Chapter 2

I returned to my den after leaving the infirmary.

I didn’t even know why I came back—maybe because I had nowhere else to go.

Since I bonded with Luke, I’d poured everything into this pack and our family. Every breath, every effort… it was all for them.

And yet now, I’d become the one they rejected.

The spare werewolf.

How ironic.

Just before I opened the door, I heard laughter echoing from inside.

It was them—Luke, Kristy, and my twin pups.

Their joy cut through me like a blade.

I forced a bitter smile, swallowed my pain, and steeled myself.

There was nothing left here for me to care about. In 2 days, I would be gone. For good.

As soon as I opened the door, the laughter died.

I walked straight to my room, ignoring their stares. But Luke blocked my path, his voice coldly expectant:

“So… you came back to apologize to Kristy?”

“Mom, I’m glad you can finally admit your mistake...”

Chris said coldly, his voice devoid of warmth.

“Why don’t you ever reflect on yourself until we have to point it out every single time?”

Collin snapped, his tone edged with impatience and disbelief.

I didn’t respond.

But when I turned my gaze to Kristy—I froze.

She was holding the moonlight necklace.

The one Luke had specially commissioned from the werewolf artisan for our eighth marking anniversary.

I had never even worn it once.

And now, it hung from Kristy’s neck, glowing under the light that was never meant for her.

For a split second, my breath caught in my throat. It felt like something sharp had torn through my chest.

Seeing my reaction, Kristy ran up to me, clutching the necklace and speaking quickly:

“I’m sorry, Christina. I didn’t mean to upset you. Luke said you didn’t like it... so he gave it to me. I just… I really love it. Please don’t be mad.”

“It doesn’t matter. You can keep it,”

I said coldly, my voice as frozen as the shards piercing through my chest.

“Christina, why can’t you just tolerate Kristy for once?”

Luke finally lost control of his wolf—his claws extended before he even realized it.

“You already ruined her birthday. What’s the harm in letting her borrow the necklace for a while?”

He spoke as if in a trance, his voice softening—haunted by memories.

“Her parents died protecting this pack. Mine asked us to look after her as if she were our own. You heard those words too. So why do you keep making life harder for her?”

Chris scoffed, his gaze dripping with disdain.

“Mom, you’re heartless. You always tell us to show sympathy to those less fortunate, but when it comes to Kristy, you’re just cruel.”

“Kristy never got to feel a mother’s love,”

Collin added, shaking his head in disgust.

“She lost her parents when she was just a pup. Why can’t you treat her like family? Why do you always make her your enemy?”

Then, without another word, Collin turned his back on me—like I was nothing but a stranger.

“It’s all my fault, Luke,”

Kristy choked through her sobs as she flung herself into his arms.

“Don’t blame Christina anymore. I’m just a weak Omega... I should’ve never dreamed of being accepted by her. Living under the same roof as the Alpha’s family is already the greatest blessing in my life. Who am I to wish for her kindness?”

Then, dramatically, she stepped back and whimpered,

“Maybe I should just leave this den. Christina would stop being troubled if I was gone.”

“No!”

Luke growled as he grabbed her arm and pulled her close, his voice thunderous with rage.

“Christina! Look at what you’ve done! You’ve pushed her to the edge! I will never let Kristy leave this den. Never!”

“Kristy, don’t go! We need you!”

Chris cried, clutching her hands.

“You did nothing wrong, Kristy. If someone should leave, it’s not you—it’s Mom!”

Collin snarled, shooting me a glare so vicious it felt like a dagger straight to the heart.