Chapter 3

Hearing this, the memory of that beautiful moment seemed to stir something deep within Kaelan. His hard expression softened, a faint, ghost of a smile touching his lips.

He wanted to hear more.

"My little moonbeam, I have to tell you a secret.

"I could talk for three days and nights and still not capture how good Kaelan was to me.

"He showered Marcus and Elara with gold and jewels, elevating them to the rank of Beta.

"He took me to the Moonlight Forest to hunt an ancient dragon, just to forge its heart into a protective crystal for me.

"For four whole years, he guarded me like a precious treasure.

"It wasn't until my eighteenth birthday that he finally kissed my lips and formally asked me to be his mate.

"Little moonbeam, do you know how he got those three vicious scars on his shoulder?

"He earned them fighting for me, dueling every Alpha on the Elder Council who opposed our union.

"They said I was a jinx, that I would destroy the kingdom.

"So Kaelan challenged them, one by one, fighting until he collapsed from exhaustion.

"He defied his own father, threatening to renounce his birthright as heir if he couldn't have me as his mate.

"On the eve of our bonding ceremony, he personally removed the restrictive collar from my neck as his proposal gift.

"I couldn't believe my eyes.

"That collar was a curse I had worn since birth. Once activated, it would strip me of my wolf, reducing me to the lowest of the low.

"Through it, the royal family held the power of life and death over me.

"But Kaelan said he wanted me to be free, to be my true self, to run wild under the moonlight.

"Back then, I truly believed I was the happiest she-wolf in the world.

"I thought that was what love was supposed to be.

"But… why does fate always have to shatter my hopes, again and again?

"It doesn't matter. As long as I can be with my Alpha forever, that's enough."

Kaelan closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in pain. His hand began to tremble uncontrollably.

The voice from the pendant suddenly stopped.

Rhea wiped the blood from her lips and slowly stood up, her eyes like shards of ice as she stared at Kaelan.

"So you did love my mother that deeply once… But why, then, did you become the one who hurt her the most?"

Her question was the final straw, completely shattering the last of Kaelan's defenses.

My poor Rhea.

To her, I had only ever been a gentle, loving mother. Now, she was forced to witness the brutal humiliation I had endured.

Her words seemed to ignite Kaelan's rage. He spun around, his eyes blazing blood-red. "Shut up! Fated mates, true love, it was all a web of lies she spun!"

"She bewitched me with that cursed blood of hers! She made me think I loved her!"

"My feelings for her… none of it was real!"

Lilith hid the panic in her eyes and gently took his arm.

"My Alpha, it's all my fault. I ruined your relationship, and that's why she grew so resentful and did those… unforgivable things."

"She is my sister. Perhaps we should go back. Let her rest in peace."

The familiar scent of his Luna gradually calmed Kaelan. He stroked her hair.

"Lilith, you are too kind. If it weren't for Selene's curse, you wouldn't have nearly died in the Wolfsbane Ravine. You wouldn't have lost the ability to have children, forced to adopt the orphans of the pack."

"Tonight, I will find her inner wolf, and you will have your revenge."

Marcus and Elara immediately chimed in.

"Exactly! You can hear it in her words. She was jealous of Lilith from a young age, plotting how to steal the Alpha King's affection."

"An evil jinx like her must be utterly destroyed!"

The pack's venomous curses flew toward my inner wolf.

Only Rhea whispered to herself, "Mother, you've suffered enough. But don't worry. Soon, I will have justice for you. And then… I'll come be with you."

No one noticed the hand hidden in her sleeve, tracing an ancient and dangerous summoning sigil on the ground with her own blood.

The light in the pendant flickered once more.

My voice returned, more weathered now, heavy with a profound weariness.

"Silver Moon, Year 238. The night of the spring equinox. Everything changed.

"Forgive me, my little moonbeam, it's been a long time since I've spoken to you.

"Today, my sister Lilith fell into the Wolfsbane Ravine. She was attacked by Rogues and was covered in blood when they brought her back. She claimed I was the one who pushed her.

"All eyes turned to me.

"'It's the jinx again!'

"'Her curse has struck once more!'

"'Lilith almost died, all because of that cursed thing!'

"I would never confess to something I didn't do."