Chapter 2

Lyra's POV

The day after the selection ceremony, I was in my room packing my belongings.

In one week, I'd leave Red Moon Pack and head to Lone Mountain for the mate bond ceremony with Adrian. I packed various herbs into bags—bloodgrass, fever flowers, calming leaves... these might come in handy in the barren mountain region.

"Knock knock knock!"

My door was roughly pushed open as Bella walked in with Rex's arm linked through hers.

"Sister, I came to see how your packing is going!" She glanced at the herbs in my hands and suddenly burst into laughter. "Haha, looks like you're really self-aware!"

"What do you mean?" I continued organizing the herbs.

"Preparing so many medicinal herbs—obviously you know you're going to suffer." Bella looked gleeful. "That place, Lone Mountain, tsk tsk, I heard they don't even have basic medical care. You definitely need to prepare well!"

I ignored her.

Then Bella smugly extended her wrist, showing off her ruby bracelet. "Look at this! Rex's wedding gift to me! And this necklace, these earrings... Steel Fang Pack's jewelry vault is absolutely dazzling!"

She spun around, flaunting her luxurious accessories. "In a few days, I'll be moving into Steel Fang's palace. There are dedicated servants to wait on me, every meal will be delicacies..."

Steel Fang Pack was indeed wealthy and powerful. They controlled the most fertile lands and important trade routes, their treasury overflowing with tributes from various Packs. Meanwhile, Lone Mountain Pack was located in remote mountains with barren land and sparse population—considered the most hopeless choice by everyone.

But I didn't care about these differences at all.

"And you?" Bella continued mockingly. "Herb soup with wild vegetables, a cave for your bridal chamber? What can that pauper Adrian give you?"

I replied calmly, "True wealth lies in the heart, not in jewelry."

"Can wealth in your heart feed you?" Rex spoke coolly. "Lyra, you're young. You don't know how cruel reality can be."

My wolf growled within me.

In my past life, I was deceived by Rex's appearance. After marrying him, I learned his true nature. When I couldn't get pregnant right away, he began showing his fangs.

"You useless thing! Can't even produce a pup—what good are you?"

He tortured me, starved me, locked me in rooms. Only when I finally managed to get pregnant and give birth did he slightly restrain himself. But by then, my heart was already dead.

"Actually, Bella, why are YOU so nervous?" I looked directly into her eyes. "Afraid you chose wrong?"

"What do I have to be nervous about?" Bella's face flushed. "I'm just concerned about you!"

"Then thank you for your concern. But you're the one who should really worry." I glanced at Rex, my tone meaningful. "He's very... obsessed with heirs. If you don't have good news soon..."

Rex's expression immediately darkened.

Right—he hated hearing about this topic most. The Alpha King had given everyone limited time. Whoever produced a powerful Alpha offspring first would claim the throne.

This was a race against time, and Rex couldn't afford to wait.

Bella sensed his mood change and quickly hugged his arm. "Rex, don't listen to her nonsense! I WILL give you the strongest Alpha heir! And soon!"

Rex's expression softened slightly.

After they left, the room fell quiet again.

"If you regret this, it's not too late to change your mind."

I turned around to meet a pair of deep gray eyes, my heart skipping a beat. Adrian had appeared by the window at some point.

"You heard that?"

"Enough." He walked over. "Lyra, I know what choosing me means. If you feel wronged..."

"I never regret my choices." I interrupted him, then handed him the herb bag. "Look and see what else we need to prepare. I want to bring more—we can share them with everyone in the tribe when we get there."

Adrian froze. "You prepared these for my people?"

"They might be useful in the mountains."

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly knelt on one knee and took my hand. "Lyra, I swear—no matter how difficult the path ahead, I will protect you with my life."

His sincere gaze made my heart race—so completely different from Rex's coldness.

"You don't need to swear." I gently touched his face. "I trust you."

After all, in my last life, you died for me.