Chapter 3

I covered my burning cheek and slowly turned around.

Lilith shook out her hand. All traces of gentleness and vulnerability were gone from her face.

"You heard him, didn't you? Leo only sees you as an obedient dog. How do you still have the nerve to stay?

"A shewolf like you should leave this pack and beg some filthy rogues to take you in."

I heard a buzzing sound.

I was so furious that I laughed.

I lifted my hand to slap her back, but Lilith's eyes flickered, and she suddenly screamed. She stumbled backward and threw herself down the staircase.

"Layla!"

A furious roar suddenly came from behind me.

Leo lunged forward and caught Lilith in his arms just before she tumbled down the stairs.

Lilith trembled violently. Her eyes welled with tears instantly.

"Leo, it's all my fault. I ruined what you and Layla had. I never should've shown up."

As she spoke, she slapped herself twice across the face.

Leo grabbed her wrist and turned to glare at me.

"Explain."

I slowly lowered my hand to reveal my red, swollen cheek.

"You should be asking why she suddenly slapped me, and why she fell when I never even touched her."

"Layla!" Lilith shrieked in a shrill and frantic voice.

"Yes, I slapped you, but it was only because you threatened to hurt my friends. You said you'd drive them out of the pack! They're ordinary werewolves. If they leave, where would they even go? If you're still angry, then hit me back. Just please don't hurt them!"

My vision darkened with rage.

"You're lying. It was clearly you–"

"Enough!"

Leo cut me off coldly. "Layla, do you think I won't hurt you?"

I suddenly laughed, but my eyes felt like they were burning.

"So what now? How are you planning to defend your lying mate?"

He walked toward me slowly and grabbed the necklace around my neck.

My entire body went rigid.

It rested close to my throat.

The next second, he yanked hard. The moonstone that had stayed with me for over ten years, which was the same one that had helped him survive countless full moons, was ripped off.

The silver chain sliced across my skin, and beads of blood rolled down instantly.

"Ahh!"

The moment I lost the moonstone, my vision turned dark. I fell hard on my knees.

Pain spread from my chest to the rest of my body. I could hardly breathe.

I looked up just in time to see Leo place the moonstone, still warm with my body heat and stained with my blood, around Lilith's neck.

He then turned to the werewolves behind him.

"Take her away. Lilith's moonstone was stolen. We caught the thief red-handed."

I stared at him blankly and almost forgot to resist.

Every werewolf in the pack knew the moonstone belonged to me.

He was the one lying through his teeth right now.

Leo looked down at me. His expression was cold and unfamiliar.

"Layla, you've become too disobedient. I'll put you in confinement and let you reflect on your mistakes.

"Once you think things through, I'll let you out."

I smirked. It felt pointless to even defend myself.

The werewolves stepped forward quickly and slapped silver handcuffs onto my wrists.

I didn't resist. I let them drag me away.

As we passed each other, Leo's gaze dropped briefly to the blood on my wrist and neck. His brows twitched slightly.

But before he could speak, Lilith wrapped herself around his arm and whined sweetly.

"Leo, thank you for standing up for me. I was terrified."

He looked away from me and gently rubbed her hair.

"What do you want as compensation?"

Lilith lowered her head and touched the moonstone in front of her chest. She couldn't hide the glee in her eyes.

"I want you to never speak to that old hag again. You're only allowed to love me."