Chapter 2

My bones were still lying on the desk. Realizing they were there, Killian suddenly stepped forward to block them from view, as if terrified they would frighten her.

"Elena, darling, what are you doing here?" Killian asked, his voice laced with anxiety.

Elena looked up at him, her eyes pooling with tears. "Killian, I was worried about you. Are you alright?"

She reached out and gently stroked his cheek. Killian, a notorious germaphobe, didn't pull away. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, softly whispering words of comfort.

"Alpha! We found another piece of the remains. It has a unique scar on it!" a guard yelled, bursting into the room with a box containing another part of my skeleton.

Elena pulled away from Killian and let out a terrified shriek.

Seeing her frightened, Killian flew into a rage and backhanded the box right out of the guard's hands.

If he had just looked closer, he would have noticed a distinct burn scar on that bone. It was from a fire back when a rival pack ambushed them; I had thrown myself over him to save his life. I still remember how Killian had cried when he saw my injuries, swearing he would treat me right for the rest of his life.

Yet it hadn't even been three years. He had completely forgotten his vow. Now, even with my skeletal remains lying directly in front of him, he couldn't recognize me.

Elena suddenly began to sob softly. "I'm sorry! This is all my fault. Sheilah must be furious with me. It’s so dangerous out there, and she still isn't back. Killian, you should go look for her."

The moment Killian heard my name, his face twisted in disgust. "You actually believe Sheilah’s pathetic pity plays? How many times has she pulled this stunt over the years?"

He turned back to Elena, his tone softening instantly. "Don't worry about her. She's a liar. Since she chose to walk away, leave her be. Even if she dies out there, it’s just the Moon Goddess punishing her."

His words chilled my soul to the core. He really hated me that much.

Elder Misa chimed in with equal disdain. "Running away over such a petty matter... Sheilah is getting more ridiculous by the day."

The other elders shook their heads in agreement.

"We warned you back then not to take a common healer as your mate. She was never worthy of you."

"Exactly. To get your attention, she even dared to tamper with our warriors' medicine!"

"If Elena hadn't developed an antidote in time, the Black Forest pack would have utterly crushed us during that battle!"

Hearing them mention the silver moon potion, I froze.

When Elena first arrived at the pack, she had begged to learn healing, so Killian had her shadow me. But during one of my long trips away, Elena had secretly mixed her own experimental potion into the warriors' food. The potion paralyzed their ability to shift.

When I rushed back, I found Elena sobbing in Killian's arms, claiming she hadn't meant to do it. With the pack in immediate danger, I didn't have time to argue. I stayed up for three days and three nights straight to brew an antidote, ultimately saving the pack.

I was the one who saved everyone. Yet to protect Elena from taking the blame, Killian had pinned the entire crime on me, handing all my credit over to her instead.

Faced with the elders' harsh accusations, Killian opened his mouth but ultimately chose to stay silent. He didn't clear my name.

"Spread the word," Killian sneered. "If Sheilah refuses to show up for this birthday party, I will officially sever our mate bond."

He smiled coldly, certain that I valued my status as Luna too much to stay away.