Chapter 2

Since that day, Lucas stopped hiding his favoritism toward Livia.

Over meals and in leisure hours, whispers among the pack members fell like autumn leaves, everywhere and unavoidable.

"Did you hear? Lucas has been going to the Green household every day."

"Not just going there—he personally hunts for Livia, bringing the best game to her door."

"Last night during the moonlight vigil, someone saw them walking side by side, admiring the moon together. That's supposed to be intimate contact before marking..."

"The Alpha's daughter was just abandoned like that? Lucas is incredibly bold, isn't he?"

When these comments reached my ears, I was sitting in my room, casually flipping through an ancient pack chronicle.

Hannah—my most loyal omega—was trembling with rage, her pointed ears standing straight up. "Elena! This is an insult to you! Lucas is doing this deliberately. He wants the whole pack to know his heart belongs to Livia, so you'll back down!"

"Back down?" I laughed lightly, closing the book. "When did I ever press forward with him?"

Hannah froze, seeming not to understand my attitude.

I didn't explain. The Moon Goddess's vision had shown me Lucas's true face more clearly than anyone else could.

Beneath that cold, distant exterior, he hid nothing but a selfish and cowardly heart.

I hadn't planned to bother with these boring rumors, until that night.

Moonlight was like water as I walked alone by the lake at the territory's edge. Silver moonlight spilled across the lake's surface, creating rippling waves of light, beautiful enough to intoxicate.

Just as I immersed myself in this tranquility, faint footsteps came from behind.

My wolf ears twitched slightly, but I didn't turn around.

"Miss Elena..."

It was Livia's voice, sweet and syrupy with a trembling undertone, like a startled doe.

I slowly turned to see her standing in the moonlight, wearing a plain white dress that made her look even more pitiable. Her almond-shaped eyes were slightly red, as if tears could fall at any moment.

"Miss Green." I nodded, my tone flat. "It's so late—what brings you here?"

"I... I want to apologize to you." She lowered her head, hands twisted tightly together. "Lucas has... his recent behavior has wronged you. It's all my fault. I should—"

"You should what?" I interrupted her. "Tell him to stop coming to see you?"

She jerked her head up, a flash of emotion I almost missed passing through her eyes—not remorse, but... triumph?

But it vanished instantly, quickly replaced by tears.

"I didn't mean to... I just... I just don't know what to do..."

As she spoke, she walked toward me with unsteady steps. I instinctively stepped back, only to realize the lake's edge was right behind me.

In that instant, Livia suddenly reached out and shoved me hard.

The icy lake water swallowed me instantly.

I struggled desperately to surface, choking on several mouthfuls of water. Just then, Livia's scream pierced the night—

"Help! Miss Elena has fallen in! Someone save her!"

Her voice was full of fear and urgency, her acting impeccable.

Hurried footsteps came from the distance. Through my blurred vision, I saw a figure sprinting over.

It was Lucas.

He rushed toward the lake without hesitation—and then pulled Livia into his arms.

"Livia! Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

His voice was full of concern, his eyes seeing only the "traumatized" she-wolf in his embrace.

And I was still struggling in the icy lake water.

Cold invaded from all directions as my limbs gradually lost feeling. Just as consciousness began to blur, Lucas finally turned his head to glance at me.

His expression held no guilt, only indifference.

"Elena," his voice seemed to come from very far away, "you shouldn't have targeted her. Livia did nothing wrong. You just... weren't careful and fell in."

In that moment, I completely understood.

Lucas Whitehall—this werewolf I once thought was my destiny—was nothing but a complete fool.

He couldn't even see the most basic truth, only being played by a manipulative woman.

He didn't deserve the love of an Alpha's daughter. He didn't deserve my tears.

The icy lake water made my body gradually numb.

Just then, a strong hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

A warm force pulled me from the water, drawing me tightly into a broad embrace.

"You stupid wolf," a low, irritated voice sounded in my ear. "How can you mess yourself up over such a small thing?"

I looked up to meet familiar dark eyes.

Kaine Blackwood, soaking wet, held me steadily, his eyes showing something I'd never seen before... anxiety?

"Kaine..." My lips were purple with cold, my voice hoarse and barely audible.

He said nothing, only removed his outer garment and wrapped it tightly around me. The clothing still carried his body heat and a distinctive scent of pine.

Then, holding me, he left the lakeside without a word.

From beginning to end, he didn't look at Lucas once.

And Lucas still held Livia, not even turning around.

That night, lying wrapped in warm fur blankets, two scenes replayed in my mind—

Lucas rushing toward Livia without hesitation.

Kaine jumping into the lake to save me without hesitation.

So this was it. True choices never need words.