Chapter 4
Evening was approaching, and after they’d teased me enough, their interest visibly waned.
“Erevan, now we finally get why you rejected Liora. Sure, she’s pretty, but she’s as dull as dishwater.”
I lowered my head and picked myself up from the ground, calm and unruffled.
Erevan walked ahead, watching my disheveled state with cold eyes.
“She’s boring in bed too. You don’t know–every time I look at that deadpan face of hers, all desire just vanishes.”
Soon, the day of the Mate Bonding Ceremony arrived.
The venue was set by the lakeside lawn, red carpet and flowers making it incredibly romantic.
Virelle appeared in full finery, shyly lifting her skirt as she approached Erevan.
I clenched the moonstone ring on my chest, a faint smile touching my lips.
Elian, can you see this?
This day has finally come.
I promised you I would witness with my own eyes his rise to Alpha of the Rosenoir Pack, and that he would find a mate truly hi
own.
Onstage, Erevan noticed the slight curve of my lips, the bright light shining in my eyes, and he suddenly froze.
At a time like this, shouldn’t I be devastated, brokenhearted, lonely?
Why was I smiling instead?
And looking at him with eyes so clear and bright, something he’d never seen before.
Was it a way to catch his attention?
Then he should congratulate me because I’ve succeeded.
Virelle noticed Erevan’s gaze wasn’t focused on her and followed his look, her expression darkening immediately.
Especially when she caught sight of the object in my hand.
“Liora, what do you mean by this? Why would you deliberately bring out the token of love from when you and Erevan were bonded, on the day he’s going to mark me, to humiliate me like this?”
The crowd erupted in whispers and insults, calling me a scheming fake innocent bitch.
Erevan’s expression faltered, then a smirk appeared abruptly.
He called over a Beta, who grabbed me tightly by both hands and feet.
He stepped down, ripped the necklace from my neck, examined it for a moment, then chuckled.
“This really is the matching moonstone ring you gave me eight years ago.”
Erevan had one too. His was the moon, mine was the sun.
“It’s not exactly a token of love. Since it’s caused a misunderstanding with Virelle, I’ll just throw it away.”
Chapter 3
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Ignoring my bloodshot eyes, he tossed the ring into the nearby lake like garbage.
“It’s just a stupid ring-”
Before he finished, as the Beta loosened his grip for a second,
I had already climbed over the railing and jumped into the lake!
The icy water swallowed me whole. I vaguely heard a man’s furious shout, “Liora, you’re insane!”
I’m not crazy.
If I lost the moonstone ring Elian gave me, then I would truly lose my mind.
Remembering I could swim, Erevan waved off the rescuers.
“Let her figure it out herself! Who told her to bring it out and show off? She deserves a lesson.”
I had been looking for the ring until the Mate Bonding Ceremony ended after a full five hours.
I convulsed and felt weak all over; my wounds got infected, and my skin wrinkled white from soaking so long.
But I still couldn’t find it.
Dripping wet, I walked to The Hollow of Honor, crouched down, hugging my knees.
Tears silently fell, mixing with the water dripping off me.
“Elian, I miss you so much.”
“I’ve done everything I promised. I protected him well. But I’m a little tired now. Can I come find you?”
S
When Erevan arrived, he caught sight of me bending to lightly kiss the gravestone.
His face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, snarling.
“Liora, who is this dead man?”
