Chapter 3

Luther froze for a few seconds, clearly annoyed. "Don't be stubborn right now. I know how awful it feels when the Lustra poison kicks in. I can help ease it. Elise is the weakest in our pack. Without me, she can't handle it. You should understand that."

"It's fine. I don't need it anymore. Stay with her."

Luther blinked, looking as if he hadn't expected me to be this generous. "Fine. These pills will help your body recover later. Take them."

He pulled a small vial from his coat and set it at the doorway, only for Elise to step on it and crush it.

"Sorry! I'm so clumsy. I'm just too weak to control myself. Lilith, please don't blame me! I'll pick them up for you. It's all my fault!"

Elise crouched and fumbled on the floor, grinding the pills into dust.

Luther stopped her and held her hands, checking them carefully. "Don't bother picking them up. You'll hurt yourself."

"But what about Lilith's medicine—"

"She's got hands and feet. She can make her own medicine. Leave it."

Everyone knew that ever since I'd blocked a silver blade for Luther, my body had never been the same. Even climbing a hill exhausted me. And gathering herbs for medicine meant hiking a thousand‑foot mountain.

"It's not easy to make pills. What if Lilith cheats and sneaks some of your supply?"

"Then I'll break her hands," he said coldly.

The words pierced my ears and threw me back into memory.

Yes, I had secretly used his things once, when I was 17.

We were out hunting and both got hurt. My wounds were worse because I'd shielded him.

The pack's witch gave us a healing potion.

The stuff was horribly bitter, but Luther's face didn't change when he drank it.

I was curious, so I secretly lifted his bowl and tasted it.

That tiny act had turned me into a laughingstock. They all thought I loved Luther so much that I'd drink from his bowl.

He smashed the bowl I'd touched and broke my hands, turning me from the Alpha's savior into a pathetic prisoner.

If I hadn't saved him, he would have thrown me out of the pack altogether.

I turned to leave, but Luther blocked me.

"Don't you need help neutralizing the poison? Let's do it now. I'm free."

"I told you, I don't need it anymore."

I pulled my reddened hand from his grip and looked at him with blatant impatience.

Luther gave a low laugh, then suddenly pinned me against the wall, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"You don't need me to neutralize the poison? Then who's gonna do it for you? Look at yourself. Do you think anyone would want you except me? The seer said that I'm your fated mate anyway. Why are you fighting your destiny?"

He locked eyes with me while communicating with me through mind link.

I tilted my head up and laughed carelessly. "Why do you care so much? Are you in love with me?"

Seeing as I refused to answer directly, Luther leaned in closer, his shadow covering me completely.

"I can kick you out of the pack. Try me," he growled with his teeth clenched.

His eyes were bloodshot, veins standing out on his neck.

I shoved him hard. "That would be perfect. I've been wanting to leave the pack."

"What's this? Are you giving up on me because you've found someone else?"

He smashed a wine glass against the edge of the table and jabbed the shards into the wall behind me. "If you dare betray me, I'll never forgive you. You'd better not regret it!"

Elise rushed out, grabbing my hand and trying to make me kneel. "Lilith, are you trying to piss Luther off so he'll notice you? That's a pathetic trick. He doesn't like you acting this way!"

Luther's anger cooled when he heard that. He stepped back a few paces, regaining his usual confident look.

He was sure I wouldn't leave him. After all, I'd secretly loved him for years and nearly died saving him.

Downstairs, murmurs spread as more people gathered. Some had overheard everything and began spreading the news. Soon, the whole pack knew I was leaving.

They even started betting on how soon I'd come back to apologize.

"I'm calling three days!"

"You're giving her too much credit. I'll wager a bottle of healing tonic that she'll be running back here in three minutes!"

I ignored them and walked straight out of the pack's territory without a single glance back.

Luther watched me go, calmly sipping a glass of red wine. "I'm sure you'll be back within a day."

Before I got far, Elise caught up, teasing nonstop. "Gosh, I wish you'd walk faster. I'm glad you're leaving. Once you're gone, Luther will forget you and love me forever."

I clapped my hands and laughed. "Ha! Keep dreaming. The seer said whoever marries you will lose their whole pack. Do you really think Luther will marry you?"

I stepped around her and kept walking.

Sawyer had already been waiting outside the pack for a while. When he saw me, he pulled me into his arms.

"Have you decided? If you establish a mate bond with me, you won't be able to divorce me. Till death do us part."

I held his hand and kissed him softly. "Trust me. With me here, death won't be on the table. You'll become an Alpha King, and I, your Luna Queen."