Chapter 2

When I woke up again, I was lying in an unfamiliar wooden cabin. I tried to sit up, but the pain in my body was so intense that I could not move.

An old woman came in carrying a bowl of herbs. “You’re awake.”

I forced my eyes to move, focusing on the unfamiliar werewolf before me.

She sat on the edge of the bed and checked my wounds. “Kid, I'm the herbalist of the borderlands. I found you by the river three days ago. You were nearly swept away.”

I struggled to speak. “The Blood Moon…”

She nodded. “Many things happened that night. Your inner wolf awakened, but the silver’s suppression has left it terribly weak. Which pack are you from? Where's your family?”

I closed my eyes and said nothing.

It was then that the voices of two passersby came from beyond the door.

“Did you hear? The Silvermoon Alpha’s daughter is dead.”

“It happened on the night of the Blood Moon. I saw the news. The Alpha and his mate were crying their hearts out in front of the cameras.”

“Yeah, the Alpha was holding his foster daughter. He said that his other daughter was too weak. He blamed himself for failing to protect her.”

“His wife was even more dramatic, crying as she blamed herself for her carelessness. They should've gotten someone to watch over her. She said their daughter was a sweet girl who never caused any trouble."

“I heard they got ten million dollars in pack compensation.”

“They did, but they gave all of it to their foster daughter.”

“Lucky girl. Now, she’s the only heiress.”

My fingers clenched the bedsheet so tightly that my nails nearly pierced my palms. They thought I was dead, and they were putting on a show for everyone. They even gave the compensation to Emma.

The herbalist called out in a gentle voice, “Kid?”

I turned my head toward the window and stayed silent.

I lived in that isolated cabin for the next three months. Every day, I sat at the window, staring out at the forest. I neither spoke nor smiled, like the living dead.

The herbalist brewed medicines for me and taught me about herbs. I only nodded mechanically.

One day, a convoy stopped outside the cabin. A well-dressed woman stepped out, followed by several bodyguards in black.

“Lady Margaret!” exclaimed the herbalist as she bowed in surprise.

That was when I learned who she was. She was the head of the Blackstone Consortium—the wealthiest woman in the entire werewolf world. She had come to collect a custom order of spices, but her eyes landed on me in the corner.

“Who is this child?” asked Margaret.

“I found her three months ago. She doesn’t speak. I don’t know which pack she’s from.” The herbalist let out a sigh.

Margaret walked over and gracefully crouched in front of me. When her eyes met mine, she froze.

“Oh my God… Silver…” A sharp gasp escaped her. Her voice shook as she spoke. “You… You’re… a Silvermoon Wolf?”

I turned away, avoiding her gaze.

She continued, “Kid, your bloodline shouldn’t be buried. Why don’t you come with me? I can give you the finest education and the strongest training. I can make you a leader the world will look up to.”

I laughed bitterly to myself. I only wanted to disappear. However, staying here was pointless.

Hence, I gave the smallest nod.

The herbalist packed a simple bundle for me, and I left with Margaret. Her luxury car was like a moving palace. I curled up in a corner, watching the scenery race by outside.

“What’s your name?” asked Margaret.

I shook my head.

She thought for a moment. “Then I’ll call you Selena. It means moonlight. Your eyes remind me of it.”

I did not object. Names no longer mattered to me.

She brought me to Blackstone Consortium’s headquarters—a towering modern skyscraper. She gave me a suite on the top floor, along with private tutors and trainers. She treated me well and gave me the best of everything. Still, I always kept a wall around my heart.

I was afraid her kindness came with strings attached.