Chapter 1

Nancy Sterling, my adopted sister, had panicked and tripped after getting locked in.

Maverick Lovell, my brother—who happened to be the Alpha King—was filled with concern after seeing the injuries on Nancy.

He, however, immediately flew into a rage the moment he remembered that I was responsible for the whole thing. "It's been almost four days, yet she still refuses to admit her mistake! She doesn't even bother pretending to regret what she did!"

Nancy said, "Please don't hold it against Mira, Maverick. She probably didn't realize I was still in there when she locked the door. She wouldn't have done it if she had known. She must be scared being alone in that sealed chamber. Why don't we just let her out, Maverick? I'm really all right now."

Luca Lockwood, my betrothed mate, looked at Nancy affectionately. He found her incredibly naive, which only made him despise me more.

"How could it not have been intentional? She pretended not to hear you while you were yelling for help behind the door. How can she be my wife, let alone the Luna of the pack, if she can't even show some empathy to her adopted sister?"

Hearing this, the butler, who had just walked in, stopped and hesitated. "Mira—"

Maverick cut him off, cocking his brow slightly. "What's the matter? Has she finally thought it through and decided to apologize for her action?"

"T-There isn't a single sound coming from inside, and the food by the door hasn't been touched at all. Do you think we should unlock the door and take a look inside?"

Hearing no sign of me giving in, their expressions turned even grimmer. They completely ignored what was unusual about what the butler had just said.

"Don't open it! Mira's definitely putting on another act so that we'll let her out of the sealed chamber!"

"Keep it shut! She can stay there for the rest of her life if she won't own up to what she did!"

Hidden from their view, Nancy flashed a triumphant smile.

I stood nearby as a spirit and watched silently, finding everything ridiculous. Maverick and Luca would not be getting what they wanted this time, as I had already died in the sealed chamber.

In the past, the person who had occupied the sealed chamber was a criminal who had intentionally set a fire that killed three werewolves, making him subject to the death penalty under the law.

Damian Mond, Maverick's assistant, had accidentally interrupted his conversation with Nancy when he sought Maverick out to ask him about the execution.

Maverick's expression hardened as he said, "I've made myself clear enough—that criminal deserves to die for his crimes. You can decide how to carry out the execution yourself. If you keep bothering me with such trivial matters again, you can hand in your resignation."

Upon hearing that, Damian immediately arranged for the criminal to be locked in the sealed chamber, where a lethal dose of wolfsbane fumes had already been prepared.

It would take at least a month for the wolfsbane fumes to dissipate entirely, but I was thrown into the chamber only eight days later. It was a completely sealed-off chamber, so my only chance of survival was getting the door opened.

I immediately cried out for help, only for Maverick and Luca to write it off as a weak excuse and leave without a second glance. I had no other option but to ball up my fists and slam them repeatedly against the iron door, the metal vibrating with a loud hum that turned my arms completely numb.

I couldn't afford to stop, though. I pounded on the door until the skin on my hands tore open, leaving smeared bloodstains all over the door.

In under an hour, the wolfsbane fumes seeped deep into my lungs, sending excruciating pain through every inch of my body. I rolled around on the ground from the sheer agony, feeling as though hundreds of ants were biting me and thousands of needles were stabbing me.

I thought a guard had come to deliver my food when I heard footsteps outside the door. I used what little strength I had left to crawl to the door and pleaded weakly, "I've been poisoned… I'm begging you—please help me…"

I desperately hoped for even a sliver of mercy from the guard outside, but all I heard back was Nancy's mockingly cold voice. "You shouldn't put the guards in a tough spot. They wouldn't dare to open this door without Maverick's approval. You brought this on yourself, Mira."

I took my last breath in utter despair, only to open my eyes and find myself standing right next to them as a spirit. That apology they had demanded had ultimately cost me my life.

In the past, I made excuses for their harshness and cold behavior. I never held a grudge against them. I always assumed I was the problem and that I was the one letting them down. It was different this time, though—I couldn't understand their actions anymore. I would never forgive them for what they did to me.

Maverick said, "It's getting late. You should get a good night's sleep, Nancy."

Nancy replied, "Got it. Good night, Maverick."

Just as she said that, the lights cut out and left the room pitch-black. She got scared and instantly sought refuge in Luca's arms, holding his waist tightly and looking entirely helpless.

Luca gently patted her head. "You have nothing to be afraid of. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, Nancy."

"I don't think it's a good idea. Mira will definitely be upset if she finds out, Luca."

Nancy claimed it wasn't a good idea, but she deliberately nestled closer, her ear against his warm chest as she listened to his heartbeat.

Hearing my name, Luca immediately frowned. "We've known each other since we were young. What's wrong with helping each other? Mira just likes making a big deal out of nothing. You should just ignore her and not let her get to you, Nancy."

Nancy exclaimed, "Got it! I'll definitely have the sweetest dreams tonight since a mighty Alpha like you is here to accompany me!"

Though the injury on Nancy's leg was minor, Luca refused to let her exert herself and carried her into the room in a bridal carry.

They looked so close and affectionate that anyone would have taken them for a loving couple, making me look more like the third wheel.

I looked quietly at Luca, feeling completely unfamiliar with the man in front of me. He had never put food on my plate or stayed with me until I fell asleep. He had even refused to sit beside me. He said we had to keep our distance until we formed our mate bond.

I was the one who grew up alongside him, yet the only two things he ever seemed to tell me growing up were "Don't bring disgrace to the pack" and "Can't you get your act together?" He even scoffed in disdain when I had a 104-degree fever. "You're supposed to be the future Luna. How can you not even handle a mere fever, Mira?"

It was only then that I realized he was capable of being gentle, just not toward me.