Chapter 3

The next time I saw Kael was next evening. When his eyes fell on the wound on my hand, he tensed. "Loria, what happened? Did you hurt your hand?"

He had no idea that while Lura was unscathed, I had bled because of him. Still, I knew that even if I told him, he would not care.

He would only accuse me of lying.

I pulled back before his hand could reach mine and brushed it off casually. "It's nothing. Just a scratch."

"As long as you're fine." He nodded. "There's something I need to spill."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "What you did to Lyra today was overboard. Even though she insists she doesn't mind, I believe you owe her a proper apology. Do it tomorrow, before our marking ceremony in front of the elders and all the warriors.

"Apologize sincerely, and don't worry. She's so kind. She will forgive you."

An apology to Lyra?

My mind recalled the promise he had once made to me in my past life.

"Loria, no matter what happens, I'll always protect you. I'll always trust you."

But now, it seems like he has forgotten all of it. His trust in me was gone.

Not that it mattered. After tonight, there would be nothing left between us.

"Alright," I said. "I'll apologize. Not only that, I'll even prepare a gift."

"I knew you'd come around. You're always the sensible one. I'll go check on Lyra now. She's still badly shaken from earlier."

And with that, he left.

…

I finished packing the last of my belongings and fell into a heavy sleep. By the time I awoke, the envoy from the Frostfang pack had already arrived.

Kael stormed into my chamber, slamming the door open with fury in his eyes.

"Loria! I only asked you to apologize to Lyra, and instead, you called the Frostfang pack to come early? Are you so eager to drive her away? How can you be so selfish?"

Selfish?

I had heard enough of that word in my last life.

I brushed past him, heading toward Moon Goddess Square. "How did you know they've come to fetch her?"

He faltered at my words, but quickly followed.

…

At the square, just as I stepped onto the platform, Kael seized my arm. "Loria, what do you mean by this?" he questioned.

"Nothing," I answered lightly as I freed myself from his grip and faced the Frostfang envoys, nodding politely.

Then, I turned back to Kael. "Where's Lyra? Didn't you ask me to apologize? You should hurry up. Time is running short."

"Loria is just too vicious," someone in the crowd spat. "Yesterday, she made Lyra ill, and today she sent her to suffer in the Frostfang pack. How can our pack have a werewolf like her?"

Others joined in, voices rising one after another.

"If she weren't the Alpha's daughter, forcing herself on Kael, Lyra would never have had to become an arranged mate for peace! Apologize? She probably wishes Lyra were dead!"

"I've seen Lyra leave her chambers in tears more than once. Loria is cruel and unfair to be the Alpha's heir. Let her be the arranged mate. She and Volf, one selfish and one brutal—what a perfect match!"

"Kael, you can't let Lyra go through with this. She's too delicate. She'd never survive the harsh climate at Frostfang pack!"

With the voices building behind him, Kael stepped onto the platform.

"Loria, are you in that much of a rush to drive her away? The scheduled date isn't for ten more days, yet you won't even allow her a proper farewell!"

"Don't you know her body can't withstand the Frostfang pack's winters? If she goes, she could die!" he continued, "I won't allow this! Send the Frostfang pack's people away, now. Otherwise, I'll never forgive you. You'll lose me forever!"

"Kael, I shall grant your wish."

I met his gaze calmly, then turned to my father and gave a silent nod.

Father rose, his voice ringing across the square.

"Members of the Silvermoon pack, hear me. By the will of the Moon Goddess, to secure eternal peace between our two packs, today we, the Silvermoon pack, shall seal our pact with the Frostfang pack. The one who will become arranged mates with the Frostfang pack is…"

His gaze swept over the pale-faced and trembling Kael before settling firmly on me.

"The Silvermoon pack's heiress—Loria Silvermoon!"