The voice was muffled by the mask. Addy couldn't be sure. But the tattoo on the neck gave him a definite answer.Addy instantly froze. His movements stopped abruptly. His body suddenly seemed to lose all strength. Worse, his face turned pale and his eyes stared at the man in confusion—almost blankly. Then he spoke. "Alpha."The man's eyes closed dramatically. His mouth was tightly shut with an expression of frustration he could not hide. He realized that the slight reflexive answer he had given had indirectly answered Addy's curiosity about his identity. It was too late for him to control himself. Now all he could do was curse himself as he tried to leave. He wouldn't let Addy get any more proof that he was indeed Usher—especially the future Usher.Luckily for Usher, Addy seemed to be in a real state of shock, which caused his anticipation to fade. He took full advantage of that. He released Addy's hand from the hood of his jacket. Then he restrained Addy instead. He looked at Addy in
Addy's eyes widened at the sight of Hilary's presence. Reflexively, he backed away, putting distance between himself and Usher. "Hilary.""What are you doing here?" Hilary asked as she approached. She looked at Addy for a moment before her gaze shifted to Usher, who was trying to hide his face from her. "Who is he?"Addy blinked with a confused look on his face. He could see Usher trying to avoid eye contact with Hilary. Additionally, Usher continued to cover his face, even though he was wearing a mask."Hilary." Addy approached Hilary at just the right moment, preventing her from getting closer to Usher. "What are you doing here? I thought you were on patrol."Hilary ignored Addy's question. She continued to look at Usher as she tried to get closer. "Who is he, Addy? What were you talking about? Why do I get the feeling something is wrong?"Addy shook his head in confusion. Usher, on the other hand, didn't want to take any chances. He thought it was enough that Addy knew his identity
Mireya noticed that the intensity of communication between her and Torin had increased lately. The reason was that there were many unexpected things that forced them to talk frequently. Just like this morning, Torin contacted her again, and the topic he brought up made her sure that the conversation would not end quickly.Mireya blinked in disbelief. "W-what did you say, Torin? There's a possibility that the Munest family is planning a revenge?" She shook her head several times. "That's impossible.""It could be because of Vione's scandal," Torin said bluntly. Then he added a very reasonable possibility. "I'm sure the incident with Vione is enough to shake the loyalty of the Munest family. Surely they are now preparing a plan to take revenge on Usher and you."Mireya's eyes narrowed. Her look reflected doubt. "That sounds plausible, but I didn't think they would go that far.""As I said. They must be desperate. They are ashamed of the shame that has befallen Vione. Being a deposed Lun
Usher froze as he listened to every detail of the conversation between The Past Usher and Mireya. Every word they spoke, every detail of the plan they were about to execute, sparked fear that quickly spread throughout his body. Worse, the dark memories he had buried deep within himself resurfaced, adding to the horror that pushed him to the brink of despair.Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, then ran down his temples. Usher's lips turned pale and trembled. No, this can't happen again. Wasn't it supposed to be later? Wasn't it still a long way from that day?Usher vividly remembered that the day Addy and Hilary had been captured by the Palace was still far away, not this day. But the conversation between The Past Usher and Mireya indicated that the event would happen again soon. Just as it had happened with him and The Past Vione, he had rejected The Past Vione earlier than before.A growl rumbled in Usher's chest. Fear and anger at himself hit him hard. He realized that the past w
"I love Alpha Usher Thorne."Vione Celestia Munest was frozen. She remained motionless and said nothing in response to the confession she had just heard. How should she react? Should she continue to expend energy, as she had done before, knowing that it would be in vain?Vione realized that Mireya Lark would not waver. Mireya would never leave, but neither would she."Why are you silent, Vione? Didn't you hear what I just said?"Vione blinked. Her shoulders shifted slightly as she took a breath. "What do you expect me to say? You don't expect me to congratulate you, do you?"This time Mireya remained silent. She stared at Vione with narrowed eyes, clasped her hands in front of her chest, then walked around Vione with a mocking expression."I don't need your congratulations. It's not important, but I think someone is coming to her senses."Vione closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and hoped in her heart that this disgusting conversation would end soon."Congratulations? Hmm. Doesn'
Vione must have heard wrong. Maybe Usher had misspoken. After all, how could an Alpha threaten his own Luna in front of his mistress?It was not embarrassing, but it was heartbreaking. Even Mireya's slap could not compare to the reality that had just hit her.True. In Usher's eyes there was only Mireya. Vione never meant anything. Just as people had said, she was just a worthless werewolf. She was an invaluable Luna.Vione's vision was blurred by the tears. In the midst of her efforts to regulate her breathing, she saw Usher leave her to embrace Mireya again.They looked harmonious. Both handsome and beautiful. They were like gods and goddesses who should be together."Usher, aren't you doing a little too much? Look at Vione. She seems to be in real pain."Usher turned and looked at Vione with a snarl. His look was mocking and highly contemptuous."I thought it was the other way around. The punishment is not enough for what she did to you."Vione tried to rise with great difficulty. S
"W-what?" Usher blinked. "Breaking our pairing?""Why? Don't you want to?"Usher did not answer, and Mireya immediately freed herself. She stood up while Usher looked puzzled."It seems that what Vione said is true. In your eyes I'm nothing more than a mistress.""Mireya."Usher stood quickly and grabbed Mireya's hand. He held it tightly, preventing her from moving any further."Usher, let me go."Usher shook his head. "No.""Don't be selfish, Usher. You won't let me go, but you won't let Vione go either? Do you want to have both of us?"Mireya's accusation left Usher speechless. He remained silent while Mireya tried to pull her hand away."I'm not selfish, but..."Usher's words hung in the air. He took a breath, and confusion creased his forehead.Something was not right here. Something was wrong and Usher could sense it. But what?"But what, Usher?"In one swift movement, Mireya managed to free her hand from Usher's grip. But instead of walking away, as Usher had expected, she turne
Vione ignored several pairs of sympathetic eyes that stared at her. It was not the first time; she had received such looks many times before. Being small, it was only natural for people to pity her.But this was different. It seemed that in the history of the Frostholm Pack, no Luna had ever suffered such a tragic fate. Usually they lived happily, cherished, and loved by everyone, not only by the pack but also by the Alpha.Unfortunately, that was not the case for Vione. The hopes and dreams that had filled her days after Ayla's prophecy were gone. Without the love and affection of the Alpha, she truly became a pitiful Luna.After arriving in her room, Vione let out all her sadness. She let out all the screams and tears she had been holding back. Her chest hurt and she thought she could not take it anymore.Maybe this was the end. Maybe it was time to give up.Vione could not take it anymore. She knew her limits and she had crossed them.It was not just the pitying looks people gave h