Chapter 3

After they left, Luna stared at me and let out a long, weary sigh before speaking.

"Ella, I'm sorry. I tried to persuade him, but..."

"No, Luna. I know Kelvin won't change his mind. Please don't worry about me."

"It can only be this way then. Ella, return to your den and prepare for Derek to claim you."

Hearing her words, I felt the weight on my heart finally begin to ease.

However, just as I was about to drive back, I noticed someone standing beside my car.

When I walked closer, I realized—it was Kelvin.

His wolf snarled in fury the moment I approached.

"Ella, what did you say to my mother? Don't even dream I'll change my mind. I've already marked Amanda. Go check her neck if you don't believe me," he snapped, his tone cold and cutting. "I've said it before: there's only one Luna—and that title belongs to her."

As he spoke, Amanda appeared behind him, her smile bursting like fireworks in the air.

I turned around to face her, only to be met with a smug, triumphant grin.

The fresh mark on her neck gleamed in the light—like a cruel symbol of victory.

My heart trembled violently at the sight of that fresh mark, and I could feel my wolf sobbing in a low, pained voice.

I swallowed my tears, forcing myself to look away from the crimson imprint that now stained Amanda's neck.

"Well, Ella, you've seen it for yourself," Amanda said with a mocking smile. "Kelvin marked me just now, and this mark symbolizes his love for me. Only a Luna deserves such a mark. Our bond grows stronger by the day—only the Moon Goddess herself could break it."

Then she let out a loud, scornful laugh that echoed in the air.

Kelvin stepped forward and added coldly, "Don't bother me with meaningless things anymore. As for the moonstone ring—give it to Amanda. Only the Luna of the pack has the right to wear it."

His gaze dropped to my hand, his eyes narrowing.

"Where is it?" he asked.

I stared at him, my voice ice-cold.

"I broke it—by mistake."

"What?" Kelvin's eyes widened in disbelief. "You even shattered it? Do you have any idea what that ring was? My mother inherited it from my grandmother—it's the symbol of the Luna in our pack! And you broke it?!"

His claws extended sharply, and for a moment, I thought he might actually attack me.

"She's lying, Kelvin!" Amanda jumped in quickly, clinging to his arm. "She's just jealous that I'm your Luna now. That's why she refused to return the ring. She destroyed it out of spite!"

Kelvin let out a furious growl and stormed toward me. He grabbed my arm roughly.

"Where is it, Ella? Stop playing games!"

I yanked my arm free from his grip, meeting his burning gaze with steady eyes.

"It fell to the ground the day you came to my den," I said calmly, each word deliberate. "The shards are still on the table. Go see for yourself if you don't believe me."

“Ah! Ella, I never knew you were such a venomous she-wolf!” Kelvin roared, his eyes blazing with fury.

“All that grace, understanding, and obedience—it was all fake! You destroyed my grandmother’s most cherished possession just because I wouldn’t claim you as my Luna?”

His wolf surged within him, pacing wildly beneath his skin. I could sense how hard he was trying to keep his rage in check.

Amanda quickly stepped forward, her voice dripping with triumph and mock concern.

“Kelvin, I told you from the start—she’s cunning and deceitful. Now you finally see her for what she is. A hypocrite. Selfish and manipulative.”

She pointed a trembling finger at me, her voice rising.

“She destroyed your most treasured heirloom and even tried to turn your mother against me, just to make her hate me. Everything she does is calculated.”

I held back the urge to defend myself—what was the point? Kelvin would never believe a single word I said.

But even if he did… would it change anything?

I had already made my decision. I would bond with Derek.

There was nothing left between us now.

From this moment on, Kelvin would never have the power to wound my heart again.

With that resolve, I steadied my breath, forced calm into my veins, and met his gaze with a face devoid of emotion.

Then, slowly and clearly, I said the words that would end it all:

“Kelvin, I—Ella, daughter of the Southern Werewolf General—reject you as my mate!”