Chapter 2

Eleanor Cramer, the current matriarch of the Sterling family and the highly respected former Luna, was stunned when she learned I'd shown up at her door with that declaration letter.

Her fingers trembled as she read the letter again and again, completely stunned.

After a long time, she finally looked up, her penetrating gaze locked onto me. "It's Harrison's name. Are you saying you're willing to proceed according to what's on this declaration letter?"

I met her eyes calmly. "Yes, as long as Harrison is okay with it. The declaration has already been sent to every territory in North Aforia. It's been witnessed by the Moon Goddess now.

"Changing it would be even more disgraceful than just breaking the engagement."

Eleanor fell silent for a long time.

Harrison was her beloved youngest son. The thought of him being paralyzed and his wolf being unable to awaken because of that hunter's silver bullet was enough for her to make up her mind.

She immediately gave the green light and even authorized a hefty increase to the ceremony's budget from the family treasury.

"I heard Harrison personally covered the extra expenses with funds from his trust," Mom whispered to me.

I looked over the ridiculously extravagant budget list and gave a nod, saying it looked fine.

Preparations for the ceremony were in full swing when someone completely unexpected found me by my scent. It was Blake.

He was dressed in a sharp, custom dark-blue Tom Ford suit with his hair perfectly styled. There was nothing but smugness and schadenfreude in his amber eyes.

Trailing behind him was Sophia, reeking of the faint scent of brandy.

He obviously assumed I'd been blowing up his phone in a panic since I got that declaration. So, he was here to "comfort" me and, more importantly, to watch me make a fool of myself.

I ignored him, but he wasn't fazed in the slightest. He casually picked up the half-finished espresso on my desk, downed it in one gulp, and asked, "Is everything ready for the bonding ceremony?"

"Yes."

My icy tone clearly threw him off for a second, but he covered it up, acting like he was just making casual conversation. "Did you double-check everything?

"The guest lists for the major families, the seating chart, and… the declaration letter? I mean, it is an official document sent to the entire alliance.

"If by chance a name was printed wrong, would you need me to step in and clear things up for you?"

Every word dripped with condescension, like he was willing to do me a favor. It was obvious from his gaze that he was waiting for me to fall apart and beg him.

I played dumb to his hint. "If there's nothing else to discuss, I have family matters to take care of."

A hint of displeasure crossed Blake's face, the expression of a werewolf who wasn't used to being ignored. He pursed his lips. "Actually, there's a reason I came today.

"That sapphire ring of my grandmother's that I gave you back then—the one that's meant for my future Luna.

"Since you haven't been officially marked by me, shouldn't you return it to me first?"

I froze upon hearing that. I was only 23 when he gave me that ring.

The Codilora sun was shining brightly that day. Blake came to see me with a mysterious look on his face, and the moment we met, he slipped the ring onto my finger.

It was a vintage Cartier sapphire piece called "Tears of the Moon Goddess". The dark blue stone had a rich, mesmerizing glow under the afternoon sun, and anyone could tell at a glance that it was worth a fortune.

I tried to remove it in a panic, but he caught my wrist and wouldn't let go. The moment our skin touched, his pheromones washed over me, soothing my restless emotions like a gentle tide.

"This has been passed down in our pack for generations. It's for the future lady of the Sterling family, so take it."

The dappled sunlight fell on his shoulders, and his smile was brighter than the sun itself.

It wasn't until later that I learned Eleanor had thoroughly disciplined him using her authority as his elder after she found out he had secretly taken the ring.

But back then, Blake had stubbornly said, "I'm making Stella my Luna. The ring is going to be hers anyway."

Before I knew it, I'd worn that ring for seven years.

Just like Blake himself, it had slowly woven itself into my life, making me believe it was a werewolf's promise of lifelong loyalty.

When I said nothing, Blake assumed I didn't want to give it back.

Just as he was about to speak, Sophia slipped her arm through his and said softly, "Maybe we should just let it go, Blake. Stella's worn it for so long that it's probably covered in her scent. She must be reluctant to take it off."

Blake immediately said, "It doesn't matter how long she's worn it. It's still a Sterling family heirloom. I said I'd put it on my mate's finger, and I will."

So, that was it. He'd come to get it for Sophia. It all made sense now. Without hesitation, I slipped off the ring and handed it to him. "Here."

Blake froze. He clearly hadn't expected me to hand it over so easily. A look of shock and confusion crossed his face.

I said indifferently, “You're right. This has always been the symbol of the Sterling family's Lunas. I really shouldn't be wearing it right now."

This time, Blake was the one left feeling awkward. He took the ring back and said stiffly, "When we officially marry before the altar, I'll put it back on your finger myself."

At those words, a look of jealousy and resentment typical of an Omega crossed Sophia's gaze.

I watched Blake shove the ring into Sophia's hand and turn to leave.

However, I called after him. "Blake, since I gave the ring back, what about the titanium amulet I gave you? The one that protects you from silver?"

Blake stopped dead in his tracks. He slowly turned around, staring at me in absolute disbelief. "You want me to give it back to you? Stella, what exactly are you trying to say?"