Chapter 2

Four days left.

Besides healing my wounds, I spent the last few days packing up my things.

I stared at the junk piling up in the living room. Silently, I tossed the items one by one into the rune-woven pouch by the door, ready to destroy them all.

This included the countless letters I had penned to him during his endless campaigns. The hundreds of healing elixirs I had brewed specifically for him. The protective runes I had painstakingly carved into his armor.

The secret network of Waystones I had tethered directly to his stronghold. And the sacred blessing I had earned by scaling the treacherous peaks of the Ancestral Sanctuary—a pilgrimage that nearly cost me my life.

After tossing in the last item, I let out a long breath.

But the moment I turned around, my heart skipped a beat.

Gerald was standing in the doorway. I had no idea how long he’d been there. His dark amber eyes stared straight at me, then shifted to the pile of "trash" on the floor.

His voice was hoarse, laced with disbelief. "Why are you throwing all this away?"

"Trash belongs in the garbage."

I looked up and saw Gerald’s fists clenched tight. The veins on the back of his hands bulged, like he was trying incredibly hard to hold his temper back.

He took a deep breath, his voice stiff. "I was too impulsive yesterday. There’s an auction at the Border Winter Market today. Pick whatever things you want. It’s on me."

I didn't say a word. I just walked past him in silence, heading downstairs to the waiting wolf-drawn sleigh.

As soon as I stepped onto the sleigh, I saw Sylara sitting in the front row. She gave me a polite, smiling nod.

I raised an eyebrow and calmly nodded back.

My reaction clearly shocked Gerald.

In the past, I would have thrown a huge fit over this, only giving in after feeling completely wronged.

But now, my total indifference seemed to spark a sudden, nameless panic in his eyes.

The ride was incredibly awkward. Gerald kept showing off his affection for Sylara right in front of me.

One second he was gently tucking a stray hair behind her ear. The next, he was softly asking how she was feeling. His voice was just loud enough for me to hear every single word.

When he checked the rearview mirror to look at me for the seventh time, all he saw was my calm, unbothered face.

Gerald’s expression instantly darkened. He gripped the sleigh’s leather reins so hard they creaked.

When we arrived at the Border Winter Market auction, he didn't even try to hide it. He held Sylara’s hand tightly.

Right in front of all the Wardens and Alpha nobles, he introduced her with disgusting intimacy.

An old friend of his looked shocked. "Gerald, aren't you being a bit too bold? Bringing... her out in the open like this?" The friend glanced at me, his eyes full of pity.

Gerald arrogantly lifted his chin and pulled Sylara even closer.

His friend shook his head and muttered under his breath. "Tsk. Remember how bright and full of life Elowen was at eighteen? Now look at what you’ve turned her into. It’s a damn shame."

Whispers erupted around us.

"I heard that Sylara girl is the Alpha heir's true love. He even brings her to events he’s supposed to attend with his fiancée. Word is, she’s already carrying the next dark wolf pup."

"Don’t let the Healer's calm face fool you. She’s probably boiling with rage on the inside. What a good actress."

I completely ignored their sneers. Before I lost my memories, hearing those words would have made me run away in tears.

But now? I didn't feel an ounce of love for Gerald anymore. Naturally, I couldn't care less about their pity or their mockery.

Once the auction began, Gerald led Sylara to the most visible seats in the front row. He didn't stop bidding, buying her every rare item that came up.

"Gerald, I really want that Nine-Star Crystal necklace," Sylara whined sweetly, sounding incredibly smug.

"Done," Gerald said, raising his paddle without a second thought.

"Gerald, that sapphire tiara is gorgeous! It would look perfect on me!"

"Bought."

"Gerald, this emerald warding amulet is so delicate. How about we get it for our unborn daughter?"

"No problem."

The entire auction hall was in an uproar. When the hammer fell on the final item, the auctioneer’s voice cracked with excitement.

"Good heavens! The Alpha heir of the Darkmoor Pack has bought out every single item tonight! Congratulations to the Alpha heir, and congratulations to his future Luna!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the crowd.

The auctioneer finally realized his mistake.

His eyes darted in panic between Sylara and me. It finally clicked that the real fiancée was sitting quietly in the back row.

He panicked and opened his mouth to apologize. But before he could, Sylara covered her mouth and giggled, thanking him in a soft voice.

Gerald just looked at her with pure adoration. He gently tapped her nose, his eyes practically overflowing with tenderness.

I finally made it to the end of the auction and got up to use the restroom.

The second I pushed open the stall door, I froze. Sylara was frantically stuffing something under her dress.

It looked exactly like... a faux belly pad, woven with a shadow-glamour?