Chapter 1

Karen Windsor ran away from our wedding for the third time, and once again, it was to deliver medicine to that childhood neighbor of his.

As compensation, the tribal elders gave me two crates of rare minerals and the deed to an island.

Someone still wouldn't give up and kept calling Karen.

Then Karen's casual voice came through the speakerphone,

"Why would she need compensation? Ella loves me so much, I just need to go back and sweet-talk her a bit, and she'll listen."

"Sophia's health is more important. Once she recovers, I'll hold another wedding for Ella."

The elders wanted to explain, but the werewolves around were all waiting to see the joke—to see how I'd endure this humiliation.

Just like the previous two times.

But I'd had enough, and I'd lost all interest in Karen.

I kicked over the crate of minerals and fixed my gaze on Karen's uncle.

I smiled, "I heard the Old Alpha left a will—whoever can mark me becomes the next Alpha!"

Everyone assumed that for the position of Luna and my family's business, I would swallow my pride again.

After all, for the past ten years, I'd been a pushover.

The Elder called Karen again, this time also on speaker.

Before the Elder could speak, Karen's impatient voice came through.

"For the money, no matter how angry Ella gets, she won't refuse to marry me."

"I'm not calling off the wedding. It's just that Sophia's not feeling well. I'll come back once I've taken care of her."

Then Sophia's coquettish voice came through the phone.

"Karen, don't talk about Ella like that. She's very generous."

"If she can't handle this little grievance, how can she be the pack's Luna in the future?"

I clutched the wolf fang necklace hanging at my chest.

Ten years ago, when I was attacked by wolves in a blizzard, someone saved me and left this wolf fang behind.

I passed out in the snow, and when I woke up, I saw Karen.

He helped me turn the wolf fang into a necklace and put it on me.

Because of this life-saving grace, I decided Karen was my destined mate and fell in love with him.

No matter how many times he abandoned me, I was willing to wait for him.

But now, I didn't want to wait anymore.

I spoke coldly into the phone, "Are you so sure I'll keep waiting for you?"

Karen hadn't expected me to be there too and to have heard what he said. He paused.

"Ella, you know Sophia's health is fragile. Without me by her side, she'll die."

"Can we postpone the ceremony a bit longer?"

Postpone? This was already the third time.

The first time, Sophia said she was afraid of the dark. The second time, she said she wanted to see the northern lights.

Every time, he just abandoned me.

The Elder shouted into the phone angrily, "The marking ceremony ends in three hours! Whatever it takes, get back here now!"

"There are so many envoys outside waiting to see us humiliated. Have you thought about Ella at all? Have you thought about the pack's reputation?"

Karen hesitated, and my heart tightened with him.

But the next second, Sophia's gasping voice came through.

"Karen, I can't breathe. What if I die if you leave?"

Karen said urgently, "Ella, I really can't get away right now."

"You've handled this kind of situation many times before anyway. This small matter won't be difficult for you."

In his eyes, the humiliation and mockery I endured in front of the entire pack were just a small matter.

My heart ached. I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "Whatever you want."

Whether he came back or not didn't matter anymore.

Karen was in a hurry to comfort Sophia and didn't hear the finality in my voice.

"Be good. When I get back, I'll give you an even bigger ceremony."

The Elder's hands were shaking with anger. Just as he was about to call again, I pressed down on his hand.

The other elders who had been watching the show rolled their eyes in dissatisfaction.

"Alright, don't worry. Ella will have a fourth marking ceremony anyway."

"Exactly. At the end of the day, Ella just doesn't have what it takes. She can't even keep a man's heart."

"This is the third time. She made us come here for nothing again. If she had any charm, would Karen run away from the wedding for another woman? What bad luck."

In their eyes, my grievances didn't matter.

What mattered was that I couldn't keep Karen, making them lose face and waste their time.

The guests gradually dispersed, leaving behind a mess.

My gaze fell on the tall figure in the corner.

He was Karen's uncle, also known as the family's notorious playboy.

I walked up to him, "Damian Windsor, want to form an alliance?"