Chapter 2

The maid told me that Kristoff had recently taken Gianna to the amusement park, and the two had been very affectionate.

"You're the one who's his fated mate. The two of you should be holding the Blue Moon ceremony. The way they're carrying on, it's obvious he doesn't respect you at all!"

The maid who had cared for me since childhood made no secret of her disapproval.

I didn't care.

I only said, "The Riverlands are rich and lovely. Let's go out and enjoy ourselves too."

After all, I'd have precious little time to come back once I was gone.

In the bustling market, I never expected to stumble on a surprise.

"Sir, wrap up this riding outfit, the boots, and the crop for me!"

The words had barely left my mouth when someone snatched up the boots.

"Kristoff, these boots are so pretty! Buy them for me, won't you?"

At some point, Gianna and Kristoff had come to stand beside me.

My expression went cold at once.

"Didn't the pack schools teach you any manners? I bought these first."

Kristoff frowned and shot back at me.

"Matilda, you have plenty of fine riding gear. Just let Gianna have this set."

I refused flat out.

"This belonged to my late mother. It was lost out near the border. I have to buy it back!"

At that, Kristoff's face softened a little.

After all, my mother and I had once saved his life.

Gianna's eyes reddened in an instant, making her look pitifully fragile.

She bit her lip, her voice turning small and wounded.

"Matilda... I'm willing to go to the North in your place and become their Luna. Kristoff is your fated mate. I won't take him from you. It's just one riding outfit. Would it really hurt to let me have it?"

Of course. My father had agreed to my request, but when he made the announcement, he left the name out.

He only said that the person going to the North had been decided.

And that in half a month, a Blue Moon marking ceremony would be held for Kristoff, the son of a martyr who had fought the vampires.

That way, if I changed my mind, my father would have a graceful excuse ready.

The whole pack knew Kristoff and I had grown up together as childhood sweethearts, and that Gianna was a younger girl he'd grown close to in college.

I'd been unreasonable and spoiled since childhood, so naturally everyone assumed Gianna was the one going to the North, and I was the one marrying Kristoff.

Others might not know the truth, but how could Gianna's father not have told her?

What a masterful, moving performance.

The market was crowded, and most people knew something about the North demanding a Luna from us.

Seeing the scene unfold in the street, more and more of them began to blame me.

"As the Alpha's daughter, you can't even shoulder your own responsibility! Such a sweet girl is going to that savage wasteland in your place, and you still fight her over a set of clothes. What a wicked heart!"

"Exactly. The Riverlands pack is doomed with an heir like you."

Then they started hurling rotten tomatoes and stinking eggs at me.