Chapter 2
“Kathy, I’m your brother. You’ve been ill recently and lost some memories. I’ll keep these important documents safe for you.”
Alpha Noah’s fingertips brushed over the bond-severance contract, his Adam’s apple bobbing awkwardly.
I stared at his evasive eyes, my nails digging deep into my palm.
He always unconsciously pressed his lips together when he lied — a habit I’d memorized after eight years of living together.
Zoe’s voice seethed with fury, “He doesn’t even bother to fake sincerity anymore!”
Suddenly, his communicator vibrated in his pocket, and Evelyn’s delicate voice came through the speaker.
“Alpha Noah~ I just touched a stray dog and now I’m all itchy with rashes. The pack hospital is so scary… can you come keep me company?”
I could practically picture her practicing her pitiful expression in the mirror.
“I’ll be right there.” Alpha Noah stood up immediately, then turned back to me. “Come with me to the pack hospital. Evelyn mentioned she’d like to meet her ‘sister’.”
He deliberately emphasized the word “sister,” as if trying to nail our relationship into the coffin of fake kinship.
Zoe’s voice rang out in alarm, “He wants to erase your past completely — by branding you as his sister in front of everyone!”
Evelyn lay curled up on the hospital bed in a cashmere blanket. The moment she saw Alpha Noah, tears streamed from her eyes.
“Alpha Noah, I thought I was going to die…”
She held out her wrist — just a few tiny red bumps, yet she had them wrapped dramatically in gauze.
“The doctor said hot soup would help, but I… I can’t make it myself…”
“Lies! There’s no trace of wolf-allergy scent on her at all!” Zoe’s claws scratched angrily at the corners of my consciousness.
“I’ll go buy some,” Noah said, stepping away. But Evelyn grabbed his sleeve.
“Soup from outside doesn’t compare to yours. Remember that borscht you used to make for me? Just one sip and I’d feel better…”
I couldn’t stop the cold laugh that escaped me. Memories surged uncontrollably.
For eight years, I had done all the cooking.
He couldn’t even use the microwave — and always justified it with, “Kitchen work is for Omegas. An Alpha’s hands should hold a command token, not a spatula.”
Yet now he tucked the blanket around her with gentle hands and whispered, “Wait for me, I’ll be back soon.”
“Kathy should stay too, okay?” Evelyn suddenly looked at me, her eyes gleaming with malice. “I’d love to hear what it feels like… to be Noah’s sister.”
She deliberately enunciated “sister” with mocking clarity, her fingers twirling the moonstone bracelet Noah gave her.
Before I could respond, she suddenly clutched her chest and coughed violently. “It… hurts… so much… without Alpha Noah, I feel like I can’t breathe…”
She curled up like a shrimp, tears clinging to her lashes. “If I could just drink his soup… even if I died now, it’d be worth it…”
Noah immediately clasped her hand. “Kathy, go buy carrots and beef. Don’t dawdle.”
I stared at the faint imprint of his wedding ring still lingering on his palm and suddenly laughed.
“So even brother Noah knows how to cook?”
My gaze swept past Evelyn’s smug expression. “Want me to find the recipe for you? Since someone still can’t tell sugar from salt.”
Noah’s face darkened instantly, but Evelyn tugged at his sleeve, playing weak again. “It’s okay, don’t force Evelyn… I won’t drink it…”
He turned back, voice now laced with warning. “Kathy, don’t be unreasonable.”
Evelyn suddenly sat up and gently touched the bite mark on her neck, a provocative smile curling on her lips. “Oh, right — Kathy, little sister — you probably don’t know yet, do you? In seven days, Noah and I will hold our wedding ceremony.”
She raised her moonstone-ringed hand in front of me and waved it smugly. “This is a wedding ring made from an Alpha token’s moonstone — there’s only one in the world.”
Tilting her head, her eyes gleamed with gloating satisfaction. “You must come witness it, okay? After all, you’re the sister Noah cherishes most.”
She leaned close and whispered, just loud enough for Alpha Noah to hear, “Maybe watching us exchange bite marks will help jog your memory… after all, back then, you and Alpha Noah…”
“Evelyn!” Noah cut her off sharply, the Alpha token at his waist glinting with cold light. “Don’t speak nonsense.”
Evelyn quickly reverted to her fragile persona, eyes shimmering with tears. “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have brought up things that upset Evelyn. But please come, okay?”
She blinked innocently. “I want everyone to see that Alpha Noah has finally found his true Luna.”
“True Luna?!” Zoe scoffed bitterly. “Back then, you were the one who took a bullet in the border war to protect the pack — the one who used the healing crystal to shield the whole clan! And now, he’s handing that glory to a fraud!”
I had no choice but to go buy the ingredients myself. Without a car, I walked.
When I returned to the pack hospital, I saw Evelyn throwing herself into his arms, feigning weakness again.
“Alpha Noah, my chest… it hurts… I can’t breathe…”
Noah’s expression changed. He cradled her with concern. “Is it getting worse? Hang in there — I’ll get the pack doctor right away.”
He turned to me, voice soft. “Kathy, do you still remember the way home? Should I have someone take you?”
I shook my head. “No need. I can get there on my own.”
On the way home, my communicator buzzed.
After answering, a voice came through the other end:
“Kathy, the welcome ceremony for the Healer Witch Training Camp is all set. We look forward to seeing you in seven days.”
