Chapter 3

Mom's words pierced my heart like a stake.

I ran home like a madwoman.

By the time I arrived, our yard was already packed with pack members.

Dozens of them filled the yard.

Some whispered among themselves, some wiped away tears, while others looked at me with complicated expressions.

I pushed through the crowd. My heart was racing.

Inside Ronan and Iris' bedroom, Lilith lay completely naked beneath a blanket. She was sobbing softly.

Ronan stood nearby. He was still wearing the pajamas Iris had bought him. His face was terribly pale.

Heavily pregnant, Iris stood there weeping uncontrollably.

When Ronan saw me, he looked as if he had seen a lifesaver.

"Mirabel! Mirabel, please explain this situation to them! I swear I didn't do anything! I went to bed holding Iris last night. I really don't know this shewolf–"

Lilith suddenly shrieked.

"You're lying! You sent me a message last night saying Mirabel had something she wanted to give me. That's why I came. But after I arrived, you–

"If you all don't believe me, look!"

She pulled back the blanket and exposed the bite marks on her shoulder.

Ronan shouted in desperation, "I didn't do that!"

"You did it and now you're denying it?"

Lilith looked up.

"You clearly wanted to claim me! If I hadn't fought back so desperately... you would have succeeded!"

There were murmurs in the yard.

"Look at that poor shewolf crying her heart out. How are you still pretending?"

"Iris is pregnant and you're about to have your marking ceremony! How could you do something so disgusting?"

The members of Iris' pack looked increasingly furious.

"How can someone with such outrageous behavior be worthy of being an alpha?"

Iris' father punched Ronan so hard he nearly lost his balance.

"This is Iris' bedroom. You actually–"

His eyes rolled back as he collapsed.

"No!"

Sweat trickled down Iris' forehead as she clutched her stomach.

"My stomach hurts. It hurts so bad–"

My parents panicked. Mom held Iris.

"How did this happen?"

Ronan's pupils had turned into a terrifying red due to his rage. His voice was hoarse.

"I really never touched her–"

Lilith cried even harder. Her eyes were filled with righteous determination. It was as if she were ready to flip the table over.

"If you won't admit it, then summon the Council of Elders! Let them decide who's telling the truth!

"I'll make sure you're stripped of your position as Alpha–"

She turned as if to call for them. The crowd buzzed with discussion.

"The elders would never tolerate something like this!"

"Looks like the pack will be getting a new Alpha."

"Who would've thought he was this kind of werewolf?"

One comment after another came from the yard.

It was only when Ronan released his alpha aura that the surrounding murmurs subsided.

Mom kept shaking her head. “No! My son would never do such a thing, absolutely not!”

Dad seemed to age decades in a single instant.

Watching everything unfold, my mind went completely blank.

'How did this happen?

'I'd already sent Lilith away.

'Why had this still happened?

'Why wouldn't fate leave my family alone?'

A trace of triumph flashed through Lilith's eyes, but she deliberately put on a magnanimous expression.

"If he wants to keep his position, that's fine, but I have two conditions. I'll become his Luna, and I want a million dollars!"

"Impossible!"

Ronan fixed his gaze on her, wishing he could tear her apart.

"Then I'll summon the elders. You owe me justice," Lilith said through tears.

That was when I finally spoke.

"Fine. We agree."

Joy flashed across Lilith's face.

"You'll let him mark me officially?"

I shook my head and looked straight into her eyes.

"No. We agree to summon the elders."

"Mirabel!" Mom cried out and looked at me in disbelief.

I helped her to her feet.

"Trust me."