The Forsaken Pendant

Layla nestled comfortably in Lucas' embrace.

She had on the striking Aurora Fox Fur Cape.

Two weeks ago, I braved a blizzard and traveled through all three trading bazaars in the northern territory to find it as Lucas' winter gift.

On my way back, I was caught in an avalanche and buried beneath the snow for an entire hour.

Now, it was draped over Layla's shoulders.

Feeling the mocking and sympathetic gazes from every direction, I lowered my gaze in silence.

Layla gently stroked the Moonstone Pendant resting against her chest. She was proudly displaying it to the werewolves around us.

"Diana, Lucas said that I'm the only one worthy of wearing this Moonstone Pendant."

Her gaze shifted to the Beast Dagger hanging at my waist.

Lucas had crafted it for me himself from the tusk of the first giant boar he had ever hunted.

Layla walked over and stared at me with an innocent look in her eyes.

"Diana, you've already given up the Moonstone Pendant. Don't you think it's a little inappropriate for you to keep the dagger Lucas made?"

She reached out as if it naturally belonged to her.

Instinctively, I stepped back.

Her fingertips brushed against the dagger as I moved.

She immediately gasped. She then pitifully clutched her finger as tears streamed down her face.

"Diana, I was only admiring the dagger Lucas made for you. Why did you cut me with it?"

Under the moonlight, a thin red line appeared across her pale finger, and a bead of blood slowly trickled down.

The whispers throughout the square grew louder.

Everyone knew I had once chopped off the tail of a shewolf who had tried to sneak into Lucas' tent.

Any shewolf who dared approach Lucas had always been beaten mercilessly by me.

Everyone was convinced I was about to lose control.

Lucas stepped forward, took Layla's injured hand, and tenderly sucked the blood from her fingertip.

He then turned to face me. His eyes filled with defensiveness and warning.

"Diana, Layla isn't as rough and tough as you are. If you ever lay a hand on her again, get out of this pack!"

He was certain I would never leave Mist Pack. After all, I was nothing more than a pitiful orphan with no one to protect me.

I looked up at the face that belonged to the werewolf I had loved for five years.

I didn't lose my temper. I didn't scream or demand an explanation like I always had before.

Instead, I silently untied the dagger from my waist.

Before the stunned gazes of the entire pack, I handed it to Layla.

"If Lucas made this dagger, then it belongs to you without question."