Chapter 4

After the hunt ended, news of Livia's severe injuries spread throughout the pack.

Supposedly, she'd been slashed by enemy claws during the chaos, the wounds deep, beyond what ordinary herbs could heal.

If she didn't receive timely treatment, her life could be in danger.

I scoffed at this.

Knowing Livia as I did, her injuries were probably less than half as serious as the rumors claimed. But that didn't stop Lucas from kneeling before my door like a man who'd lost his mind, begging.

"Elena!" His voice was hoarse and urgent. "Please give me the Moon's Blessing Elixir! Livia won't make it. Only the Alpha family's sacred medicine can save her!"

The Moon's Blessing Elixir—the Silver Moon Pack's most precious treasure, said to have been bestowed by the Moon Goddess on the first Alpha hundreds of years ago.

Each vial was extremely precious. In a century, the entire pack had accumulated only three.

And Lucas wanted to use it to save a manipulative woman.

"No," I said, my voice calm and cold. "The elixir belongs to the pack, not to me personally. Besides, Livia's injuries aren't severe enough to require it."

"You're jealous!" Lucas jerked his head up, his eyes full of anger. "You're doing this because I chose Livia instead of you. That's why you won't give it to me!"

"Jealous?" I laughed lightly. "Lucas, you think far too highly of yourself."

"I can promise you!" He suddenly changed tactics, cunning flashing in his eyes. "If you give me the elixir, I'll... I'll agree to the marking ceremony with you!"

I froze for a moment, then laughed aloud.

This was the most ridiculous deal I'd ever heard.

"Lucas Whitehall," I said, enunciating each word, "do you think you're worth a vial of sacred elixir? Did my past affection for you give you such a laughable delusion?"

His face instantly turned iron-gray.

"Elena! You—"

"Leave," I said. I didn't want to waste any more time on him. "The elixir matter is non-negotiable."

Lucas stood, his eyes full of resentment. "Fine. Very well! You won't give it to me? Then I'm telling you—I won't show up on the day you announce your mate!"

"Suit yourself," I replied flatly. "It has nothing to do with you anyway."

He froze. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

Lucas stared at me for a while, somewhat confused, then his expression quickly turned disdainful.

I knew he didn't believe I'd gotten over him. After all, I'd followed behind him for five years.

No one would think infatuated Elena would suddenly change her heart.

Without the Moon Goddess's vision, I truly wouldn't have.

He finally turned to leave, throwing out a parting shot: "I'll get that elixir one way or another!"

His warning wasn't empty words.

That night, the Moon's Blessing Elixir stored in the Alpha's vault was stolen.

The guards said they saw nothing, as if someone had cast an invisibility spell. But I knew there was no such thing as magic in this world—only carefully planned conspiracies.

I'd expected this day would come.

So beforehand, I'd already placed memory stones in various corners of the vault—special minerals that could record images, the most reliable evidence in the pack.

Now I only needed to wait quietly.

Wait for tomorrow's announcement ceremony. Wait for all truths to come to light.

Night deepened. I stood by the window, gazing at the moon in the sky. It remained so bright, so cold, as if overlooking all the joys and sorrows of this world.

"Miss Elena," Hannah entered carrying hot tea, "Master Kaine is here. He says he wants to see you."

I paused slightly, then nodded. "Let him in."

Moments later, Kaine's figure appeared in the doorway. His wounds had been treated, but walking still showed a hint of stiffness.

"It's so late—what brings you here?" I asked.

He didn't answer immediately, only walked to my side and stood beside me at the window.

"About the elixir—I heard," he said quietly. "It was Lucas."

"I know."

"You're not going to pursue it?"

"I will." I turned to look at him, my lips curving slightly upward. "But not now. At tomorrow's ceremony, everything will have answers."

Kaine was silent for a while, then suddenly reached out and gently held my fingers.

His palm was warm and rough, bearing the calluses unique to warriors.

"No matter what happens," his voice was low and firm, "I'll stand by your side."

I didn't pull my hand away, only quietly felt that warmth.

Tomorrow would be the day to announce my mate.

The day for everything to begin anew.