Chapter 3

Even though it was pouring heavily, he was standing tall in front of me in his black attire, which was as dark as the night.

There was something in his eyes that scared my inner wolf. I gulped, trying to shift my gaze away from his piercing eyes.

A man rushed toward him from behind, holding an umbrella over his head.

I was staring at Daniel.

Even though the umbrella was now shielding him from the rain, her face was wet. Raindrops were dripping down his sharp jawline.

When my gaze locked with his again, I lowered my head, clutching my ring in my palm.

He kneeled down on one knee in front of me out of the blue, which scared me.

He lifted his hand and placed one finger under my chin. I felt shivers around my spine because of his touch.

With slow motion, he lifted my chin, making me look at him again.

When I looked at him again, a smirk formed on his lips.

His eyes stared into mine as if they could see through me.

With a smug look on his face, he muttered,

"Teary eyes, pale face, broken heart... Interesting."

I clenched my jaw while staring at him. I did not know why, but I did not like this man.

He was both my husband's rival and his stepbrother.

Perhaps that is why he chose a rivalry with Leo. No matter how successful he had become, in my eyes, my husband was the best man.

Daniel was one year younger than Leo but three years older than me.

Daniel looked younger than his age. Perhaps it was because Leo took his responsibility more seriously, whereas Daniel did not and instead lived his life carelessly.

Before I could push his hand, he let go of my chin and stood up straight. His eyes moved from me as he looked at the butler.

"Send my condolences to your former Alpha and Luna. They must be very upset after losing the apple of their eyes."

After that, he gave me one last look before walking past.

The butler bowed in his direction.

"Young Master, will you not go to the pack house while you are here?"

Daniel paused, turned his head to the side, and replied,

"That's not my house. And I don't need anyone's permission to visit any pack."

The Butler turned silent and lowered his head. Daniel's presence astounded the guards. They stood there silently, afraid to say anything.

When Daniel started to walk away again along with his guard, I got to my feet.

When I got to Leo's car, I told the driver to start the car.

Throughout the ride, my mood was off. I kept looking down at the ring on my hand.

I arrived at the house and found all the family members were present in the pack house.

Leo's father, Wesley Easton, had two siblings: Uncle Mason and Aunt Raya. They lived with us, along with their families.

Uncle Mason and his wife, Britney, had two daughters, while Aunt Raya and her husband, Mack Brown, had one son. He was the only son left in the family after Leo died.

His name was Fraser Brown. He was an attractive gentleman. He was a few months younger than Leo, who was the first young master of the house.

Fraser had just come from abroad and was ready to start his own business. If he were my father-in-law's or Uncle Mason's son, it would be easy for him to sit on the throne since Leo had died.

However, he was not the heir or related to them by blood.

After Leo died, Uncle Mason left the pack with his family for safety. My parents also sent my brother and sister abroad for the same reason. Leo's sister, Daisy, was the only one to stay here. She was twelve, and my father-in-law, Wesley, said he could take care of his daughter without sending her anywhere.

In the living room,

I was sitting on the couch, looking at the floor and listening to the conversation around me.

I did not want to be involved in this. Because they were discussing where I should go.

My parents had arrived today to meet me. They requested my in-laws to let me go with them for a while.

"She can't go with you," my mother-in-law, Clara, said to mother, Ruby Brooks.

"But—"

"You are aware that she is now more than just your daughter; she is our pack's Luna. She should stay here even in her bad times."

She was very strict. Even my grandparents listened to her. So, who was I to speak out against her?

I exhaled deeply, not feeling well. I wanted to cry, but I fought the urge.

"Our pack is in a risky situation right now. Don't you think so?" Uncle Mack said.

"And what about Violet? She is too young to live a life like a widow," grandma Lily interrupted them.

My mother gripped my hand tightly, giving me the strength to calm down in this agonizing situation.

Suddenly, my father-in-law, Wesley, stood up and looked around the couches.

"Today, I called you all here to tell you about something."

Everyone turned their heads to him, eagerly waiting for him to continue.

"Violet needs to get married soon. She deserves to be free. She can't be a widow forever. She has the right to move on."

I slowly raised my gaze to look at him.

He looked at me and nodded his head. "You should marry someone as soon as possible. It will be best for you, my child."

My heart shuddered inside.

How could he say that? How could I marry someone?

Clara got up from the couch and grabbed his arm. "What are you saying? Have you lost your mind?"

Wesley yanked his arm and angrily stated, "I am the former Alpha of this pack. Don't come in this matter. I can not ruin a child's life. Her father is my friend. I promised him I would treat her like my own child."

My father, Karson Brooks, appeared relieved when he heard Wesley. But I was not happy.

"But where did we get a man for her? Who would want to marry a widow?" Clara asked, with the intention of making others understand her point.

All of a sudden, Fraser stood up and said,

"I will marry her."