're not the only one who will suffer embarrassment."

I nodded. She was right. I shouldn't forget that my maternal pack was backing Cassian's succession.

Anna, assuming that I had agreed to her terms, relaxed and left after a few minor pleasantries.

After the door closed behind her, I summoned Thomas and handed him a sealed letter.

I instructed, "Deliver this to the Snowfield Pack by tonight. From now onward, the Snowfield Pack will no longer be supporting Cassian's succession."

Thomas stowed the letter away safely.

I added, "Also, tell Mom to prepare an escort."

I stroked my abdomen, feeling my pup's steady life force.

"I'll be returning home before the ceremony to be held on the next full moon."