Chapter 2

Patience's POV

Hazel sneered, "I just took it as a casual gift from a friend, didn't pay attention to its value."

"Really? So friends just gift each other millions casually?"

I looked at her, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "And Lionel's your friend too. Has he ever gifted you something worth millions?"

Hazel tried to retort but stayed silent.

Even Lionel's expression turned a bit stiff.

"Shut up! It's just a necklace, no need for you to lose control like this."

Kelsey's voice was cold and authoritative, "Patience, as my Luna, where's your grace and calm?"

Luna? I almost laughed out loud.

In the past three years, did he ever truly see me as his Luna, his mate?

In his eyes, I was probably always that pure-blooded yet not strong enough she-wolf who didn't match him.

I clutched the necklace tightly, the obsidian edges almost digging into my palm.

Back then, my mom traded this necklace for life-saving medicine, rescuing fifty werewolf orphans.

So, this necklace meant a lot to me.

I suppressed the growl rising in my throat, soothing the wolf in my mind that was howling and struggling.

I kept telling my wolf——just hold on a little longer, just a little longer...

I took a deep breath, lifted my eyes, and forced my voice to stay steady, "Alright, I won't pursue the necklace anymore. But tomorrow, my parents' ashes will be transported back from abroad."

I paused, my gaze locking onto him, "I want you to accompany me there as my mate."

My parents' last wish before their sacrifice was for me to find a mate and be well cared for.

I wanted Kelsey to come with me not just for the ceremony.

But also to give them an answer, a belated respect.

Kelsey visibly froze, a flash of complicated emotions crossing his golden eyes.

Through our weak yet existing mating bond, I clearly sensed guilt in that moment.

Maybe an instinctive reaction from the soul bond, temporarily overriding his indifference.

"...Alright," he fell silent for a moment, his voice softening slightly, "I'll go with you tomorrow."

My anxious heart eased a little. Without another glance at anyone in the room, I tightened my grip on my mom's necklace and left.

As soon as I stepped out of the meeting hall, Lionel's mocking voice faintly reached my ears, "She's really good at making excuses, so scheming..."

"Enough."

Kelsey's deep voice cut him off, with a hint of irritation, "She's still my Luna, after all."

"But she's totally lying! Who would go through the trouble of air transporting the ashes of orphan parents from abroad!"

The word "orphan" felt like a venomous ice pick, causing my heart to flinch.

I lowered my head, pressing the necklace tightly against my chest, feeling its cold touch and my mom's lingering presence.

I whispered in my heart, "Mom, Dad, just wait a little longer. Tomorrow, I'll bring you home."

The next day, I got everything ready early.

But as the agreed time ticked by, there was still no sign of Kelsey at the packhouse entrance.

An ominous feeling crept over me like icy vines wrapping around my heart.

I closed my eyes, focused, and tried to reach out to him through our mindlink, "Kelsey? Where are you? It's almost time."

But he didn't respond, even severing our mindlink connection on his end.

I had no choice but to call him.

Finally, his cold and impatient voice came through the phone, "Hazel's mother severely sprained her ankle. I'm at the werewolf hospital with them now. You'll have to go ahead without me."

"Kelsey!" My emotions fluctuated wildly, "These are my parents' ashes! You promised me! Your wolf promised!"

"Patience, don't make a scene," his voice came through the phone, as cold as a winter gale, "The situation here is more urgent."

Without waiting for my reply, he hung up, leaving only a cold, dead silence.

I stood there, feeling all the blood in my body turn ice cold.

How ridiculous...

My mate would run around for another she-wolf's mother but ignore his promises to his own mate.

"He's blocked our mindlink," my wolf said sadly in my mind.

I could feel our mating bond torn apart once again.

I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and drove alone straight to the Royal Legion base.

The base still looked the same as in my memory, with werewolf guards at the entrance in crisp uniforms, their eyes sharp as eagles.

I pushed open the car door, straightened my back instinctively, and walked steadily.

Even though it had been three years since I left the Royal Legion, the posture of a werewolf warrior was ingrained in my bones.

I told myself, "It's okay, even if I'm alone, I'll bring my parents' ashes home."

I took a deep breath and announced loudly, "Patience, retired werewolf warrior from the Silverclaw Knights, here to collect the ashes of Gamma Gerard and Doctor Cecilia!"

After a few seconds of silence, the gates of the Royal Legion base slowly swung open.

I saw Lycan Gamma, in a crisp uniform, personally carrying an urn, walking toward me step by step.

This moment stung my eyes.