Chapter 3

Ethan looked relieved. Victoria's smile tightened slightly.

"Thank you so much for your blessing, sweetheart," Victoria said sweetly. "Actually, that reminds me. I have a little favor to ask."

She looked at me with those perfectly lined eyes, her expression taking on a fake troubled look.

"You see, while the Moon Goddess's arrangement was just a small mistake, it has caused Ethan some... complications within the pack. Some people are questioning our bond."

She moved closer to Ethan, pressing against his side possessively.

"If you could attend our marking ceremony and give us your public blessing, it would silence all the doubters. Show everyone that even his former... connection... supports our union."

The request hung in the air like a trap.

I opened my mouth to refuse, but Marcus spoke up first.

"Come on, Sylvia. After everything Ethan's done for you? He saved your life when you were just a kid."

"Yeah," Leo chimed in. "Now you want to mess up his whole future because of some childhood crush?"

"That's really selfish," someone else added. "He gave you years of protection and friendship."

"Ungrateful," another voice muttered. "Like a parasite that won't let go."

The words hit me like physical blows. Everyone was staring, waiting for my response.

I looked at Ethan, hoping he'd say something. Anything.

He was silent for a long moment, his jaw tight.

Finally, he spoke. "If I love Victoria, I have to protect her. I have to take responsibility for her happiness."

He looked directly at me. "I'm sorry, Sylvia. I was just trying to comfort you back then. I never expected the Moon Goddess to make us true mates. I apologize for the confusion."

Then he turned to the pack members who'd been attacking me.

"But that's enough. Don't talk about her like that. This situation isn't her fault."

His protection felt hollow. Too little, too late.

The damage was already done. Everyone was looking at me like I was the villain in this story.

Like I was the one standing in the way of true love.

I mumbled some excuse and turned to leave, needing to escape before I completely fell apart in front of everyone.

Grief pressed down on my chest like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.

I found a quiet corner near a large window that overlooked the pack territory.

"Rough night?"

Victoria appeared beside me, holding two glasses of champagne. She offered me one.

I shook my head. "No, thank you."

"Listen," she said, her voice softer now, almost conspiratorial, "I wanted to apologize privately. What happened back there wasn't fair to you."

I just looked at her.

"I mean it, really. I'm happy for you both. I'm starting my own new life anyway."

She sipped her champagne, studying me with calculating eyes.

"Are you? You know, Ethan talks in his sleep sometimes. He used to say your name. A lot."

My breath caught. What game was she playing?

"I think he feels guilty. Leading you on with that whole 'wait until you shift' nonsense."

She shrugged. "Or maybe he actually enjoyed having a devoted little admirer following him around."

Her smile returned, sharp and knowing.

"It's been quite annoying, actually. He still buys gifts for both of us on holidays. Makes cakes for your birthday. Even refused to let you attend our marking ceremony to clear things up."

She took another sip. "But don't worry. In the end, I'll be his Luna. Not you."

Before I could respond, howls erupted from outside the hall.

Rogue wolves.

The sound froze my blood. Memories of my childhood attack came flooding back—claws, teeth, the smell of blood.

I couldn't move. My body locked up completely as the pack house erupted into chaos.

Through the windows, I could see dark shapes moving fast toward the building.

Ethan appeared instantly, his protective instincts kicking in. But he didn't look for me.

He grabbed Victoria, pulling her toward the safe room.

I stood frozen as windows shattered around us. Other pack members were shifting, fighting, protecting their families.

But I was alone. Paralyzed by fear.

A massive black rogue burst through the window near me. Its eyes were wild, foam dripping from its jaws.

I couldn't even scream.

More rogues poured in. I was surrounded, defenseless, still unable to move.

Just as the first one lunged, I heard Ethan shout from across the room.

"Sylvia!"

He started toward me, but Victoria grabbed his arm.

"Ethan, I'm hurt! The glass cut me deep. I'm bleeding!"

She collapsed against him dramatically, clutching her arm where a small scratch was barely visible.

Ethan hesitated for one crucial second, looking between us.

Then he lifted Victoria in his arms. "I need to get you to the healer. Now."

He ran out with her, never looking back.

The rogues closed in on me. Claws raked across my arms as I finally found my voice to scream.

Everything went black just as I heard Alex roar in fury, charging toward me.

I woke up in the pack hospital.

Alex was there, his face pale and his eyes red-rimmed.

"Sylvia? Oh god, Sylvia, I'm so sorry." He looked ready to cry.

"What happened?" My voice was rough as sandpaper.

"Rogue attack. You were nearly killed. Three of them had you cornered." His hands shook. "If I hadn't found you when I did..."

He looked furious. "Ethan... that bastard just left you there. Ran off with Victoria for a scratch that didn't even need healing herb."

I understood. Ethan had saved Victoria. Of course he had. She was his fiancée, his future.

And I... was just Sylvia.

The realization didn't even hurt anymore. It was simply a fact.

"It's okay, Alex," I whispered. "He made his choice. It's fine."

This made everything clear. My resolve to leave solidified completely.

Alex stared at me, his eyes filled with the same pain I felt, plus a simmering rage.

"This isn't okay, Sylvia. None of this is okay."

But I was completely certain that everything was over. Whatever I thought existed between Ethan and me, whatever future I'd dreamed of, was gone.

And I was strangely calm about it.

I was going to the European Royal Healing Academy. I would heal. I would start a new life.

I began secretly making real plans—the kind involving plane tickets and one-way journeys.

The next day, Ethan appeared at the hospital with Victoria by his side.

I was propped up in bed, my leg in a heavy cast, throbbing pain radiating from my arm where the rogue's silver claws had torn through flesh.

"Hey," he said awkwardly, hovering in the doorway.

He looked tired, maybe even a little guilty.

I kept my expression blank. "What do you want, Ethan?"

"Alex told me what happened. You got hurt. Victoria feels terrible about it."

Victoria stepped forward, her face a mask of concern. "I'm so sorry, Sylvia. I was just so panicked that night because... well, I'm pregnant. I needed to get to the healer immediately."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Pregnant.

My heart shattered completely. He'd moved on so fast. They were having a child together.

"I see," I managed to whisper.

Victoria moved closer to my bedside, reaching out as if to comfort me. "The pregnancy makes me so emotional. I didn't mean for Ethan to leave you like that."