Chapter 2

In my past life, I was approached by a mysterious man. He had saved my life from the rogue wolves when Klaid left me alone in the woods to go meet Mia in secret.

The very next day, he proposed to me to be his mate. But, at that time, I was determined to cure Klaid and gain fortune for my family– just to be seen by my parents for once. So, I ruthlessly rejected his offer.

But, after I was brutally murdered, I found out He was the only person who wept for me. While my parents only cursed me at my funeral, he was the one taking down all those wolves responsible for my death before killing himself.

My heart bled for him. So, this time I’ll make the right choice.

While I was busy preparing for our mating ceremony with him, Klaid sent the invitation to the whole kingdom for his ceremony with Mia.

Coincidentally, it was the same day we were going to form the mate bond.

He held my hands gently and said in a soft voice, “Don't worry, I’ll not make you feel inferior to anyone. I’m leaving for the South Kingdom to fetch you a marking gift that only matches royalty.”

“I have already selected the ceremony gown for you. My men will take you there to check the fittings. I’ll be back soon, Sweetheart.”

The next day, after I put on the white silk gown he had selected for me to wear for our mating ceremony, the whole boutique was mesmerized by the sight. It was as if the person wearing that gown would magically transform into the Moon Goddess herself.

The sales girl helping me shyly asked, “Lady Katherine, whom are you going to mate with, actually?”

I didn't say anything. But, she continued, “Do you know the fabric and embroidery of this gown? They were all selected by that person. He stayed here the whole night and instructed us to prepare the gown. It's his own design.”

My heart skipped a beat at his sincerity towards me and our bond. But the next second, an ugly but familiar voice landed on my ears.

“Klaid… I want that gown for our ceremony.”

I turned to look back only to meet Klaid's and my parents’ gaze, laced with shock and disgust.

“Katherine! What are you doing here wearing a marking gown? It's not your ceremony but Mia’s?”

Klaid’s eyes opened wide in surprise. I caught him scanning me in the dress before he pulled on a long face and yelled at me. “You jealous bitch! You act so distant but crash here just to get my attention, don't you?”

My mother barked at me, “Take that wedding dress off right now and get out! You don't have an ounce of grace—are you really that desperate to get mated? You are utterly disgracing our Pack!"

I let out a cold laugh and snapped back without a shred of restraint, "I am twenty-three years old. Do I need your permission to go where I want and do what I want?"

"This ceremony dress is mine. No one is taking it!"

"You rebellious daughter!" My father slapped me hard across the face, while my mother lunged forward, frantically tearing at my dress.

"If your sister likes it, it’s hers! Take it off!"

I tried to fight back, but the moment Klaid snatched the white gemstone bracelet off my wrist, I lost it.

“Give it back!” I yelled, my eyes red in rage.

Klaid, as if found the sour spot, said, “That much fire… for this bracelet?”

He walked closer and grabbed my waist as he slammed me against the wall and said, “If you want this bracelet back, take off your dress. Right Now!”

That bracelet was the first gift from my mate. He gave it to me before leaving. I did not want to lose it. So, clenching my fists tightly, I said.

“Fine! You want this dress, take it. Soon it will be mine anyway.”

With that, I unzipped my gown and took it off.

Beneath the gown, I was only wearing pasties and underwear, which were instantly exposed to his full view. A flash of stunned admiration crossed his eyes. Mia, catching all of this, smirked,

“Sister! How can you be so shameless as to strip off your dress here? If it's not your desperate attempt to seduce my man, then what is it?”

“It was you guys who forced me to do it.” I snapped back only to receive another slap from my Dad. “You wretched girl! Get out of our sight. You are embarrassing us.”

Klaid took off his coat and quickly threw it on me. Holding me by my arms, he said, “Let me kick her out. She doesn't deserve to be here.”

He dragged me all the way out. As soon as we reached his car, he slammed me against the car’s door and whispered into my ear, “That was a nice trick to grab my attention, to be honest.”

“Since you are so desperate to throw yourself on me, I’ll just keep you as my mistress. One day a week, I’ll spend the night with you,” he added.

I snapped back."Did you seriously think a counterfeit piece of trash was worth it to you? Scram! A parasite dreaming of owning the host.”

His smug grin vanished, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Know your place. Look at yourself in the mirror—without my charity, you're nothing but damaged goods. You won't get a better offer, so stop playing hard to get."

He didn't wait for my reply, gesturing coldly to his bodyguards to drag me out and throw me into the back of his car.

Safe behind the locked door of my bedroom, a vicious laugh bubbled up in my throat. Let him threaten me. Let him look down on me.

There were only forty-eight hours left. I could already picture that arrogant prick transforming into a dog and licking everyone's boots.