Chapter 2
“If you hadn’t flaunted your so-called bond in front of Sherry, why would she have leapt from the Full-Moon Altar? Her death is on you! Sandra’s punishment isn’t nearly enough!”
His voice thundered:
“Kneel! Bow to Sandra until she forgives you!”
Before I could argue, Sandra pressed herself against Ulrica’s chest, trembling, her tears shimmering prettily in her eyes.
“Ulrica… don’t blame her. Sherry’s life was fragile. She never got the chance to see the day you loved her back.”
Then she turned her head, her gaze slicing into me like a blade.
Her lips curled into a taunting smile.
“If it weren’t for certain shameless wolves using heat-herbs to trigger a bond… if she hadn’t forced herself into heat under the full moon to carry a pup… would the family ever have demanded you marry her? Sherry would still be alive!”
The hall exploded with whispers, disgusted voices stabbing my ears:
“No wonder the Bay family dressed their Moon Ceremony like a funeral. What kind of omen is this?”
“The Pine princess used herbs to trap a mate bond? Pathetic. Disgraceful!”
“The Bays are right to vent their rage. A wolf’s life for a wolf’s life.”
“Sherry is the real tragedy here. True love torn apart…”
I stood frozen, heart pounding so violently I thought it might burst.
—Forced to the altar? Heat-herbs? Pregnant with a pup?
Selena?
She was shy, obedient—she’d blush if anyone so much as looked at her too long.
My chest softened at the thought of her.
Then a chill crawled over my skin.
Pregnant?
If she was carrying… where was she now? Where were our parents?
A frantic pressure rose in my throat. I turned instinctively, ready to run through the crowd—
But Sandra’s Warrior yanked my hair back with brutal force. My scalp tore, my vision flashed black.
The next second, my forehead was smashed against the stone floor. Pain detonated through my skull, hot blood rolling down my temple.
The hall filled with gasps and laughter. My vision bled crimson.
Sandra leaned down, her breath coiling like a venomous serpent at my ear.
“Selena, your life is tenacious. Even after last night’s torture in the Blood-Moon Chamber, you managed to crawl out alive. Tell me—did it hurt enough?”
Her laugh was cruel, savoring.
“Don’t worry. Tonight, I’ll make sure you hurt even more.”
Blood-Moon Chamber?!
My pulse stuttered. The bloodline inside me burned, resonating violently. I could feel Selena’s terror, her suffocating cries bleeding into my soul.
My blood roared, ready to burst.
Sandra arched her brow, as if every outcome belonged to her alone.
“Selena. Since today is your bond ritual, I prepared a gift for you.”
Her fingertip pressed a switch.
The giant screen flared to life.
My breath seized. My heart clenched like a fist of iron.
On the screen—
Sherry, caught in a secret chamber, her body exposed, forced into obscene humiliation.
The shadows danced over stone walls, the images obscene enough to curdle the air.
Lustful laughter erupted.
“Tsk, tsk… and here I thought the Pine princess was cold and untouchable. Look how filthy she really is.”
“She hasn’t even shifted fully and I can’t hold myself back…”
“Shameless! Disgraceful!” Some of the elder guests turned away in disgust, their faces twisted with contempt.
My chest clenched so violently it felt like my heart might tear apart, the pain stealing my breath.
Selena cared more about her honor than anything else… If she saw this, how shattered, how desperate would she be?
Sandra’s smile widened, feeding on the sight of me unraveling, savoring my anguish like a feast.
Ulrica’s brows drew tight. He spared the screen a glance, contempt flashing in his eyes before hardening into glacial disdain.
When his gaze cut back to me, it was a poisoned blade driving straight into my chest.
“If not to avenge Sherry,” he said coldly, “do you think I would ever bond with you?”
