Chapter 2

The memory of my wolf nearly fading flooded back.

It was late one night.

Sarah sent Lucas a message: [Lucas, I'm scared. I want to sever the mate bond with that rogue wolf.]

From that moment, Lucas changed.

He took back our engagement token—the Moonstone necklace.

His excuse was grand: he had commissioned a dwarf artisan to make a necklace with stronger magic and would give it to me when it was ready.

I believed him.

I was too busy helping him pass the Alpha Council assessment to think twice.

I didn't realize he was giving all his free time to Sarah.

The signs were there early on.

During a territory patrol, Lucas stared at the revealing maid outfits in the market—clothes usually worn by lower-ranked Omegas.

He hinted, "Elena, you should change your style. Healer robes are too conservative and boring."

Later, I found out Sarah had sent him a photo of herself in that exact outfit, asking if she looked good.

Then there was the stormy night.

Lucas was home but kept checking his phone, distracted.

He claimed there was an emergency at the border and rushed out.

That same night, Sarah posted a photo on Facebook of a man's back in the rain. The caption read: [Luckily, I have an Alpha to protect me on this stormy night.]

But I kept lying to myself.

Until that specific evening.

The pack held a banquet to sign a peace treaty with the vampire clan.

Sarah attended as the pack's newly recruited healer.

During the feast, the greedy Vampire Prince insisted Sarah drink a full pot of strong liquor with him.

Sarah’s eyes were red with fear. She hid behind Lucas, trembling.

I thought Lucas would stop it.

Instead, he turned and pushed the heavy pot of liquor toward me.

His voice was gentle but cold as ice: "Elena, Sarah is just an Omega. She can't handle this energy. You are a high-ranking wolf. Drink these cups for her."

It wasn't a cup. It was the whole pot.

This liquor contained violent energy. Even a high-ranking wolf would suffer backlash.

Amidst the jeering crowd, Lucas pressed down on my shoulder—using the Alpha command.

For his reputation, and for that peace treaty, I drank it.

The liquor burned like magma, corroding my throat and my wolf.

That night, I was carried out on a stretcher.

Severe internal corrosion.

When I woke up, only Lucas was in the infirmary.

He showed no pity. Instead, he held the signed parchment with a satisfied smile.

"Elena, you suffered a bit, but look, you helped me secure the treaty."

"I will remember this credit. This proves your love and your value as the future Luna."

My heart went cold watching him act so self-righteous.

On the day of my discharge, I suggested we go hunting in the deep forest to celebrate.

Lucas said he was tired and wanted to rest at the den.

Thirty minutes later, I saw him at the market on the edge of the territory.

He was carrying bags of expensive venison and healing herbs.

I watched him expertly enter the passcode to Sarah's apartment.

He didn't hesitate. It looked like he had lived there for years.

I stood in the hallway, my legs numb. It felt like my soul had been ripped out.

I knocked on the door with trembling hands.

Lucas's voice came from inside, full of laughter: "That was fast delivery."

The door opened.

The truth was naked before me.

I finally understood why Lucas came home late smelling of jasmine body wash.

Lucas instinctively shielded Sarah, who was wearing that sexy maid outfit, as if I were a monster.

"Elena! Are you stalking me?"

"I'm just reinforcing the defense barrier for Sarah. She's a weak Omega. Stop being so dirty-minded."

Was that it?

The Lucas who was too lazy to reinforce our own villa was now her dedicated guardian.

He accused me of being paranoid and ungrateful.