Chapter 2

Some time ago, Alpha Alaric of the Silvermoon Pack contacted me and said that the pack needed a head chef. I was known as the best cook in the pack, which was why he hoped I would return there.

However, I had flatly refused. I couldn't go back and fulfill my duties there because I was the Luna of the Nightclaw Pack, and I had to serve my pack.

But after everything that had happened, maybe it was time for me to go back.

The attack from the Rogues, Jason's constant disregard for me because he was more concerned about Grace, and what hurt me the most was losing my unborn baby.

After carefully considering Alaric's offer, I realized that I would be better off returning to the Silvermoon Pack. There was no point in staying here, in a place where my existence was barely acknowledged.

Even my own husband didn't seem to care about me.

"Hello, Cassandra. Why have you been silent all this time?"

Alpha Alaric's voice suddenly came through the phone, making me gasp in surprise. I had been so lost in my thoughts about my life that I had forgotten the call was still connected.

"Oh, yes, Alpha. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you earlier," I said, forcing myself to lie.

"All right, Cassandra. So, what about your decision? Are you going back to the Silvermoon Pack?"

"Yes. I'll go back there, but I have to finish my duties here first," I replied. I didn't want Alaric to know that Jason and I were no longer doing well.

"I'm very happy to hear that. I fully support your decision, Cassandra. The Silvermoon Pack will always welcome you."

Alaric sounded very pleased.

"Thank you for the opportunity you've given me. I'll do the job to the best of my ability."

After our call ended, I paused and took a deep breath.

Catherine, the wolf inside me, began to stir, allowing me to hear her voice.

"Are you sure about this decision, Cassandra?"

Catherine's question made me hesitate for a moment.

However, when I remembered the way Jason had treated me, my determination to leave this pack only grew stronger.

"Yes, Catherine. I'm very sure of my decision."

"If that's your decision, then I will support you."

---

Tonight, I had finished what Jason ordered me to do. The smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air in the luxurious dining room.

I looked at the dining table, which had been neatly set with small candles, and hoped that Jason would come home soon.

However, that hope felt like an empty dream.

"Why do I keep doing this? I'm the Luna, but it's like I'm just an Omega-ranked chef," I muttered as I placed the last napkin on the table.

"This might be the last time I cook for Jason. It's all for Grace anyway."

I heard Catherine's voice again, softly complaining inside my head.

"Why do you let yourself be treated like this, Cass?"

I remained silent, unwilling to respond to her question.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

I quickly picked it up and saw that Beta Kenneth was calling. I answered immediately because Beta Kenneth rarely called unless there was something important.

"Hello, Beta. What's up?" I asked, a feeling of unease settling in my chest.

"Hello, Luna. I have some bad news."

"What bad news?"

"Elder Charles is dead."

Beta Kenneth's words left me in shock.

---

The funeral that night went smoothly.

The members of the Nightclaw Pack stood in silence beneath the dark sky. Only quiet sobs could be heard throughout the cemetery.

There, I saw Jason.

But I wasn't the one standing beside him.

I saw my husband hugging Grace tightly, occasionally kissing the top of her head. My eyes burned at the sight.

It was my husband!

He should have been hugging me, not her.

He hadn't even comforted me or held me when I lost our baby.

"Don't cry anymore, Grace. I will always be by your side. Even though your father is gone, you still have me," Jason said softly.

I approached them, my heart already pounding furiously, and stopped a few steps away.

Grace caught my gaze and quickly pulled away from Jason. Her face looked as if she wanted to apologize, but I didn't need her apology.

I felt like slapping them both in front of the entire pack, but I knew my place. I could behave myself at the cemetery and show respect for Elder Charles's passing.

As the cemetery began to quiet down, only the three of us remained.

Jason was still standing close to Grace, whispering something that made her give a small nod.

"After Elder Charles's death, I can't let Grace stay alone. Starting tonight, she will live in our mansion," Jason said suddenly, looking at me with a firm, unquestionable expression.

"Living in our mansion?" I asked, almost unable to believe what I was hearing.

My chest felt as though it had been struck by something incredibly painful.

"She's homeless now, Cass," Jason replied flatly. "As Alpha, I'm responsible for the welfare of all pack members. You have no right to stop me."

I froze in the silence of the night.

His words were heartbreaking.

So painful.

"Did you hear that, Cass? He cares more about her than he does about you," Catherine muttered, her voice filled with hurt.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Wordlessly, I turned around and left them at the cemetery. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. They simply fell all the way home.

When I arrived home, I immediately ran to my room. There, I burst into tears while staring at the wardrobe. My mind was a complete mess.

"This is enough. I can't stay here anymore," I whispered to myself.

With tears in my eyes, I opened the closet and started putting my clothes into a suitcase.

Catherine sounded doubtful, although I knew she would support me.

"Are you sure you want to leave, Cass? This is your home too."

"I can't hold on anymore, Catherine," I replied softly, wiping away my tears. "Jason doesn't care about me anymore."

As I was packing my clothes, the bedroom door suddenly flew open, revealing Jason standing there with a cold, expressionless face.

"Cassandra, what are you doing?" he asked in a stern tone.