Second to None

It took a month before I returned home, limping and covered in injuries.

The house was filled with cheer and laughter, and the fireplace brightened the whole space.

The scent of pine hit my nose. The messy hall told of a night of wild celebration.

From Wendy’s social media posts, I knew the entire pack had been here celebrating the Moonveils’ survival.

Allen’s gaze locked onto my bandaged foot when he noticed me. A flicker of guilt reflected in his eyes.

His priority was to keep Wendy safe when the rogues attacked us. Somehow, I, his fated mate, was the last thing on his mind.

My parents’ faces were tight with remorse and unspoken regret.

Terence and Camile ensured the safety of every being, including Wendy’s kitten. Yet, I was not part of their consideration.

Allen took strides toward me, his bloodshot eyes fixating on my injured left leg.

“Are you alright, Sasha? The rogues were on Wendy… You know, she’s just a delicate Omega. I can’t let anything happen to her.”

I took a step back, recoiling from his outstretched arm, my eyes betraying no emotion.

He seemed to forget that I was a fragile Omega in need of protection as well.

Camile rushed over in tears and held me shakily.

“Thank Moon Goddess you’re okay, Sash. Your dad and I have been worried about you.”

My mind went blank for a second, and it showed on my face.

It had been too long since I felt Camile’s tender arms around me.

Ever since seventeen-year-old Wendy was saved in the Healing Temple, Camile’s embrace had been hers alone, leaving me out in the cold.

I might once have longed for that comforting hug in tears, but now I silently pushed her away, refusing the warmth I had been denied for so long.

Camile stood there, feeling hurt as she stared at me.

Wendy went up to hold Camile and gave me a look of condemnation.

“Mom is just worried about you, Sasha. Why are you doing this to her?

“Sure, Mom, Dad, and Allen didn’t jump straight to rescue you, but you got back in one piece, didn’t you?

“If you want to take out your anger on someone, direct it at me. It’s my fault anyway. If I hadn’t lost my wolf, I wouldn’t have needed Allen to save me.”

As Wendy wiped her tears desperately, Terence hugged her tightly while shooting me a disapproving look.

“That’s enough, Sasha. You already cost her her wolf with that silver poisoning, and she never blamed you. Are you giving us an attitude for putting her safety first?”

Allen stepped forward, positioning himself as a shield between Wendy and me. He sighed.

“Just drop this, Sasha. You’ve caused Wendy enough hurt. You owe her.”

Color drained from my face as I sank into helplessness.

It all started when Wendy ate the tainted berries near the silver mine. The poison killed her wolf, and she only regained consciousness after an entire day of urgent care at the Healing Temple.

The moment she opened her eyes, she insinuated that I fed her the poisoned berries to destroy her wolf.

From that day on, I became guilty of harming Wendy.

Terence and Camile gave all I had to Wendy. If I ever were to object, they would tell me indifferently, “If Wendy hadn’t been so kind as to cover for your mistake, the pack elders would’ve exiled you. You’d have become a rogue.

“It’s only fair that you give up a few material things to her, don’t you think?”

I barely survived the riot, and the first thing on my mind was to assure my family that I made it out alive.

However, my safety didn’t seem to be their concern.

Faced with my family’s accusations and Wendy’s subtle aggression, I lost the will to fight.

Back in my room, I dialed the number of George Thick, the Alpha.

“Alpha, I accept your invitation to join the research team for the Northern expedition.”