Chapter 2

The shout caused the entire estate to erupt into applause. That single voice drew every eye toward us.

I pressed my lips together tightly, instinctively looking up at Felix, who was standing a few steps away.

But his eyes weren't on me at all. Instead, he looked helplessly at Serena beside him, as if asking for her help.

My heart seized violently, feeling like it was being crushed. I blinked hard and looked away.

I must have been crazy to expect anything from him. The person who stood with him on the altar today was Serena, not me.

Facing the excited gazes of the surrounding wolves, I spoke coldly.

"Why are you looking at me? I wasn't the one on the altar today. You should be cheering for Serena."

The room went dead silent instantly. Everyone in the pack knew exactly how much Felix spoiled his adopted sister.

Felix's face darkened.

"Nova, do you have to be so hostile on an occasion like this?"

"I already explained that the altar thing was just for fun. She's just my sister. As the future Luna, do you really have to be this petty?"

His eyes were full of irritation, making it seem as though I was the one being completely unreasonable.

But over these seven years, have I really been the unreasonable one?

He said Serena was just his sister, so washing her designer clothes by hand at twenty-two was perfectly fine.

He always held her hand when they went out. When other packs mistook her for the Luna, him refusing to clarify was also perfectly fine.

Giving her the Luna ring, the Luna gown, and even his very first vows to the Moon Goddess. All of it was perfectly fine.

Then where exactly was the line?

Was my heartbreak the only thing that didn't matter?

And now, even telling the simple truth was considered unreasonable.

It was absolutely absurd.

Feeling the tears welling up in my eyes, I quickly turned my head away, forcing them back down.

Just as I was about to speak, Serena started crying first.

"Felix, did I do something wrong to upset Nova?"

Her eyes were completely red, tears hanging on her lashes. "I really didn't mean to. I just wanted to share this first experience with you so badly."

"If Nova minds, I can give the ring back right now."

Before she could finish, Felix interrupted her with a pained look. "Stop that. You did nothing wrong. I gave you three days to do whatever you wanted, and I won't take that away from you."

He let out a long sigh and turned to me. "Nova, you agreed to let her experience it. Now you're causing a scene in public and humiliating her. Apologize to her, and we can put this behind us."

The tone Felix used made it sound like asking me to apologize was his greatest act of mercy.

I laughed.

This was far from the first time he had forced me to bow my head to Serena.

In the past, I would always argue with him.

I would argue until I was red in the face, trying to make him see that Serena wasn't the only one who felt wronged. I desperately tried to prove that I was the one actually getting hurt.

Every time we fought, he would end up hugging me guiltily. He would apologize and swear he would never let anyone cross the line again.

But the moment he turned around, everything went back to the way it was.

After a full seven years of this toxic mess, I was completely exhausted.

I pressed my lips together, took a deep breath, stood up, and spoke slowly.

"Fine. I was wrong."

I was wrong for not seeing his blatant favoritism toward Serena sooner. I was wrong for believing he would change.

Thankfully, I woke up before it was too late.

Felix froze for a few seconds when he heard that.

He had gotten exactly the result he wanted, yet a rare flash of panic crossed his eyes.

While he was dazed, I grabbed my bag and walked toward the door.

He suddenly snapped out of it, instinctively stepping forward to chase after me. But Serena wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. "Felix, the pack elders are still waiting for us to make an appearance."

I didn't hear the rest of her sentence. I just suddenly remembered something I had left behind.

The moment I turned my head, I caught Serena standing on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his.

Felix stood rooted to the spot. He didn't raise a hand to push her away.

My hand froze in my bag. A loud buzzing sound rang in my head, like something had violently exploded.

Intense pain ripped through my heart along the mating bond. My chest felt like it had been torn open by claws. Even breathing hurt.

Felix seemed to finally notice my gaze. He violently shoved her away, took a huge step back, and walked quickly toward me. "Nova."

I coldly dodged his hand. Right now, even his scent made my chest ache.

I reached up and unclasped the amber moonstone from my neck, slamming it hard onto the table. The loud noise completely cut off whatever he was about to say.

"Consider this my mating gift to you both. Keep it safe."

It was originally the anniversary gift Felix had given me. Now, I was returning it to him.

After those words, I practically fled the scene.

The moment I stepped out the door, tears fell uncontrollably. Behind me came the sound of frantic footsteps.

"Nova!"