Chapter 2

After Ronan and I bonded, the wolfsbane in me never improved.

If I relaxed for even a moment, I would slip into hallucinations and hurt myself.

Ronan ran back and forth between pack duties and me.

I watched the light in his eyes fade little by little.

During the seventh anniversary of our mate bond, I cooked a full table of dishes myself, put on the white dress he loved most, and sat at the table waiting for him.

He never came.

Instead, a livestream notification for a celebration party popped up on the pack network.

At the center of the screen was Ronan.

He was smiling gently as he placed a ceremonial crown on Evelyn's head.

The crown was hand-carved and inlaid with moonstones that shimmered softly under the lights.

The design looked extremely familiar.

A sharp pain pierced my chest, and I finally remembered.

It was the Luna crown design I had secretly drawn for myself when I was 18.

Ronan had seen it back then. He had carefully folded the sketch and put it away. His expression had been serious and solemn. "Carly, when I learn how to carve, I'll make one for you myself."

Now, he had truly made it. It was just not for me.

On the screen, Evelyn held the dazzling crown. She was smiling brightly. "Alpha Ronan, thank you. This is the most precious honor I've ever received."

Ronan looked at her with warmth in his eyes. "You deserve it. You've worked hard these past few days."

I had only ever seen that look when he was 18 and looking at me.

My breath caught.

I jolted awake from my memories and realized I had fallen asleep with my head on the table.

Ronan had come back at some point. He stood not far away, quietly looking at my hair. His expression was unreadable.

Ever since the wolfsbane worsened, I had had no energy to care for myself. I usually let my long hair hang in a tangled mess.

However, now, it had been braided into something neat and beautiful. It looked simple, but it took a lot of effort to do.

Only the 18-year-old Ronan had ever had the patience to braid my hair like this.

I stood up with a smile. Thinking it was the 18-year-old Ronan, I threw myself into his arms.

"Thank you for braiding my hair. You stayed with me for so long today. I'm really happy."

Ronan stiffened, caught off guard by my sudden closeness.

After a few seconds of silence, he awkwardly raised his arms and gently hugged me back.

"Carly," his voice came from above me, "are you… having hallucinations again?"

That tone was like a bucket of ice water poured over me.

It wasn't him.

It wasn't the 18-year-old Ronan.

"Ah!" I screamed and broke free from Ronan's arms. I shrank back into the chair.

"No! You're not him! Get away from me!"

Ronan walked closer, sighed, and released a calming scent.

He bent down and kissed my forehead. His voice was gentler than it had ever been as he said, "It's okay. Did you forget to take your medicine again? I'll get it for you later.

"I know you're upset about the celebration party and jealous of Evelyn. But no matter how angry you are, you shouldn't have hurt her with a silver needle.

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the hunting festival. Come with me. Apologize to Evelyn then, alright?"

After he finished speaking, his grip on my arms loosened slightly, as if he was waiting for me to agree.

Just then, a familiar voice suddenly rang in my ears. It sounded urgent and steady, as if crossing a long stretch of time.

"Carly, run! Don't look back! Run somewhere safe!"

It was what the 18-year-old Ronan had shouted at me. His body had been slick with blood as he stood as a shield before me.

I looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before me and made my decision.

"Ronan."

I forced a smile that looked worse than crying and continued in a trembling voice, "Let's dissolve our mate bond."