Chapter 2

"Thalia, you're awake?"

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw my father's anxious face.

"The Alpha said you passed out in your room. Thank the Goddess he found you and brought you back."

I peered past him, locking onto Silas's eyes, which held a silent, dark warning.

Of course, it was a lie he’d spun for my father.

But my dad was a Pack Elder, and Silas was the Alpha. I didn’t want my father getting into a conflict with Silas over me.

So I forced a smile. “I’m fine. Thank you... Alpha.”

It was the first time I’d addressed Silas so formally. His expression faltered.

But only for a second.

The next moment, he announced with joy, “Elder Grace, I came specially today to share some news. Sloane soothed me when I went feral. I’ve already marked her, and I plan to hold our mating ceremony next month.”

My breath hitched.

Even though I had resolved to give up on Silas in this life, hearing those words still brought a sharp pang to my chest.

He treated Sloane like his savior. If it had been me, he would have only suspected I had ulterior motives.

My father frowned, shooting me a worried look.

He knew I had loved Silas for years, and now Silas was going to mate with my cousin.

Seeing this, Sloane spoke up pitifully. “I know I shouldn’t take the person Thalia likes, and I didn’t save Silas for the Luna title. Maybe we should just forget it...”

Before I could say a word, Silas pulled her firmly into his arms, cutting her off sharply. “Since when does my choice of Luna require Thalia’s approval?”

He turned to me, his eyes cold. “Let’s make things clear today. Thalia, I don’t like you. No matter how hard you try, it’s a waste of time. Give up now; it’s better for both of us.”

In my past life, those words would have shattered my heart.

But now, I actually felt a sense of relief.

My face was calm. “Don’t worry, I’m over it. Congratulations, you two are a perfect match.”

Silas narrowed his eyes, staring at me with a sharp, probing gaze, as if trying to find a crack in my composure.

But I truly didn't care anymore.

Seeing this, my father didn't say much else, simply offering them his blessings.

Over the next few days, Silas’s gifts flooded into our house like a tide to show how much he valued Sloane.

That afternoon, I walked into the living room to see the sofa piled high with expensive shopping bags.

Sloane was holding up a diamond necklace in front of the mirror.

“Thalia, come look!” she waved at me excitedly. “Silas bought all this for me. He said as his future Luna, I have to have the best of everything. Isn't this necklace beautiful?”

My mind flashed back to my past life. Silas had never given me a single gift, nor did he look forward to our mating ceremony.

“It suits you.” I didn’t even stop walking, planning to head straight to my room.

A flash of resentment crossed Sloane’s eyes.

She suddenly hurried over to me, holding the heavy jewelry box.

“Don't you want to take a closer look? It's limited edition...”

Before she finished, her ankle suddenly twisted, and she fell backward.

“Ah!”

With a scream, Sloane hit the carpet hard. The jewelry box crashed to the floor, and the necklace chain snapped.

Right at that moment, Silas walked in.

He rushed into the living room, his eyes turning dangerous the second he saw Sloane on the floor.

“Thalia! What the hell are you doing?!” Silas shoved me aside and pulled Sloane into his arms.

“Silas, it hurts...” Sloane clutched his sleeve, tears welling up. “Don’t blame Thalia. I just lost my balance. I’m sure she didn’t push me on purpose.”

Her words instantly framed me.

But I just said, “It had nothing to do with me.”

“You’re still lying!” Silas roared in anger. “You’ve always bullied Sloane since we were kids. Don’t think I don’t know. You play the good sister when Elder Grace is around, but the second he leaves, you show your vicious true colors!”

I felt helpless, but suddenly, everything made sense.

So this was why he always hated me. He thought I was just a wicked woman who bullied Sloane.

I didn't want to argue anymore. I just looked at him coldly. “I didn’t even touch her. Believe what you want.”

“I won't believe a single word you say.” Silas shielded her like a protective wolf, warning me, “Until the mating ceremony, I’m staying here to protect Sloane. You better not try any more tricks.”

Then he carried Sloane upstairs without looking back.

I stayed silent for a moment. Then I went back to my room, opened the closet, and threw every single plain dress I had bought to please Silas into the trash.

I pulled out a red slip dress.

It was the color Silas hated most, but it was my favorite.

The next day, I put on the red dress, did my makeup perfectly, and slowly walked down the stairs.

I didn't want to breathe the same air as them, so I decided to go out for a walk.

In the living room, Silas, who was peeling an orange for Sloane, looked up.

His eyes landed on my red dress, and his gaze instantly turned freezing cold.

“Dressed like that... what kind of new trick is this to get my attention?” he sneered.