Chapter 3

That night, Stellan didn't return to our den, just as I had expected.

The old wounds from silver poisoning throbbed painfully all night long. It wasn't until dawn that I was finally able to sit upright.

Stellan's voice came through the mind-link. "Judith, last night—"

"I'm not interested in hearing it." I blocked the connection coldly.

I had already imagined their night in my head more than a hundred times. Not a single version was something I wanted to hear or confirm.

"Judith, do you really have to keep giving me the cold shoulder?" Stellan forcibly reestablished the mind-link. His voice was laced with anger.

I stayed silent and waited for him to continue.

Then, Nigella's voice suddenly cut in. "Stellan, please don't fight with Judith. If she truly can't tolerate my presence, I can just wander outside for another ten years."

"That won't happen," Stellan soothed her gently through the mind-link.

He then turned his attention to me. His tone shifted into that of an Alpha issuing a command. "There's a family dinner at the Greenwood pack later. I want you to attend it."

"You must come, Judith," Nigella added in a cloying voice.

With that, the mind-link cut off.

I clenched my fists, and my nails dug deep into my palms.

Of course, I would go. My parents were there. My mate was there. What did I have to fear?

Two hours later, I arrived at the Greenwood pack's cave, dressed in full ceremonial attire. Meanwhile, Nigella was sitting barefoot atop a stone platform covered in thick pelts.

She held several pieces of animal hide etched with drawings and was animatedly describing the outside world to my parents and Stellan. She wore an outfit made of soft, tanned leather with her hair cascading loosely down her back.

When Nigella saw me, she froze for a moment before covering her mouth as she burst into amused laughter.

She teased, "It's just a family dinner, Judith. Why are you dressed so formally? Don't tell me you want to outdress me for a meal?"

My steps halted as I froze in place. My hands instinctively balled into fists.

Still, I smiled and feigned indifference. "Oh? And what about this 'effortless' look of yours? That took quite a bit of effort, didn't it? I'm not like you. If I dress too casually and envoys from other packs see me, it damages the image of the Luna Queen of the North."

"Why, you!" Nigella sprang to her feet. Her eyes reddened instantly, and just the right amount of tears swam in her eyes.

She cried, "You're nothing but a thief who stole my mate while I was gone! What right do you have to flaunt anything?"

Hearing that from a she-wolf who had run away from her own mate-bonding was so ironic that it felt comical.

I swept a glance over my flustered parents and let out a cold laugh. "Between the two of us, who's the real thief? When you're pleased with life here, you call yourself the Greenwood pack's princess and say the entire territory belongs to you alone. But the moment you're displeased, you say a wolf's life should be lived on her own terms.

"You walked away without any regard for anyone or anything. Why should I be the one to clean up your mess and complete this bullshit political marriage?"

"Judith!"

Stellan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly roared indignantly. His Alpha aura poured out, and the air around us became suffocating.

"Do you have to voice your regrets so blatantly?" His eyes were bloodshot as he charged toward me. His right hand was raised high.

I lifted my chin and glared back at him unyieldingly.

I thought it was fine to let him hit me. Maybe that slap would finally wake me from my ten-year delusion that I would be the rightful Luna.

"Stellan, don't!" Nigella rushed up and wrapped her arms around him from behind, choking back sobs. "You and I already made our feelings clear last night. I'm content with that. If you and Judith fight again because of me, I'd feel bad about it."

What feelings? Why didn't Stellan push her away?

My mind was in chaos, and the words spilled out before I could stop them.

I sneered, "Stellan, all you can do is throw your weight around in front of me. But in front of Nigella, aren't you just a well-behaved dog?"

The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the cave, plunging it into silence.

A burning pain spread from my cheek straight into my heart.

Behind Stellan's back, Nigella peeked out and smiled smugly.

"Judith!" Mom hurried over and reached for my face with trembling hands.

"Get lost!" I roared and stepped back stubbornly to put some distance between us.

Then, I stared straight at Stellan and said with deliberate clarity, "I want to sever our mate bond. In exchange for ten years of my life, it isn't too much to ask for 20 fertile valleys, is it?"

Stellan's eyes widened, and his breathing hitched.

He stood frozen in place and stared at me intently, like he was seeing me for the very first time.