Chapter 2

With that, I turned on my heel and walked away.

Fenrir chased after me out of the hall, grabbing my arm in a vice-like grip.

"Are you done throwing a tantrum?" His brows knitted together, his Alpha aura leaking out unconsciously. "Where did your sense of grace go?"

"Sienna is my cousin. She is incredibly gifted, and I am going to mold her into the next High Priestess. Everything I'm doing is for the future of the pack. Can't you just be reasonable?"

For the future of the pack?

A wave of sorrow washed over me, and I almost laughed out loud.

The Obsidian Pack was only where it was today because of the resources and backing I provided. I was the one who put him on the Alpha's throne, yet it took me until today to finally see his true colors.

Trembling with anger, I yanked my arm free from his grasp. Just then, a sickeningly sweet voice chimed in.

"Lyra... I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to. Please don't be mad at the Alpha, okay?"

Wrapped in that oversized black wolf-fur coat, Sienna approached timidly.

"I didn't know that collar meant so much to you... If my little slip-up ruins the alliance for the entire pack, I'd never forgive myself."

I glared at her, refusing to back down. "That was a priceless treasure hand-forged by the High Priestess. How exactly do you plan to pay for it?"

Sienna's eyes instantly welled with tears.

She shrank behind Fenrir, her voice trembling with a sob.

"Alpha, it's all my fault... If Lyra really can't stand me, I should just go. I'd rather leave the pack than be the reason your relationship is ruined..."

Fenrir’s heart ached for her. He immediately began to coax her in a low, soothing voice.

"Don't cry, it's my fault. Later, I'll take you down to the pack's underground vault. You can pick out as many rare moonstones as you like and forge as many new collars as you want."

With that, he turned to an attendant behind him and ordered coldly.

"Go to the vault. Bring a few collars here."

Having made the arrangements, he turned back to me, looking down his nose as if offering charity.

"You'll be compensated with a new collar. Pick whatever style you like. Now, if you're done throwing your fit, behave yourself. Stop embarrassing us."

Out of habit, he raised his hand, intending to pull me in by the shoulder.

But in mid-air, his movement paused.

A fleeting look of disgust flashed through his eyes. Ultimately, he withdrew his hand and turned back to Sienna.

"Let's go."

Sienna sniffled and obediently followed him.

As she passed by me, she suddenly leaned in and shoved her shoulder hard against mine.

Since I had already sprained my ankle, I stumbled backward, barely managing to keep my balance.

Using the momentum, Sienna fell right into Fenrir's arms, shivering and cowering.

"Alpha, it's all my fault for making Lyra angry... But the way she just looked at me was so scary. I'm terrified that her hatred for me will make her do something to hurt you and the pack..."

Fenrir pulled her into a tight embrace, murmuring soft words of comfort.

I dug my nails so deeply into my palms that they pierced the skin.

The biting pain was the only thing suppressing my inner wolf, who was clawing to break free and tear the girl to shreds.

I didn't stay in that hallway a second longer.

Once I reached a deserted corner, I closed my eyes and reached out through the mind-link, calling upon Master Orion, the legendary Grandmaster Forger who had been in seclusion for years.

"Lyra? I was just about to head to your Mating Ceremony," an elderly voice echoed in my mind.

"The ceremony is canceled," I replied, my tone flat. "However, I need a favor from you tonight. Fenrir is going to introduce a newcomer to you. Please, make sure to give her a 'fair' evaluation."

Severing the link, I sneered inwardly.

Fenrir, do you really think I, Lyra, am just some sick, toothless mutt?

That night's banquet turned into a one-sided slaughter.

Under the watchful eyes of all the elite Alphas, Master Orion took a single, dismissive glance at the collar Sienna presented. His tone was elegant, yet carried an overwhelming, oppressive weight.

"A dead object completely devoid of spiritual aura. The craftsmanship is so crude it lacks any sense of reverence. This is an absolute desecration of the art of forging."

With a few short words, he effectively handed Sienna her death sentence in the forging world.

She lost all face. Fenrir's grand plan to use this event to elevate her status—and secure alliances with several major territories in the process—shattered into nothingness in an instant.

The next afternoon.

Fenrir showed up at my private estate.

Holding an expensive, diamond-encrusted bracelet, he walked up to me with an apologetic smile.

"I was in the wrong yesterday, and I made you suffer for it. This is for you."

He reached out, trying to clasp it around my wrist. I stared at him coldly and stepped sideways to dodge his touch.

His hand froze in mid-air. He let out a heavy sigh and placed the bracelet on the table.

"Lyra, why must you be so hard on her? The Grandmaster's words last night were too harsh. She just returned to the pack; she can't handle a blow like that. She needs to rebuild her confidence."

He looked at me and stated his demand as if it were his absolute right.

"I want to borrow your family's sealed 'Lunar Sanctuary' to host a personal collar exhibition for her."

I finally raised my eyes and met his gaze dead on.

"You care so much about her. Is it truly just because you appreciate her craftsmanship?"

I mercilessly ripped away his facade.

"Or is it because you somehow can't smell that overpowering scent of her being in heat?"

Fenrir's face changed drastically.

"Lyra! She is my cousin! Don't use your dirty mind to smear our relationship!"

I looked at his face, contorted with the defensive rage of someone whose lie had just been exposed.

It confirmed it. The boy I had once loved was truly dead.

"She ruined my Mating Ceremony and destroyed my sacred collar." I pointed toward the door, my voice devoid of any warmth.

"And now you want me to use my family's sanctuary to host an exhibition to boost her ego?"

"Get out."