Chapter 2

Raven's POV

Three days had passed.

The Love-Erasing Potion's effects were more thorough than I'd imagined. I sat in my room, looking at myself in the mirror—same face, same body, but those eyes no longer held love for anyone.

My wolf was completely dormant, as if dead.

These past days I'd carried out my Head Warrior duties as usual—patrolling, training, arranging defenses. Everything ran smoothly. The only difference was that I maintained professional distance with everyone, including Asher.

Pack members began whispering.

"Raven's been acting strange lately, always so cold and distant."

"Probably because of the Alpha's marriage. Anyone would be hurt."

"But she doesn't look sad at all. More like... emotionless."

Emotionless. They were right—I truly had no emotions left.

"Head Warriors assemble! Prepare for the hunt!"

The messenger's voice interrupted my thoughts. I grabbed my weapons and headed to the gathering point. Today was the monthly pack hunt, and I needed to handle perimeter security.

Just as I reached the assembly area, I saw Asher walking toward me. His expression was complex, as if he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

"Raven." He stopped in front of me. "Do you have time to talk?"

I looked at him, feeling nothing. Before, when he called my name, my heart would race like a startled deer. Now I just wanted this conversation to end quickly.

"What are your orders, Alpha?"

He frowned. "I mean talk privately. About... your state these past few days."

"My state is perfectly normal."

"Normal?" Asher's tone grew urgent. "Raven, I know you've been upset lately, but I hope you can understand—my decisions are all for the pack's greater good. Lydia's arrival brings us stronger alliances—"

"Alpha." I cut him off. "The hunt's about to begin. Personal matters don't need discussion. My duty is protecting pack members' safety. Nothing more."

Asher was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected this response, and hurt flashed in his eyes.

"You... really have changed." His voice was low.

"People always change." I shouldered my bow and arrows. "I'm going on perimeter patrol."

I turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone.

Deep in the forest, the hunt was going smoothly.

I patrolled the perimeter, ensuring no enemy packs or beasts threatened our people. While checking a high vantage point, I spotted a figure standing at the cliff's edge.

Blonde hair, white hunting outfit—Lydia.

She stood alone at the cliff edge, seemingly admiring the scenery. This was quite far from the hunting party, and Lunas weren't supposed to act alone.

Out of duty, I approached her.

"Luna, this area's dangerous. You should return to the group."

Lydia turned around. When she saw me, something flashed in her eyes.

"Raven? What are you doing here?" Her tone sounded surprised, but her gaze was shrewd. "The view here is quite nice. I couldn't help lingering."

I surveyed the terrain—this place was indeed accident-prone. "Time to head back now."

"Wait." She quickly stepped toward me, her voice softening. "Since we're alone, why don't we chat?"

I frowned. What was there to chat about with her?

"As women, I think we should talk openly." Lydia smiled. "About Asher."

Hearing that name, irritation rose in me. Couldn't I have a moment's peace?

"There's nothing to discuss." I turned to leave.

"Really?" she asked, confused. "Don't you want to know what Asher told me last night?"

I stopped, not from curiosity, but because the deliberate provocation in her words felt tiresome.

What was this woman doing? Trying to anger me?

"He said he's never felt this way about any woman before." Lydia continued, pride in her voice. "He said I'm his destiny, a gift from the Moon Goddess."

I glanced back at her, my expression unchanged.

"Great." My tone was flat. "Congratulations to both of you."

Lydia was clearly more confused by my reaction. She stepped closer, her probing gaze more obvious.

"That's IT?" Her voice grew sharp. "You're not angry? Not jealous? Don't you want to... DO something?"

I stared at her, finding the question itself strange. "Why would I have those emotions?"

Lydia's expression instantly changed, annoyance flashing in her eyes. Clearly, my cold response was completely unexpected.

"You're really weird, Raven." Her tone turned sinister as she paced slowly around the cliff edge. "Asher also said he's grateful he didn't choose you. He said you were too obsessive, too... dangerous."

I watched her performance quietly, feeling nothing.

"Is that so?"

Seeing I still had no intense reaction, Lydia's face grew uglier.

"You know, last night Asher held me and said he was grateful he didn't choose you." Her voice turned vicious as she paced back and forth at the cliff edge. "He said you were too obsessive, completely unsuitable to be Luna."

"He's right." I nodded. "That's accurate."

Lydia's eyes widened, clearly not expecting this response.

"What's WRONG with you?" She was almost shouting. "Why don't you react at ALL? You should be jealous of me, should hate me, should want to HURT me!"

Watching her near-breakdown, I finally understood something.

"Sorry to disappoint you. I don't have those emotions."

Lydia took a deep breath and stepped back, positioning herself closer to the cliff edge.

"Then I'll have to use other methods." She said quietly, madness gleaming in her eyes.

"What?" I was about to ask when I saw her suddenly stumble, her body tilting toward the cliff.

"Ah!" Her scream echoed through the valley as her body slid down, hands flailing desperately in the air.

I stood there, somewhat surprised by this scene.