Chapter 2

I didn't know how long I'd been walking when I finally reached Ethan's territory.

My clothes were torn to shreds by thorns, and my hair was a complete mess. I looked like a rogue wolf who'd been wandering the wilderness for weeks.

The border patrol clearly thought the same thing. The moment they spotted me, they charged without a word.

But I was the strongest beta in my pack. These regular wolves were nothing.

I took them down in seconds.

Standing at the pack entrance, I called out, "Where's Alpha Ethan? Tell him to get out here."

Before long, a sickeningly sweet voice piped up nearby. "Ugh, this rogue is filthy. Ethan, make her leave."

I looked up to see a delicate-looking woman wrinkling her nose at me while complaining to the man beside her. Next to her stood a tall, rigid figure with a stern expression. I rolled my eyes.

"You must be Ethan," I said. "I'm Elara Moonveil, your fiancée. Check my pack emblem if you don't believe me. Now, hurry up and show me where I can rest."

I tossed my bag in his direction and walked past Cynthia without a second glance.

"Ethan!" That sugary voice rang out again. "She's obviously a fake! The Moonveil alpha's daughter would never be this crude. Look at her—covered in dirt, hair like a rat's nest, reeking of mud... She looks like a rogue who stole that emblem from somewhere."

"Who are you?" I asked coldly.

"Me?" She laughed, linking her arm through Ethan's with practiced familiarity. "I'm Cynthia, Ethan's childhood friend. We grew up together. You should leave now before you embarrass yourself further, imposter."

I snorted. "Oh? Childhood friends?"

I looked her up and down, my gaze settling on her hand wrapped around Ethan's arm. "Then why does the marriage contract have my name on it instead of yours?"

"Well..." Cynthia's face went stiff.

"Did I say something wrong?" I shrugged. "Or is it that you're the only one who thinks he cares about you, when really he doesn't give a damn?"

"You!" Tears welled up in Cynthia's eyes as she turned to Ethan. "Ethan, did you hear what she said? She's bullying me!"

Ethan finally spoke. "Enough."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an Alpha's command. Everyone around us instinctively lowered their heads.

Everyone except me. I kept my spine straight and met his eyes directly.

His dominance didn't work on me. Never had.

Ethan glanced at the guards I'd knocked down, then back at my unwavering stare. Something flickered in his expression—surprise, maybe.

He pulled his arm free from Cynthia's grip. After examining my emblem, he said, "I got word a few days ago that we were getting married. I assumed I'd be the one picking you up. Didn't expect you to show up on your own."

I grinned. "Couldn't wait."

He almost smiled. "Then we'll hold the ceremony in three days."

"But Ethan—" Cynthia protested.

"Shut your mouth before I rip it off," I said flatly.

Cynthia bit her lip and shot me a venomous glare before turning to leave.

As she walked away, she muttered just loud enough for us to hear: "You'll regret this, Ethan. This woman isn't worthy of you."

Once she was gone, Ethan turned back to me.

"Follow me."

He grabbed his luggage and headed deeper into pack territory without a word.

I followed behind him, cursing Ethan in my head the whole way.

He had zero intention of explaining what happened back there.

No wonder Selene had such a miserable life in the previous timeline. With a manipulative woman like Cynthia, Ethan's complete inability to communicate, and Selene being too proud to fight back, of course, Selene got screwed over.

Too bad for them, I wasn't the type to just swallow my anger and move on. If I were happy, sure, we could make this work. But if I wasn't? I'd make damn sure everyone else was just as miserable as I was.