Chapter 2

Ruidiger stared at the young girl in disbelief. Now it made sense why he hadn’t been able to kill her when he first laid eyes on her—there was something about her, something different. She wasn’t just a survivor; she could be something far more.

Rosetta stepped forward, her gaze falling on the child. She froze.

Something about the girl stirred an old, unspoken ache within her. A faint trace of emotion crossed her face, brief but unmistakable.

She looked between them and asked, her voice calm but edged with curiosity,

“Who is this child? And why do you both look so stunned?”

Bayle stepped in to explain, recounting how the girl had been discovered and her unusual resilience. An unreadable emotion touched Rosetta’s gaze, vanishing as fast as it appeared.

“In that case, take her to the clinic,” Rosetta said sharply, without hesitation. “This child… she’s… unusual. She looks strong-willed and might be stubborn. People like her don’t die easily, they cling to life with an iron grip.”

Following the Luna’s orders, the girl was carefully taken for treatment.

---

Aliyah slowly opened her eyes, confusion clouding her vision. The unfamiliar surroundings made her uneasy. Her head throbbed, and as she reached up to touch it, she winced. Around her were blinking machines and rhythmic beeping that made her more nervous.

An elderly man who happened to be the healer stepped into the room, and she looked at him with quiet awe.

“You’re awake,” he said, glancing over her condition. “You should be grateful to the Luna. Now, tell me—what’s your name?”

Aliyah blinked, not understanding his question.

The man frowned, then repeated it, this time sterner. “What’s your name, young pup?”

His tone made her flinch, and tears welled in her eyes. She began crying softly.

He sighed, clearly frustrated, and clicked his tongue. “Just tell me your name,” he said more gently this time.

Wiping her tears, she replied in a shaky voice, “Where am I? Who are you?”

The healer looked at her calmly. “You don’t need to know that right now. Just tell me your name.”

But when she answered again, it caught him off guard.

“I don’t know… What is my name, sir?” she asked, voice filled with uncertainty.

Later, the doctor explained her condition to Bayle.

“She has amnesia,” Phillip said simply.

Bayle’s face twisted in disgust. “So nothing can be done about it?” he snapped. “I still don’t understand why the Alpha and Luna spared that thing. If it were up to me, I’d finish her off myself.”

Phillip kept his composure. “I know you’re upset. But her whole pack was wiped out—and she’s just a child.”

Bayle wasn’t moved by the logic. He clenched his jaw, unwilling to let go of his anger.

Phillip watched him, thinking silently. Bayle was his father’s son through and through. The elder beta, once loyal to Ruidiger, had been killed by the Light Star Pack’s alpha. That tragedy had shaped Bayle’s hatred, one he carried like a badge. He had grown up fatherless, and his mother widowed. And now, in his father’s role, Bayle had fulfilled his vow, he’d helped wipe them all out.

“I don’t care,” Bayle growled, fists tightening. “Take me to her.”

Phillip reluctantly led him back to the clinic. When they arrived, the girl was sitting on the bed, quietly gazing out the window.

“Hey, you,” Bayle called out.

She turned toward him, and the moment her eyes met his, he froze. They were a vibrant, piercing green—an unusual color he had never seen before. It startled him.

She stared at him for a moment, tilting her head, as though trying to remember something. Then she spoke.

“Who are you?”

Bayle scoffed. “Who am I? Do you think you’re royalty or something? Once you’re fully recovered, the Alpha will decide what to do with you.”

The girl frowned and looked at Phillip. “Mister… I don’t like this brother.”

Phillip bit back a laugh—not because of what she said, but from the stunned expression on Bayle’s face.

Without a word, Bayle stormed out, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

---

Three days passed before the girl was brought before the Alpha and Luna. She stood quietly, confusion on her face as she looked around the large room. The atmosphere was tense, as though a judgment was about to be passed. Bayle stood in the crowd, a smug smile tugging at his lips, clearly hoping the decision would go against her.

Then a cheerful voice broke the silence.

“Wow, it’s an angel!” Little Leo called out, causing the room to still. He looked directly at the girl, his eyes lighting up. “Can I have her?” he asked eagerly. “What’s her name?”

Rosetta approached him with a gentle laugh. “She isn’t an object, Leo. And we don’t know her name—she’s lost her memory,” she explained, ruffling his hair. “She doesn’t have one right now.”

But Leo was undeterred. “Then I’ll name her. I’ll call her Dara. She’s an angel, and I want her, Mother.”

Ruidiger quietly pulled Rosetta aside. “You know how Leo is, when he wants something, he doesn’t stop until he gets it. And when he loses interest, he tosses it aside. Give him the girl. Let him have his way, and once he’s done with her, we can make a proper decision.”

Rosetta didn’t like the plan, but she knew it was true. Leo was relentless when he set his eyes on something. So, she nodded.

“Very well, Leo,” she said aloud. “She’ll be yours… until you no longer want her.”

Overjoyed, Leo hugged his mother and ran to Dara. He grabbed her hand with a bright smile. “You’re mine now. Come with me!”

Though confused, Dara said nothing. She let him lead her, still unsure of what everything meant.

Bayle rose from his seat, seething with rage. His jaw clenched, and his fists curled in fury. Without a word, he stormed out of the room.

Ruidiger noticed and said nothing. Rosetta leaned toward him.

“I just hope this isn’t a mistake. Hopefully, Leo gets bored of her soon,” she whispered.

Ruidiger gave a simple nod.

That day, Leo never let her out of his sight. As little as he was, he ordered her around like a pet, and innocent Dara obeyed his every word.

“You know you’re mine. Never do anything without me, or I’ll be so mad—and I’ll tell my mother,” he warned, pouting and pointing a tiny finger at her.

All Dara did was nod, knowing she had no choice in the matter.

But what they didn’t know, what none of them could have seen coming, was that this was only the beginning of something they could have never imagined.

---

One afternoon, Leo woke up and, for the first time, Dara wasn’t by his side. That alone was strange—he usually kept her close no matter what he was doing, whether it was eating, sleeping, or just sitting around.

But Dara, feeling restless, had quietly slipped away to play with some of the younger wolves in the pack. She just wanted a little space.

When Leo opened his eyes and found her gone, he immediately began to cry. He wandered through the chambers, calling her name, until he finally spotted her outside, laughing and playing. Furious, he shouted at her—his voice sharp and loud, making her freeze on the spot.

“I told you! No one else is allowed to play with you but me!” he yelled, storming over and grabbing her by the hand. Without another word, he dragged her back toward their room.

That was it for Dara. Her lip wobbled, and then she started crying really loud, big tears rolling down her cheeks as she shook all over.

Leo stopped and stared at her, surprised. Then he rushed over and hugged her tight.

“Dara! Don’t cry! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” he said fast. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

Dara cried into his shoulder, trying to talk between sobs.

“I just wanted to play,” she sniffled “You always tell me what to do... And I don't like it.”

Leo looked worried. “But… I don’t want you to go. I got scared when I woke up and you weren’t there.”

“I wasn’t going far,” Dara said. “I was bored. You always want me to sit and stay and not do anything.”

“I just want you to be with me,” Leo said, his voice small. “I don’t want the others to take you.”

“But I can still be with you,” she said. “Just not all the time. I want to play with others too. You have your sister… I don’t have anyone else.”

Leo looked down. “I don’t like sharing you.”

Dara sniffled. “You don’t have to share me all the time. Just a little bit. I still like you best.”

Leo thought about it, then slowly nodded. “Okay… but can we still eat together?”

“Yes,” Dara said. “But sometimes I’ll play with the little wolves too.”

He held out his little finger, his eyes hopeful. “Promise?”

She curled her finger around his, a small smile breaking through. “Promise.”

The truth was, she was exhausted, tired of being watched, tired of always being told what to do. Since arriving at the pack, she had been trying to adjust, hiding how she felt. Leo never gave her a moment to breathe. Even though he had a sister, it was always Dara he clung to. And someday, that obsession might cost them all.