Chapter 2

"If you still want me to be your mate... Wait. What did you just say?" Matthew had spoken before realizing what I had answered. His brows pulled together in irritation.

He continued, "What game are you playing now?"

Everyone knew how desperately I had clung to the idea of being his mate.

After I was brought home, I followed Matthew like a loyal little shadow.

I would wait for him on the road every day just to hand him a bundle of wild berries. I would cook wormwood-root stew after every patrol, hoping it would chase away the scent of blood on him.

His teammates would always whistle and joke around whenever I showed up. "Your fiancee's here again. What is it this time, mud or swamp water? Guess that rogue wolf background really shows. She always brings the weirdest stuff."

Matthew would turn bright red from embarrassment, glare at me, and snap, "Stop coming out to find me. Just stay home. All you ever do is make us look ridiculous."

He would walk off without a second glance, as if getting too close to me might infect him with something.

However, he had completely forgotten how close we once were ten years ago.

We went to school together and walked the forest path home together. He used to protect me at school and share his favorite sweet red berries with me.

It was his favorite kind of berry. It was bright red, sweet, and growing right along the edge of the forest. It was also small and impossibly cute.

He once told me, "Shee, I like you. Be my mate someday, okay? I'll give you all the berries I pick."

Back then, Tatiana was still a toddler. I was our parents' cherished little princess, and they arranged the engagement between Matthew and me.

I truly believed I was the happiest she-wolf in the Blue Moon Pack, until the day he sneaked me out of the territory to pick berries at the forest's edge.

A band of rogue wolves attacked us. He shielded me as we ran, but just before we reached safety, I fell. I was too young then. There was no way I would make it back at his pace. So I let go of his hand and shouted, "Matthew, run! The patrol team is right ahead!"

However, there was no patrol team. I lied to make him escape. I fell down a slope and lost consciousness for an entire day and night.

When I woke, I was already with a band of rogue wolves, too far from home to return.

For ten years, I never forgot him. I never forgot my parents who once loved me, nor the little sister who used to adore me.

But why was it that when I finally returned after ten years, there was no longer a place for me in my own home?

Matthew, who grew up by my side, forgot all the warmth we once shared and turned his attention to Tatiana instead.

The parents who once adored me now look at me with nothing but disdain. Only when they looked at Tatiana did I recognize the affection they used to give me. Even Tatiana, who once idolized me, now met my gaze with nothing but hostility and contempt.

I spent an entire lifetime learning one truth—what was lost could never be forced back.

With that clarity, I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head. "I've caused you a lot of trouble by clinging to you for so long. I'm sorry. I won't do that anymore."

Matthew froze, genuinely surprised as he looked at me properly for the first time. "You're really not going to cling to me anymore?"

I nodded with equal seriousness. "Really. I won't. I'll tell my father later that we should end the engagement."

Matthew suddenly exploded. "Sheila, are you threatening me with the engagement again? Just because I postponed the marking ceremony?"

He took a deep breath, calming himself slightly. "Tatiana just finished her coming-of-age ceremony. I promised to take her to the Northern Plains for two days. Stop making a fuss, okay? I already scheduled our marking ceremony for three days from now. We'll hold it after we get back."

I was ready to tell him there would be no ceremony at all, that I was leaving the Blue Moon Pack and giving up the role of his mate.

But before I could speak, he cut me off again, "Enough. I'm glad you're finally acting sensibly. The marking ceremony is settled. Tatiana has had a hard enough time already. She just wants a little trip to clear her mind. As her sister, you should understand."

I swallowed every explanation and simply said softly, "Alright."