Chapter 2

Even now, a small part of me still held onto hope. I thought Hunter had only grown cold because of a misunderstanding.

After all, our mating ceremony was just around the corner. I didn’t want our relationship to shatter at the very last moment over something like this.

More than that, I didn’t want to admit that the mate I had chosen to defy my parents and abandon everything might have been a mistake.

I ran to Hunter’s pack because my parents had arranged a marriage for me. I didn’t even know who the other person was, yet I was expected to become someone’s mate just like that.

Young and impulsive, I boarded a late-night flight and fled my parents’ control, arriving alone at a pack I had never even heard of before.

I never told anyone about my background, not even Hunter.

I knew he was one of the Alpha candidates and didn’t want him approaching me with ulterior motives. All I wanted was something pure.

When Hunter, not knowing who I was, still chose to treat me well and asked me to become his mate, I truly believed I had found real love.

However, now, seeing the disgust in his eyes, all those happy memories shattered like glass.

I looked at him calmly. “So in your eyes, I’m just a she-wolf who climbs into other he-males’ beds to secure cooperation?”

Hunter raised an eyebrow. “The photos are right here. No signs of editing. How else do you expect me to believe you?

“When I think about it now, the idea that every contract in my hands was signed through such filthy methods makes me sick.”

My heart sank to the bottom. It felt as if needles were piercing through it.

Gritting my teeth, I finally told them the truth.

“The he-wolf in that photo is my younger brother.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Freya burst out laughing as if she had just heard the biggest joke in the world.

“Your brother? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. He’s the Alpha King’s son. And you’re just an orphan. You think you can claim ties to Alpha?”

The crowd roared with laughter, mocking my so-called fantasy.

Even Hunter’s expression darkened with embarrassment. He shoved the exile notice into my hands.

“The fact that I’m not exiling you to the wastelands is already mercy for the years we spent together. If you don’t leave now, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

I clenched my jaw, but my heart felt frozen solid.

All this time, I had hidden my identity while quietly paving the way for him.

Now that he had finally secured the Alpha position he wanted, the first thing he did was drive away the one who had supported him from the shadows.

I could only blame myself for being blind, for failing to see his true face sooner.

I tightened my grip on the exile notice, no longer able to suppress the anger rising in my chest.

“Hunter, just you wait. I will make you pay!”

He let out a cold laugh. “What can an orphan like you possibly do?”

“I was blind before. I never thought you would turn out to be such a shameless she-wolf!”

At that moment, Freya slipped her arm around his shoulder and spoke in a sweet, coaxing tone.

“Why waste your breath on her? The banquet is about to begin. Let’s celebrate.”

Hunter smiled and nodded, taking her hand as they walked up onto the stage together.

Only then did I notice the matching rings on their fingers.

Hunter lifted Freya’s hand high. “Tonight’s banquet isn’t just to celebrate my early succession as Alpha. There’s another important announcement.”

He took a deep breath and said loud and proud, “From this moment on, Freya is the new Luna-to-be of this pack. Together, we will lead this pack to an even greater future.”

Thunderous applause filled the hall as everyone cheered for their so-called love.

I was the only one who stood alone in the shadows, unwanted.

So he had already been involved with Freya all along, and I had failed to see it.

I clenched my fists and swore silently to myself.

‘Everything I gave you, I will take back in full. And for the pain you caused me, I will return it to you twice over!’