Chapter 2

Disappointment filled Damien's eyes as I remained silent. He got to his feet and coldly gave his orders to the guards, saying, "Find out Candice's whereabouts before dawn breaks. I don't care what methods you use."

He turned around and left once he was done speaking, not even bothering to spare a single glance back at me.

The moment the door of the silver cage clicked shut, I was immediately assaulted by excruciating pain as electricity and silver coursed through my body.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to beg for mercy.

As I writhed in pain, a scene from earlier that night floated to the forefront of my thoughts.

After Damien announced that Candice was going to be his Luna, I had escaped to the back gardens, feeling utterly heartbroken.

Candice had followed after me, wearing her pure white dress. Her voice had been dripping with pity when she said, "I'm sorry, Vivian. I didn't mean to take Damien away from you, but you should understand that love isn't something that can be forced, right?"

"Get out of my sight!" I spat, not bothering to mask the immense hatred I felt toward her.

Candice hadn't just taken Damien away from me. She had ruined everything that I liked in the last few years.

When I was eight years old, she had claimed that my necklace had the power to burn her. She then snatched it from me and burned it to ashes, disregarding the fact that my mother had left the necklace for me.

When I was 12 years old, I had fought tooth and nail against the other wolves to win the title of best hunter in the pack. However, Candice spread malicious rumors about me seducing the judges, causing Dad to beat me viciously.

When I was 18 years old, she poisoned me right before my wolf manifested, causing my wolf to weaken and nearly die.

It was also then that the other wolves in the Moon pack began to treat me as even lower than an Omega.

If I tried to retaliate, Candice would fix a pitiful expression on her face, making everyone believe I was the one bullying her.

Soon, everyone began to believe that I was the cruel she-wolf who was jealous of her.

However, Candice never seemed to realize how much I loathed her, or perhaps she just found too much pleasure in tormenting me. Even now, she was speaking to me in her usual pretentious tone.

"You can tell me if you're upset. Even though everyone calls you a bitch and a slut, to me, you're just my pitiful sister. I feel so heartbroken on your behalf."

Candice was wearing an innocent expression, but every word that came out of her mouth was like a blade that stabbed me in my heart.

"I told Damien to think about your feelings, especially since you were always a replacement for me to release his desires. However, he said it was fine. He said that you're just an insignificant bitch to him."

"You're lying!" I screamed.

Unable to suppress my anger any longer, I had slapped Candice hard across the face.

Candice swayed weakly before she suddenly moved closer to me, so that only I could see the venomous expression that had appeared on her face.

"What do you think Damien will do if I go missing?"

Candice actually disappeared after asking me that question, leading everyone to believe I was the villain who hurt her.

…

I noticed that someone was trying to help me to my feet through my hazy consciousness.

"I'm here to save you, Vivian!"

A young and handsome face filled my vision when I opened my eyes.

It was Lysander White, my admirer and the eldest son of the White pack.

"How could Damien bear to hurt you? Doesn't he spoil you rotten?" Lysander asked with bloodshot eyes.

He drew my weak body into his embrace. His voice was gentle but determined when he said comfortingly, "Don't worry. I'll definitely get you out of here."

"How touching."

A cold voice echoed throughout the room, followed by applause.

It was Damien. He had returned.

His expression was indifferent as he watched Lysander and me through the bars of the cage, but his lips pressed in a tight line gave away how displeased he was.

Lysander immediately shielded me behind him, but Damien didn't spare him a single glance.

"Don't think that you're allowed to hurt her just because you're the Alpha!" Lysander roared furiously. "I—"

Damien snatched me out of Lysander's arms before he could finish his sentence. He then gently touched my face right in front of Lysander, dragging his hand down toward my chest and waist.

"You really are the most beautiful slut in the Moon pack. He's still interested in you even though you're in such a sorry state.

"I didn't know you were so insatiable, Vivian. Were you secretly seducing him because I didn't satisfy you?" he asked, his voice colored with anger. "Why are you so filthy?"

I couldn't believe that Damien was saying such horrible things to me.

In the past, I had been accused of sleeping with every wolf in the pack and was labeled as the lowly and promiscuous Lycan.

The pain had been so unbearable that I had even considered taking my own life. But Damien had extended a helping hand to me then. He was the one who protected me from those hurtful words.

Could the love he showered me with for the past five years be just an act?

I mustered what little strength I had left and shoved Damien away from me, leaving a line of scratches on his arm from my sharp nails.

Damien frowned slightly as he looked at the blood that was beading along the scratches.

"Why didn't you think I was filthy when you were inside me and having your way with me?" I demanded furiously. "Since you've decided to mark Candice, why can't I find another mate?"

"Vivian!" Damien roared, a steely expression appearing on his face.

The oppressive Alpha power rolling off him in waves suffocated Lysander and me.

"How dare you betray me? You're my…"

Damien's indignant expression made it seem that he cared deeply about me.

Just then, one of the guards called out, "Alpha! We've found Ms. Candice!"