Chapter 3

The sky had already turned pitch black by the time I returned to the Gray Valley Pack.

The moment I stepped through the front door, a crisp, loud slap struck my face.

A burning pain flared across my cheek.

The force of the blow snapped my head to the side. Immediately after, Theodore, my adoptive father's furious roar echoed in my ears.

"Useless trash!"

Standing in the shadows, Sophia, my adoptive mother, looked equally displeased.

"We raised you for over a decade and poured so many resources into you," she sneered. "We expected you to secure Raymond's heart so our pack could ally with the Black Rock Pack. Look at you now! He chose that she-wolf from the White Pine Pack!"

I slowly lifted my head. Seeing the utter disappointment in their eyes, a wave of ridicule washed over me.

In my past life, I successfully became the Luna of the Black Rock Pack.

Relying on that connection, Theodore secured the operational rights to two lucrative trade routes. Within a decade, the Gray Valley Pack skyrocketed from a bottom-tier pack to a formidable power second only to the Black Rock Pack.

Back then, Theodore always spoke to me with immense warmth, praising me as his proud daughter.

It turned out that without Raymond's favor, I was absolutely nothing to them.

"Since Raymond doesn't want you, don't let your remaining value go to waste," Theodore barked.

He slammed a rolled-up mating contract onto the table before me.

"The Alpha of the Northern Pack sent messengers to propose a mating alliance a few days ago. I originally intended to decline. But now—"

Hearing those words, the surrounding servants paled instantly.

Everyone in the werewolf world knew that the Northern Alpha was aging and physically weak, leaving him incredibly erratic and volatile.

Not only were countless wolves vying for his Alpha throne, but rumor had it that his previous two mates had been brutally tormented to death in his bed.

Many she-wolves preferred to take their own lives rather than step foot into the Northern Pack.

Sophia frowned, attempting to persuade me.

"Although the Northern Alpha has a terrible reputation, he has power and wealth. Once you go over, you can at least secure some resources for our pack."

Theodore let out a cold sneer.

"Does she even have the right to be picky now? For a discarded she-wolf, we're lucky if we can sell her for a good price."

Sell.

It turned out that in their eyes, I was merely a piece of merchandise waiting to be liquidated.

I gripped the contract tightly and asked softly, "Does my brother know about this?"

Sophia's expression turned unnatural for a split second.

"I will be the one to inform your brother," she said, shifting her gaze away. "He is currently occupied at the border fighting for territory. Do not disturb him with such trivial matters."

Theodore interrupted impatiently, "Stop wasting time! I have already accepted the proposal on your behalf. The Northern Pack's escort will arrive to collect you in three days."

If this had been my past life, I would have wept and screamed in defiance upon hearing those words.

But now, I merely looked down at the mating contract.

The image of Raymond placing the moonstone necklace around Grace's neck flashed across my mind.

After a long pause, I picked up the pen and firmly signed my name at the bottom of the parchment.

Both my adoptive parents froze in shock.

"You..."

"I am willing to become the mate of the Northern Alpha," I said, lifting my eyes to meet theirs. "When do we leave?"

By a strange twist of fate, my mating ceremony with the Northern Alpha was scheduled for the exact same day as Raymond and Grace's.

The moment our signed contract was delivered back, a massive convoy of gifts arrived at the Gray Valley Pack's territory.

Eighteen massive trunks were lined up in a row. The moment the lids were lifted, even my highly critical adoptive mother gasped.

There was a ceremonial mating gown woven from premium fabrics, a veil adorned with deep-sea pearls, and a Luna crown sculpted from pure moonstone.

Beneath those lay countless jewels, trade agreements, and resource deeds. Every single item was of immeasurable wealth.

Theodore's smile stretched practically from ear to ear. "The Northern Alpha actually sent this much?"

"Good heavens, this is far more lavish than the gifts the Black Rock Pack prepared for their Luna!"

Sophia instantly changed her tune, affectionately grabbing my hand.

"Chloe, dear, being the Luna of the Northern Pack actually sounds wonderful. It's much better than walking on eggshells at the Black Rock Pack. Once you arrive in the North, don't forget about your family."

Standing perfectly still, I felt nothing but disgust.

When Raymond chose someone else, I was deemed useless trash. Now that the Northern Pack had sent such magnificent treasures, I was suddenly the pride of the Gray Valley Pack.

They never loved me. They only loved the profit I could bring.

I held the veil in my hands, its cool texture brushing against my fingertips as my mind drifted into a trance.

In my previous life, the veil Raymond gave me was also a moonlight-white shade. He had claimed that white complemented my hair perfectly, personally supervising the tailors for three months to complete it.

On our mating day, he had gently touched my veil and whispered, "Chloe, you are the most beautiful she-wolf I have ever seen in my life."

A sudden, sharp ache throbbed in my chest. I shook my head violently to drive the memory away.

Before dawn broke, the entire Gray Valley Pack was already decorated with celebratory banners.

And I had finished putting on my ceremonial mating gown.