Chapter 2

At the pack headquarters, my job was to treat severely injured warriors. As the most gifted chief healer of the pack, my healing abilities were known throughout the entire werewolf alliance.

Even heavily wounded patients from other packs often traveled great distances to seek my help. My hands could mend injuries that other healers found hopeless, even bringing back warriors on the brink of death from silver poisoning.

Every time I watched a gravely wounded soldier stand up again and embrace their mate after my treatment, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment.

That was why, even as a Luna, I still chose to keep studying the healing arts.

My hands hovered over a patient’s wound, and a gentle healing light flowed slowly from them.

Shattered bones began to knit back together under the guidance of my energy.

"Chloe, I knew you’d be here."

At the sound of that voice, my hands trembled slightly.

It was my mentor, Elder Healer Maureen Sawyer, the most respected healer in the pack. She hadn’t come to me personally in years.

"Master," I greeted her respectfully.

Maureen glanced at the warrior I had just treated and nodded approvingly. "Your healing techniques have become even more refined. At this point, you’ve likely surpassed me."

I shook my head. "Only because I had a good teacher."

"That’s exactly why I’ve come to you today." Her voice suddenly grew heavy. "There’s been a severe silver dust leak in the Northern Territory. It’s caused massive casualties, and the entire area is under lockdown. At this point, only you have the ability to save the critically injured."

I looked up and saw my mentor had set aside all pride, her tone urgent and pleading.

"Chloe, I know how hard it is for a Luna to leave her Alpha. But the pack—your people—they truly need you."

"How long will I be gone?"

"At least three years. The area is part of the border’s restricted zone. To prevent further contamination, the whole region will be completely sealed off. No one can enter or leave. There will be no communication with the outside world until the mission ends."

Maureen’s voice turned hoarse. "For your safety, you’ll have to give up your Luna identity temporarily and go undercover as a common healer. This will be a top-secret medical assignment; not even your Alpha can know your location."

I’d never seen her like this before. There was no authority in her eyes, only pain and desperation. She wasn’t ordering me. She was begging.

In that moment, I realized the situation was far more serious than I’d imagined.

I stayed silent, my heart torn in two.

On one side, there was my Alpha, who swore I was his only one. On the other hand, there were my people—those bound to me by blood.

In the end, I let out a bitter smile. "Master, may I think about it?"

Maureen sighed. "Of course. But the injured are waiting for you, Chloe. We don’t know how much longer they can hold on…"

After anxiously finishing the rest of my work, I unexpectedly received a message from Aiden saying he was going to cook dinner.

[I’ll be cooking tonight. Wait for me to come home and eat together.]

The message surprised me.

Ever since we became mates, I had always been the one preparing every meal. I remember when I was exhausted from work, I had jokingly asked him to cook just once.

At the time, he had held me gently and said, "My cooking’s terrible. I’m afraid you won’t like it. Besides, I love eating the food you make."

His words touched me deeply. Determined to ensure he always enjoyed delicious food, I dedicated myself to learning how to cook. Despite occasional burns, I persevered without complaint.

Until one day, Lana proudly bragged in front of me, "Aiden’s cooking is amazing! He always makes my favorite dishes just for me. Chloe, I’m sure you eat his cooking all the time too, right?"

We fought after that.

As always, Aiden used his usual tone of indifference to say, "Lana can’t cook. Her health isn’t great either. She’s prone to allergies, and she can’t always eat out. She’s not like you. You can do everything. As a mature Luna, you shouldn’t be fussing over these little things."

Later, I forgave him again under his tender persuasion.

Love is like poison—it robs you of reason.

Still, I couldn’t help replying to his message.

[Okay.]

When I stepped through the door, I was greeted by the aroma of food.

Aiden’s voice called from the kitchen, "Chloe, go wash your hands. It’s almost ready."

I quietly sat at the table, emotions surging in my chest. I didn’t expect him to actually cook. If this had happened on any other day in the past, I would’ve been overjoyed.

Aiden soon brought out four dishes and a soup. Though it was simple homestyle food, I could tell from the first bite that his cooking was actually quite good.

"Chloe," he said, his voice uneasy, "why have you been ignoring me these past few days? I know you’re upset about Lana. But she just twisted her ankle that day. That’s why I went to take care of her. I wasn’t trying to deceive you."

Not trying? My heart ached violently, but I still replied calmly, "Mm. Okay."

His face darkened at my indifference. He thought I was still sulking. "Chloe McCarthy, can’t you calm down? Don’t always be so emotional. Lana and I grew up together. Her parents died for the pack, and I promised them I’d take care of her. Besides, she doesn’t even have her wolf yet..."

I could feel his frustration building, but I only smiled gently. "I understand. You don’t need to explain."

"Can you just tell me what you really think?" he snapped. "How many times do I have to say it? Lana is just like a sister to me. Why can’t you believe me?"

Lana. Always Lana.

Somehow, every conversation between us had become about her. And now, he was even raising his voice at me for that so-called "sister".

There was nothing left to say. Aiden’s actions already said it all.

I felt all my strength drain away. Even my hand holding the chopsticks felt numb. I’d message my mentor soon and accept the assignment.

After all, I no longer felt like Aiden’s "only one".