Chapter 2

"Regina!" Clara burst into tears, her voice trembling. "Why are you doing this to me?"

I stared at her coldly. "Doing what to you?"

"You know Fabian and I grew up together! You're jealous of our friendship, so you're trying to drive a wedge between us!"

Tears streamed down her perfect, doll-like face. "I'm just not well, and I need a friend to look after me. Why do you have to be so cruel?"

I almost laughed.

"You're wearing my Luna shawl and cuddling up to my fiancé, and you call that friendship?"

"That's just... it's just because the moonlight helps with my illness," Clara sobbed. "Fabian was just being kind and lent it to me. I didn't think you'd misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?" I held up my phone. "Is this video a misunderstanding too?"

Fabian finally spoke. "That's enough, Regina. Clara's right. You've gone too far."

I turned to leave.

Wasting another word on these two scumbags was pointless.

But as I reached the edge of the territory, a powerful Alpha presence slammed into me.

The force knocked me to my knees, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Liam?" I looked up to see my former mate standing a short distance away, his eyes like ice.

"Look what you've done," he said, holding up his phone. "Look what you posted on PackNet."

The screen glowed, showing a private PackNet account.

The account name: Regina & Fabian's Love Nest.

It was filled with intimate pictures of Fabian and Clara.

Hugging, kissing, and even more private scenes.

"I didn't post this!" I scrambled to my feet, shocked.

"Besides you and Fabian, no one knows this account exists," Liam's voice was frigid. "You used dark magic to fake these images just to slander Clara? You're bullying her because she doesn't have a wolf soul and can't even register for PackNet!"

I understood in an instant.

This was a trap set by Fabian and the witch.

Only he knew the password to our private account.

"Liam, just listen to me—"

"Enough!" he cut me off. "I can't believe you were ever my fated mate! Thank the Goddess I rejected you. A vicious she-wolf like you doesn't deserve Clara's perfection!"

Footsteps rushed up behind me.

Fabian had arrived with Clara.

The moment Clara saw the images on the phone, she covered her face in horror. "Oh god, Regina, how could you? These are all fake!"

"Liam, calm down," Fabian said, walking over with a heavy expression. "I know these pictures are hard to look at, but Regina... she just loves me too much. That's why she did this."

"Loves you too much?" Liam's eyes burned with fury. "She used dark magic to frame an innocent person!"

"I understand your anger," Fabian sighed. "But for my sake, please forgive her this once. I'll handle her."

Handle me?

I couldn't believe my ears.

"Fabian, please don't cover for her," Clara cried, her tears a waterfall. "This isn't the first time she's targeted me. I'm so scared..."

"It won't happen again," Fabian said, turning to me. He stroked my cheek, a gesture that looked like comfort to others but felt like a warning to me. "Right, Regina?"

Liam snorted. "If it weren't for Fabian, I would have already reported this to the Wolf Council."

He turned to leave, throwing one last sentence over his shoulder. "Regina, you make me sick."

I returned home, heartbroken, to find my father waiting for me in the living room.

My father's expression was thunderous.

"Kneel."

I didn't move.

"I said, KNEEL!" he roared. "Do you have any idea how your foolishness is going to destroy this family?"

"What foolishness?"

"Don't play dumb! Liam already told me everything." My father's eyes were filled with disappointment. "You used dark magic to frame Clara! If the Wolf Council hears about this, our entire family will be exiled!"

"I didn't—"

"You dare deny it!" My father raised his hand. "Today, I’ll teach you the lesson your mother is no longer here to give you!"

But a strong hand caught his wrist before the slap could land.

"Please, stop," Fabian said, standing in front of me. "She already knows she was wrong."

My father froze. "Fabian, you..."

"I'll handle this." Fabian turned to me, his gaze full of love. "Regina only did these things because she loves me so deeply. I can forgive her."

Tears of gratitude welled in my father's eyes, his anger replaced by relief. "Fabian, you are such a good man. Regina is truly blessed to have you."

"She is my mate. Of course, I have to protect her," Fabian said, taking my hand. "The marking ceremony will proceed as planned tonight."

My father nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, of course. I'll go get everything ready."

Once my father left, it was just Fabian and me.

I yanked my hand away. "Aren't you tired of acting?"

"What?"

"Playing the loving, forgiving, perfect mate for everyone." I sneered. "Doesn't it get exhausting?"

Fabian was silent for a moment, then he closed the distance and pulled me into his arms.

"Regina, I truly do love you," he whispered. "Clara is just a friend. I have no other feelings for her."

"Tonight's ceremony will be perfect. I will mark you before the entire pack and make you the most revered Luna in our history."

He didn't mention Clara at all, just repeated how much he loved me.

My heart sank even further.

Everyone saw Fabian as the perfect Alpha mate. No one knew he was doing all this just to steal my wolf soul.