Chapter 3

Right before the heavy doors slammed shut, I heard Elena’s mocking giggle.

"Christian, you truly are the most honorable Alpha. Sacrificing your Luna-to-be all for little old me."

"Then again, if you want to run after her, none of us will judge you."

Christian’s confident reply rang out clearly:

"Without me, no pack on this continent will ever take her in as Luna."

They placed a five-million-dollar bet, laughing that I would crawl back on my knees begging for mercy within three days.

In that exact second, my heart died completely.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't touched in years.

It rang for less than three seconds before connecting.

"I'm hosting a Mating Ceremony in three days. I need an Alpha."

Without a second of hesitation, the deep voice on the other end responded: "I'll see you in three days."

Just then, a text popped up from my grandmother, who was resting at home.

“My sweet girl, is the Mating Ceremony over? Grandma cooked all your favorites at home. I’m waiting for you two to come back.”

Swallowing the bitter lump in my throat, I didn't dare tell her the truth.

I forced my voice to sound cheerful and sent back an audio message:

“Got it, Grandma! I’m heading home right now to keep you company. But Christian has urgent pack business to attend to, so he won't be joining us tonight!”

Before stepping into the car, I glanced back toward Christian's manor.

He and Elena were surrounded by the pack, bathed in the warm glow of the chandeliers.

As everyone cheered and teased them, Christian’s ears flushed red.

A burning, stinging pain washed over my cheeks. Before I knew it, my dried tears were flowing again.

I covered my face with both hands, refusing to let anyone see me fall apart.

...

I honestly don't remember how I drove home.

By the time I snapped out of it, the food on my plate had been shredded to bits by my fork.

Seeing that something was terribly wrong, Grandma quickly set down her fork and pulled me into her arms.

She stroked my hair gently, her voice trembling. "Sweetheart, tell Grandma... did that boy Christian hurt you?"

Looking into her loving, worried eyes, I completely broke down.

"Grandma... what if I take you away from here? Let's go somewhere far away, okay?"

When she didn't answer right away, I looked up in confusion. A warm tear fell from her wrinkled face, landing right in the corner of my eye.

"Okay, my sweet girl. Grandma will go wherever you go. I'll take care of you."

"If that mating doesn't bring you happiness, then we won't do it. All Grandma wants is for you to be happy."

I buried my face in her chest and wept, letting out years of bottled-up pain and humiliation.

The next morning, as I packed our suitcases, a notification from Ins popped up on my screen.

It was a picture of Elena in a designer ski suit, snuggled intimately against Christian’s chest. They looked just like a couple deeply in love.

Her caption read: “Practicing my ski moves with my best friend~”

I froze. The little stuffed snow wolf Christian had given me fell out of my coat pocket.

He had given it to me to make up for the fact that I had never seen real snow, promising he’d take me skiing once he wasn't busy with work.

I had waited years for that day. It never came.

Turns out, he always had the time. He just didn't want to spend it on me.

I gave a self-deprecating laugh and threw the wolf straight into the trash.

Suddenly, a horrifying cry came from Grandma's bedroom.

I kicked the door open. Grandma was collapsed on the floor, writhing in agony.

Christian's voice was echoing from her cracked phone on the carpet: “...You were violated by rival wolves...”

"Sweetheart... is what he said true? When did you suffer like that...?"

"It's all my fault... cough, cough... It's all because Grandma couldn't protect you..."

Tears streamed down Grandma's face as she clutched desperately at her chest.

The sheer agony on her features made my blood run cold.

Her heart condition was flaring up!