Chapter 2

One day after our engagement, we had planned to watch a movie together at the Moonlight Theater. But the moment we met, Darius was called away by a phone call.

From then on, getting dragged away by a call became his norm.

He explained to me.

His childhood friend had returned to the pack, and he needed to pick her up.

Her family had gone bankrupt.

Her parents had both died in a rogue wolf attack, leaving her an orphan. She was pitiful.

Her parents had treated him well when they were alive.

Her name was Becky.

From that day, Darius was often “called away,” and the time we spent together grew less and less.

He loved collecting ancient werewolf relic models. I spent a fortune buying a rare limited-edition bone-carved set, worked on it for half a month, and finally gave it to him with both hands. Watching his happy face was enough to make me satisfied.

But what he loved, Becky also loved.

She giggled and asked him for it. And though he was reluctant, in the end, he gave it to her.

When I found out, I was devastated. I cried in secret.

The next time we met, he explained:

“She’s just a friend. It would’ve been rude to refuse. Don’t overthink it. I don’t have other feelings for her. I’ll make another one for you, okay?”

And just like that, I was coaxed into silence.

He was always that kind of man—kind, considerate, thoughtful to everyone.

Half a year into our engagement, we joined friends for a mountain trial organized by the pack. Becky was there too.

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen her, but it was the first time I truly understood her intentions.

Halfway up the trail, the group stretched apart, and it was just the two of us slightly behind. Suddenly, Becky “accidentally” bumped into me.

We both went tumbling down the stone steps.

Pain shot through my arm—I couldn’t even lift it. I turned toward her, furious and confused.

But she only leaned close, whispering in my ear.

“Julie… if I say you pushed me, who do you think Darius will believe? Will he help you first… or me?”

By the time Darius and the others rushed over, Becky was already sobbing softly, tears streaming down her face.

“Julie… maybe she was just tired from climbing. She didn’t mean to push me…”

Then she glanced at me timidly, like she was the one being wronged.

I wanted to explain, but when I lifted my eyes to Darius, I froze.

He didn’t believe me.

He scooped Becky into his arms, towering above me.

“Julie, stop being unreasonable.”

So that was it.

Because I’d argued with him twice before over Becky, now every fault would automatically be mine.

Unreasonable?

I never thought one day that word would be pinned on me.

That day, I watched him walk away carrying Becky.

Our friends stood awkwardly, unsure what to say, offering useless comfort.

“Julie, we believe you’re not like that.”

“Yeah, don’t be upset.”

“Darius just thought Becky’s injuries looked worse—her hand’s bleeding badly.”

I shook my head.

“It’s fine. You guys keep climbing. I’ll head down first.”

One friend wanted to go with me, but I refused.

There was no need to spoil their fun.

No one saw my arm—dislocated, bloody, mangled.

No one knew I forced myself down the mountain, trembling in pain.

I called for an ambulance myself.

While waiting, strength drained from me, and I fainted.

The last thing I heard before the darkness swallowed me was a panicked voice calling my name.

“Julie! Julie!”

I lifted my head in a daze, past and present overlapping.

It was Richard.

The Alpha behind Moonstone Corp. Orphaned young, yet he not only safeguarded his family’s empire, he expanded it to new heights. Among the elite, he stood at the very top.

We had met by accident.

After graduating high school, I stayed with my grandmother’s pack. There, I once saved him by chance and accompanied him through his recovery. Before leaving, he gave me his contact and promised—within his power, he would grant me one unconditional request.

After that, our families interacted from time to time. We saw each other, spoke, became familiar.

When did it fade?

Probably when I confessed to my family about being with Darius. Two or three years slipped by without us meeting again.

So when I sent him a message that day, I was anxious.

He was unpredictable, untouchable.

But looking around this circle, he was the only one I could think of.

With Darius’s family so powerful, only Richard would dare marry me now.

I didn’t know if he had changed his number.

I didn’t know if he still remembered that promise.

But now, staring at the man in front of me—cold, beautiful, tailored suit as if he had come straight from a business meeting—

My eyes stung, misted over.

I thought I heard Richard sigh softly as he reached out, brushing a tear from my lashes.

“Why are you crying? Didn’t you call me here to sign the contract? What, do you regret it?”

I shook my head and pulled him with me into the Mate Affairs Hall.

Under the astonished gaze of the staff, we handed in our IDs. Within ten minutes, it was done.

So this was how quickly a mate contract could be signed.

But those ten minutes—

Even for just those ten minutes—

Darius couldn’t be bothered to wait with me.

Or maybe… he just couldn’t bear to make Becky wait