Chapter 2

I didn't understand why Lucas frowned even more intensely.

Wasn't my obedient cooperation exactly what he had always wanted?

Layla froze as well. The tears she'd prepared to cry were trapped awkwardly in her eyes.

I bent down and personally fastened the Beast Dagger around her waist.

I then straightened my back and looked at Lucas.

"Now that everything has been given to Layla, I'll get going."

Without another word, I turned around and walked toward the cabin at the end of the pack territory.

I could feel a burning gaze following me all the way until the wooden door shut between us.

I knew it was Lucas, but I no longer cared.

Five years of obsession had finally become a thing of the past.

A strange feeling stirred deep within my mind.

The spiritual totem unique to the werewolf royalty lit up inside my consciousness.

It was a message from Dad.

[Diana, the royal guards will reach the edge of Misty Forest in three days. I'm coming to bring you home.]

Feeling that warm power resonate through my mind, I finally couldn't hold back my tears any longer.

The door suddenly swung open. Lucas barged in and said unhappily, "Why didn't you lose your temper with Layla back in the square? Diana, that's not like you."

His harsh gaze was fixed on my face before he suddenly froze.

"Diana, are you crying?"

There was even a hint of excitement in his voice.

He reached out, pinched my chin, and forced me to look up at him.

"You've never cried before. Are you afraid of losing me?"

I made no effort to correct his misunderstanding. Instead, I met his gaze calmly.

"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?

"Haven't you always told me to be more generous? Well, are you happy now?"

I had no idea what fantasy Lucas had constructed in his mind, but his eyes filled with emotion as he pulled me into his arms.

His embrace carried the familiar scent of pine mixed with the sickeningly sweet pheromones that belonged to Layla.

The two scents together made me nauseous.

Lucas lowered his head. He brushed his warm lips against my ear.

"Diana, you know I love you.

"But Layla's parents died saving me during the beast waves. I have to give her the status of Luna. She deserves to become the most honored shewolf in the pack.

"I know you've suffered today, but I promise you, as long as you're obedient, you'll still be the shewolf who stays by my side the longest.

"The pack will continue to respect you."

He was throwing me scraps.

He wanted me to feel grateful and willingly become his subordinate.

He actually believed those words should move me.

Just as I was about to shove him away, unable to stomach any more of his self-righteous affection, we heard rapid knocks on the door.

Layla's delicate voice came from outside.

"Lucas, I'm sorry to interrupt you and Diana.

"But it's so dark in my room. I'm scared. Could you come stay with me?"

Lucas immediately released me and hurried toward the door.

Just as he was about to open it, he seemed to recall something and glanced back at me.

"Oh, right. Three days from now is Layla's birthday banquet. She needs a piece of jewelry worthy of the occasion.

"I recall you have a bracelet inlaid with black kyanite. You never dress up anyway, so give it to Layla."

I stared at him in disbelief.

He knew perfectly well that I had been wearing that bracelet the day I was found.

It was the only clue my amnesiac self had to find my family.

Lucas knew exactly how important that bracelet was to me.

Once, a young shewolf who relied on the fact that her dad was an elder had tried to force me to hand it over.

After learning what happened, Lucas expelled her entire family from the pack's central district.

Now, he was the one demanding that I give it to Layla.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my palms, yet I felt no pain.

Looking at Lucas' expression, it seemed like he truly believed this was for my own good. I slowly nodded.

"Okay."