Chapter 3

Connor was standing right behind her. The possessiveness and adoration in his deep eyes as he looked at Elena was something I’d never seen from him before.

I could hear other pack members whispering around me:

"Is that Alpha Connor's future Luna? That Omega scent… it's so pure, so tempting! If I'm not mistaken, that moonstone necklace she's wearing... isn't that something only the most noble Luna gets to wear?"

"It has to be her! I heard they've known each other for ages. Alpha Connor has been secretly protecting this precious Omega, keeping other Alphas away. They're probably here at the Werewolf Administration Bureau to finalize things for the Marking ceremony, right? They've even built her a resort on the Alpha's private land."

"This is the kind of love every Omega dreams of! If my Alpha was half as devoted and powerful as Connor, my life would be made…"

Those envious, jealous, curious stares pricked at me like needles.

Lost in thought, the elderly she-wolf handling my paperwork spoke up, "Miss Aria? Miss Aria? Your paperwork is complete."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it got Connor's attention.

Just as I was putting all my documents into a special scent-proof bag, Connor's tall figure appeared before me.

There was a barely noticeable flicker of panic on his face, quickly masked by his Alpha composure.

"Aria? What are you doing here?"

Elena glided over to his side, linking her arm through his affectionately, her sweet Omega scent almost suffocating me. Her eyes, when she looked at me, held a hint of challenge.

"You must be Connor's… sister, Aria, right? Hi there." She put extra emphasis on "sister."

"We'll be family soon, so it's good to meet you beforehand."

My eyes swept over their closely pressed bodies and the faint beginnings of a possessive Alpha bite mark on Elena's neck.

I forced a smile. "Future Luna, good morning."

"Nothing much, just here to handle some pack business for my mother," I lied calmly.

"You two carry on, I won't disturb you."

I turned to leave.

But Connor stepped forward and grabbed my arm, his grip rough, his Alpha strength making it impossible to break free.

He lowered his voice, speaking quickly, "Don't get the wrong idea. I brought Elena here today because some of the pack elders wanted me to. You know, pure-blood Omegas like her are very precious. The elders are taking this Marking ceremony very seriously, and they insisted I personally accompany her to sort out some details."

"Tonight… the elders have arranged a family dinner, and Elena will be there. I'm telling you in advance so you don't… misunderstand."

Seeing him "worried" about me like this, I suddenly found it hilarious.

Elena was the Luna he was about to publicly acknowledge, the woman he’d schemed to elevate.

Now, with the Marking ceremony so close, his grand revenge drama was about to conclude.

Who was this fake explanation for?

"Don't worry, I understand. Since it's the elders' arrangement, you should just do it. I won't be so unreasonable," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You go on. I'll wait for you at home."

He seemed to let out a breath, then personally called a pack car to take me home.

Turning back, he led Elena towards the workshop where they were designing the future Luna's gown. Elena's sweet, triumphant Omega scent still lingered in the air.