Chapter 2

Some in the pack couldn't accept that Arthur wanted to sever his mate bond with me and tried to stand up for me.

However, Arthur scoffed in contempt and declared, "A hypocritical she-wolf like her isn't worthy of your attempts to defend her!

"She pretends to suffer in pain every night just to get my attention! I know she's just doing it because she can't stand seeing me take care of Lilian. But Lilian's the one who saved my life. I have to repay her!"

In that instant, the chains of love that had once bound me shattered into dust.

So, Arthur wasn't incapable of showing love to me. He simply saved all his love for Lilian.

Only a deceitful, two-faced she-wolf like Lilian was the perfect match for an arrogant and self-absorbed wolf like him.

Since that was the case, I might as well just leave the pack. It'd be far better than losing my life like I did in my previous life.

But before leaving, I was going to tell Arthur the truth about how he'd been rescued back then.

He'd better not regret what he did, for I wasn't going to take him back!

…

The next day, Arthur and I formally severed our mate bond. Wasting no time, he held a grand welcoming ceremony for Lilian that very night.

I was packing my things when Arthur's subordinate, Edward Locke, stopped me. "Sophia, Alpha Arthur is asking you to attend the welcoming ceremony. You have to attend so that everyone won't think Lilian got in between you and him.

"All you have to do is show your face. You don't need to say anything, and don't you dare speak out of turn either. Otherwise, Alpha Arthur won't let you get away with it!"

Stunned, I looked at Edward for a moment before laughing.

Why else would Edward dare to threaten me like that and show me no respect at all? Wasn't it because Arthur had given him permission to do so?

He was afraid that in my anger, I'd expose their lies, and Lilian would forever be labeled the homewrecker who ruined a pair of mates.

It was just as well. I would attend the ceremony in person and cut off all ties with Arthur, never to return ever again.

…

The welcoming ceremony was even grander than the bonding ceremony Arthur and I had had. He'd even initiated a ritual at the sacred altar, which was only done once a decade.

Arthur carefully supported Lilian down the steps, too scared to even make a noise, afraid that he might startle her.

Lilian had a bashful expression on her face as she allowed Arthur to lead her over, basking in the envy and respect of all the other wolves.

When Athur spotted me, he instinctively tried to come over and take my hand. However, Lilian let out a cry of shock and leaned into his arms. So, he had no choice but to shoot me an apologetic look before carrying Lilian to the sacred altar.

When Lacey Talbot, an Omega she-wolf I'd once helped, saw that I'd come, she looked at me in disbelief. She asked, "Luna, were you really the one who had a change of heart? Why do I feel like it's the Alpha who did?"

As I stared at the two of them in the distance, I nodded and calmly replied, "What you heard were all lies. He's the one who betrayed me and fell in love with Lilian. Soon, she'll become your new Luna."

Confused, Lacey pressed further, saying, "I can't believe it! Alpha Arthur was so in love with you. How could he have had a change of heart?

"Back then, he'd filled the cave with moonstones and designed a gown of moonlight for you. We were all so moved by the sincere vow he'd made during the Full Moon Ritual!"

I interrupted her, my voice hollow and distant as I said, "As you said, that was then."

Now, all Lilian had to do was say something along the lines of "Oh, Arthur. I feel so lonely. Can you come and keep me company?"

At her words, all of Arthur's love and affection would immediately go to her.

Sensing the steely resolve in my voice, Lacey tried to persuade me. "We've all seen the sacrifices you've made for the pack. I know you still care about Alpha Arthur. One day, he'll see through Lilian's lies, and then he'll come back to you!"

However, I shook my head. Then, in a cold, sharp voice, I said, "That's not going to happen. I no longer love him."

The wolves around us turned their gazes on me. I saw a mix of pity and mockery in the looks they gave me. Meanwhile, some simply quietly observed me.

The grand welcoming ceremony made it clear to every wolf in the pack that Lilian was important to Arthur.

"The bond between Lilian and me was destined by the Moon Goddess from the very start. I wouldn't even be here today if she hadn't saved me.

"As for Sophia, we'd decided to sever our mate bond a year ago. It was only put off for the sake of maintaining peace in the pack.

"Sophia and I will never get back together. She fell out of love with me years ago, and there are even other wolves in her… Well, forget it. I won't say more. Let's part on good terms!"