Chapter 4

With three days left before my departure, I received a message from the director of the healer's clinic.

He said the master herbalist I had asked him to contact was passing through our territory today and could take a look at the old Luna's chronic ailment.

Years ago, the old Luna had been wounded by a silver weapon in battle, leaving her with a lung condition. Though managed, she suffered from severe breathing difficulty on rainy days.

While studying abroad, I had consistently asked my colleagues to help me find related case studies.

No matter what had happened, our years of connection still meant something. After doing this one last thing, my debt to them would be paid in full.

But when I told the old Luna I was taking her to see the master, her face instantly darkened.

"Why on earth would I see a master? Just because I criticized you, you're now cursing me to die early?"

"Elara, how can you be so malicious? My last check-up with the pack healers said I was perfectly healthy. There's nothing to see."

"A master herbalist who specializes in silver wounds is passing through today. You could go, just as a follow-up..."

Before I could finish, the old Luna snatched a cup from the table and hurled it at me.

"Easy for you to say. Do you think a top master is someone a jobless wanderer like you can just summon? All you do is brag! Look at Liana. She once stood in line all night to get a potion for me from a healer. Where were you then?"

She compared me to Liana again and again, her disgust making everything clear.

Anything I did was wrong. No matter how hard I tried, I would never measure up to Liana in her eyes.

As that thought settled in my heart, all I could do was laugh bitterly.

"If you don't want to go, then forget it."

I had been a fool to even try.

The Grand Naming Ceremony arrived as scheduled.

The entire pack was decorated, and the temple looked like a fairy tale.

A massive portrait of Kaelen and Liana holding the pup hung over the entrance.

Everyone was whispering, wondering if the jilted Luna would show up and cause a scene.

Inside the temple, Kaelen stood at the altar in his formal attire.

As the ceremony progressed, his eyes kept darting towards the entrance.

He was waiting for me.

Waiting for me to lose control with jealousy, or to beg him pathetically out of love.

"The auspicious moment is here! Let the Alpha and the mother bestow the name and the pack's seal upon the heir!" the priest announced.

Liana cradled the baby, blushing with pride, waiting for Kaelen to place the sacred amulet of succession around the infant's neck.

In the moment Kaelen hesitated, the temple doors were thrown open with a powerful force.

"Wait!"

A collective gasp went through the crowd. Everyone turned excitedly, expecting to see the drama of a scorned mate.

But the figure standing silhouetted against the light was a courier in a uniform, sweating and out of breath.

"Phew... glad I made it." The courier wiped his brow and strode towards the altar under everyone's watchful eyes.

"Which one of you is Mr. Kaelen? I have an urgent special delivery from a Ms. Elara. She specified it must be delivered before you seal the naming bond."

Kaelen's face darkened instantly. He stared at the red velvet box and sneered.

"I knew she couldn't hold back. What is it? A letter of apology? More of her useless potions?"

Liana covered her mouth with a giggle. "Oh, Elara. She couldn't be here in person, but she still sent such a grand gift. How thoughtful."

The courier gave them a strange look and thrust the box into Kaelen's hands.

"I don't know if it's a gift, but the sender said it was the best wedding present she could give you."

Kaelen raised an eyebrow, triumphant, and untied the ribbon in front of all his guests.

"At least she knows her place..."

His words died in his throat. As the lid opened, a powerful wave of magic swept through the hall.

A scroll, glowing with a faint blue light, floated into the air. It was a Soul Bond Annulment Scroll.

Then, a single piece of paper fluttered out from the box, landing softly on Liana's wedding dress.

Kaelen froze. He mechanically picked up the paper.

The next second, his pupils contracted violently. He staggered back two steps as if struck by lightning.

It was a pregnancy report.

Printed clearly on it were the words: "Mother: Elara; Gestational Age: 4 Weeks; Fetal Status: Twins, Extremely Strong Alpha Bloodline."