Chapter 2

Corbin looked at me with disdain, his voice dripping with loathing.

"You should be glad you're free, Ayla. What can the Laurel Pack even offer a powerful Alpha besides ancient marriage pacts? You're just a weak parasite, living on the faded glory of your ancestors."

Murmurs spread through the guests.

It was true. The Laurel Pack’s power had been declining for a decade, while the Black Moon Pack was more prosperous than ever.

"Corbin’s right!" Faye beside him let out a laugh.

She put on an innocent act, leaned close to me, and sniffed lightly.

"But I'm curious. The legends say Laurel women have a powerful Luna aura, so why don't I feel any pressure from Ayla at all?"

"Ayla, I know you’re desperate to cling to the future Alpha, but you really ought to know your place, don’t you think?"

Looking at the two of them standing there arrogantly, I curled my lips slightly.

In my past life, I was too meek, always trying to please everyone.

"Maybe the legends are exaggerated," someone snickered from the crowd.

"Besides me, what truly powerful Alpha would want her?" Corbin continued his verbal assault. "She's twenty-three and still hasn't found a proper mate. That says it all."

Faye cooed, clinging to his arm. "A bond like ours, born from true love, is what's most precious. We don't need any bloodlines or pacts, just pure love."

I watched their performance, feeling nothing but cold disgust.

"You're right," my voice was surprisingly calm. "I agree completely. Let's end this betrothal."

Corbin was clearly taken aback.

He expected me to cry, to beg, to fight for him.

That's what I did in my last life.

He couldn't help but speak up: "You actually agreed?"

I nodded. "You’ve already called my family liars. I would never cling to a Alpha like you."

Corbin let out a cold huff and said condescendingly: "At least you have some shame."

The High Elder raised his staff. The crystal on the Moon Goddess statue dimmed. "The Moon Goddess has witnessed your decision. The marriage pact between the Black Moon and Laurel packs is hereby void."

There was no flash of silver, no magical feeling of a bond shattering. All I felt was the weight lifting off my shoulders. Free.

"Congratulations," I said, looking at Corbin and Faye with a cold smile. "I wish you both happiness."

With that, I turned and walked out of the sanctuary.

My parents followed, worried, but I signaled for them to give me some space.

Outside the sanctuary, I pulled out my phone and texted a number I had saved for a long time:

"I’ve called off my engagement with Corbin.You once made me a promise. You said the Luna title of your pack was mine for the taking. Does that offer still stand?"

The reply came almost instantly:

"My promise is eternal."

It was followed by a picture—a black private jet landing on the tarmac at Silver City International Airport.

"Ayla, wait for me."

It wasn't just Corbin who had someone he'd left behind.

Finn and I had known each other since we were kids. As the Alpha of the Stone Pack, he was my first crush, and I was his.

If it weren't for the ancient pact binding our two packs, I would have been his Luna long ago. Corbin would have never even been in the picture.

Three days later, I was invited to a charity gala.

As soon as I walked in, I saw Corbin at the center of a crowd of elites.

He held a glass of whiskey, looking proud and full of himself. "An Alpha controls his own destiny. So what if my parents don't like Faye? I've already marked her in an unofficial ceremony. She's my one and only woman now."

Faye leaned gently on his shoulder. "Corbin defied the elders for my sake. I'll treasure him forever."

The sycophants in the crowd immediately started fawning over them. "Alpha Corbin has real guts! I say that whole 'curse' thing sounds fake. Only a fool would believe that crap."

"And the Laurel Pack is even worse, bragging about some special bloodline. I bet that Ayla girl just made it all up to trap Alpha Corbin."

Corbin scoffed.

"The legend of our family curse says our Alphas don't live past thirty. Look at my grandfather. He's ninety. My father is almost sixty. The curse didn't take them, did it? They always say the Laurel ritual saved them, but I think it was just a coincidence. My thirtieth birthday is next week. We'll see if I actually die without that ridiculous song."

Faye clutched his arm and said softly, "Corbin, you'll live a long and happy life."

I had no interest in their drama and found a quiet corner to sit.

But it wasn't long before someone noticed me.

"Hey, isn't that Ayla from the Laurel Pack?"

"What's she doing here?"

"She can't still be hung up on Corbin, can she? Trying to win him back?"

The whispers reached Corbin's group.

Corbin frowned, his tone displeased.

"I knew she wouldn’t be able to let go. How disgusting."

Faye nervously grabbed his arm, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Dear, the elders have always favored Ayla… What if she insists on getting back together with you? What should I do?"

Seeing his beloved in tears, Corbin’s expression instantly turned cold.

He comforted her, "Faye, don’t worry, I won't give her the chance."

With that, he and his entourage started walking toward me.