Chapter 2

I turned my head. I locked eyes with Ruby. She was walking out of the fitting room next door.

Ruby wore the exact same top. The fabric perfectly hugged her full curves. Her neck was fair and flawless. She radiated youthful energy.

The eyes of every wolf in the store were glued to her.

"Goddess, she's gorgeous. She's definitely blessed by the Moon Goddess!"

"Who's that next to her? Why are her collarbones and neck covered in scars? She looks so haggard. She totally ruined that shirt."

I felt like I had been stripped naked in public. Instinctively, I looked for Kade.

He walked over. He wrapped his arm around my waist and held me close. He acted like he was shielding me from the judging stares.

"Hey, honey. Ignore them. You are still my most beautiful mate."

Just then, Leo pointed at Ruby and laughed smugly.

"See, Dad? I told you Aunt Ruby would look better in this! You insisted Mom could pull it off. Nothing to say now, huh!"

Kade chuckled. He ruffled Leo's hair.

"Alright, you win this time."

Then, he turned back to me.

"Don't pout, baby. It's just a shirt. Let's let Ruby have this one, okay? I'll buy you a much prettier one."

He said it with a smile. Leo kept laughing non-stop beside him.

I fled back into the fitting room. My tears splashed onto the floor one by one.

I was pregnant with Leo when a rogue attacked. He slashed my neck with a silver dagger.

I managed to save my pup. But the silver severely injured my wolf and left me with these ugly scars that would never heal.

Because of this, I fell into deep anxiety for a very long time. I never dared to wear low-cut clothes again.

Back then, Kade would gently kiss these scars. He told me they were proof of a mother's great love.

When Leo got a little older, he often hugged me. He praised me for being the bravest and prettiest mom in the world.

Now, my old wounds were torn open again. They were laid bare and bleeding in front of everyone. I was in so much pain. I couldn't catch my breath.

The voices of the father and son came from outside the door.

"Dad, is Mom mad?" Leo asked.

"Of course not," Kade replied smoothly.

"Your mom is the most understanding woman in the world. She knows we love her. She also knows there's no need to ruin the mood over such a little thing."

I slid down the wall. I sat there until Kade called me to go home. Only then did I open the door.

We walked out of the store. Ruby shot me a smug glance. She deliberately shook her full shopping bags.

"Cora, check with me next time you buy clothes. I'd hate for you to feel embarrassed if we wear the same thing."

Leo sneered from the side. He rushed to carry Ruby's things.

Kade casually shoved a silk scarf into my hands. The stitching was rough. The complimentary tag was still attached.

"I picked this out just for you. Cover up those scars."

"This scarf is perfect for you. It suits you just fine."

He wrapped the scarf around my neck. Then he turned his head. He pulled a diamond hair clip from his pocket and pinned it into Ruby's hair.

I clenched my fists tightly. I swallowed down my bitter emotions.

The scarf didn't suit me well. It was just that in Kade's heart, I only deserved freebies.

Ruby delicately hooked her arm through Kade's. She smiled at me.

"Cora, I haven't picked out my snow goggles yet."

Kade grabbed my wrist. He yanked me back.

"Stop dawdling. Stay with Ruby until she's done shopping. Then we'll go."

My steps faltered. My body slammed heavily into a metal display rack.

The metal edge scraped down my calf. It sliced my skin. Blood immediately gushed out. It ran down my ankle and into my shoe.

The sharp pain made me gasp for air.

Kade and Leo didn't even look back. They escorted Ruby back into the store.

The surrounding wolves watched the drama and whispered among themselves. But a little girl walked by. She timidly handed me a bandage.

"Excuse me, are you Ms. Cora?"

My heart skipped a beat. I nodded hesitantly. The girl excitedly threw her arms around me.

"I'm a huge fan of yours! The worlds you paint are so beautiful!"

"It's such a pity that you haven't shown any new artwork in ten years."

That was right. I had almost forgotten.

Ten years ago, I was the most famous painter in the North. I was the genius she-wolf of the pack.

My paintings were full of life and soul.

Back then, Kade fell in love with my artwork first. He went to great lengths just to meet me.

He picked dewy wildflowers for me in the morning mist. He brought me exquisite desserts in the evenings.

On a full moon night, he got down on one knee. He proposed in front of the Moon Goddess statue. I said yes. With the Moon Goddess as our witness, we completed our mate bond.

After we married, he took over the pack's corporation.

I chose to stand behind him for his career. I never touched a paintbrush again inside the high walls of the pack house.

I stubbornly insisted on going to Moonstone Lake for our anniversary. That was because Kade had made a promise. He promised to take the most perfect wedding photos for me by the sacred lake.

But now, he had long forgotten about that promise.

But that was okay. I had decided to set out on my own.