Chapter 5

After returning home, I immediately fell ill.

I was jolted awake by a sharp voice. "Serena, what have you done?"

The voice came closer, furious. "Mr. Kaden told me he's decided to postpone the date of the mating ceremony!"

I struggled to open my eyes and saw Theo's furious face.

Ignoring the fact that I was still weak and in pain, he yanked me out of bed.

"Go apologize to him right now! It must be because of those disgraceful things you did before. You've offended him and damaged our pack's reputation!"

Mom frowned beside him. "Listen to your brother, Serena. Isla's mating ceremony is important. It can't be delayed because of you. Go apologize to Mr. Kaden and explain everything to Bridget. Even if it means calling off your engagement to Rowan, you must make sure Isla and Kaden's mating ceremony proceeds as scheduled."

"Exactly. All you ever do is bring shame upon our pack," Theo reprimanded coldly. "You only came back from Rowan's yesterday, and today, Kaden announces that he wants to postpone the ceremony. You can't possibly have nothing to do with this. Rowan must hate you too. I bet it won't be long before he calls off your mating ceremony too."

My entire body was cold and aching. My knees buckled, but I forced myself to stand as Theo dragged me toward the door.

I didn't explain or resist. I had already realized that none of it would make a difference. They had decided everything was my fault, as they always had, ever since I was a pup. Nothing had changed.

By coincidence, Kaden was there. He stood beneath the flowering trees, talking with Isla.

A gentle breeze passed through, sending pink petals drifting down. Kaden reached out and smiled as he gently ruffled Isla's hair.

Even though I had known for a long time that he loved her deeply, my heart still ached.

Kaden noticed me. The smile on his face slowly disappeared.

Theo shoved me from behind, and I stumbled and fell to my knees.

Kaden froze. "There's no need for this."

After a moment's hesitation, he reached out to help me up and said, "Once Isla and I form our bond, we'll be family."

I gently pushed his hand away. "Mr. Kaden, I'm here to apologize. Everything I did had nothing to do with my pack. Please reconsider your decision to postpone the mating ceremony."

Kaden fell silent. He withdrew his hand, his expression becoming complicated.

"Do you really want me to become your sister's mate that badly?" he asked softly. "I can agree to that, but I have one request. If you tell Mom to cancel your mating ceremony with Rowan, I'll let my ceremony with Isla proceed as scheduled."

Before I could answer, Theo flashed a delighted smile and said, "Mr. Kaden, she'll do it."

He then threw me onto a horse, then grabbed me by the collar and hissed, "Go to the Glorymoon pack right now. Do you hear me? If I don't get good news before dawn, don't bother coming back home."

He kicked the horse hard. It neighed wildly and bolted forward.

Dizzy, I collapsed over the horse's back. I didn't even have the strength to hold onto the reins, and I was about to be thrown off.

Just then, a swift, powerful figure rushed over and caught me as I began to fall. He held me securely in his arms.

I looked up and saw a handsome, reckless-looking face. It was Rowan.

Wearing black leather boots, he drew his blade and killed the crazed horse with a single strike. Then, stepping through the bright red blood, he walked toward the stunned group one step at a time.

His voice was low as he spoke. "Is this how you all treat my future mate?"