Back in my room, I went to the most hidden drawer and pulled out an old iron box. Inside was a protective amulet that smelled of mint. On it was the Alpha insignia of the Stormfang Pack.

When I was ten, I was small for my age and the other pups used to bully me. One freezing winter, one of them shoved me into a frozen lake.

I struggled and screamed for help, but no one came.

Just as the icy water was starting to pull me under and I was losing consciousness, a small boy risked his life to save me. All I saw was a blurry figure before I blacked out. When I woke up, the only thing beside me was this amulet.

I recognized the pack's insignia. And at the time, Kay was the only young heir to the Stormfang Pack that anyone knew about, so I just assumed it was him who had rescued me. From that moment on, I was completely smitten with him.

But in my last life, I gave him everything and ended up dying a horrible death.

Now that I've been given a second chance, I have more important things to do.

When Kay and Lia found me, I was in the study, studying the pack's defense maps.

There was a weakness in the southern forest's defenses. In my past life, that's where the opposing rogues had breached our perimeter, catching our warriors completely by surprise and leading to heavy casualties.

Since I knew about it this time around, I had to prepare.

The moment he saw me, Kay started talking. "Lia is too good. She's afraid you've misunderstood things between us, so she asked me to come explain."

After saying that, he pulled a moonstone ring from his pocket and shoved it into my hand. "This is for you."

I ignored them, keeping my focus on my work.

As I was marking the map, Lia reached out to touch my arm.

"Sister, there's really nothing between me and Kay," she said softly. "He only took me to the hunting grounds because I've never been hunting before. Please don't misunderstand. The Alpha was just trying to be kind to a poor omega like me. He went through so much trouble to find this moonstone for you. He still cares about you, you know."

After speaking, she pretended to look pitiful and reached out to touch my hand. Ink from her finger dripped onto the valuable defense map.

Annoyed, I shook off her hand, wanting her to stop messing up my markings.

In the struggle, I noticed the sapphire healing bracelet on her wrist—the Stormfang family heirloom and symbol of the Luna, possessing top-tier healing capabilities.

In my past life, I had risked my life three times to save Kay before the Stormfang Pack elders finally passed this bracelet down to me. And now it was so casually worn on Lia's wrist.

Kay noticed where my gaze had fallen and frowned.

"This is for Lia," he said firmly. "She's an Omega, her health is fragile. This stone is for her protection. Don't read too much into it."

I said nothing. Lia's eyes reddened again.

"Sister, Kay just worries about me..."

"I'm sorry, sister," she said with feigned regret. "If you don't want me to wear this bracelet, I'll take it off."

But while her words were apologetic, her body remained perfectly still.

Kay gently took her hand in his, shooting me a pointed glance.

"Don't be so hard on Lia."

I didn't respond, simply trying to move away to find a quiet spot to continue marking the defense map.

Sensing my cold demeanor, Kay should have realized something was wrong, but he confidently dismissed it as just another attention-seeking tactic.

He grabbed my arm as I tried to leave and pulled a moonstone ring from his pocket, pressing it into my hand.

"Enough with these games," he said sternly. "You're about to become my Luna—even if only in name—so you're making me look bad when you act like this."

I looked at him calmly. "So who's your true mate? Lia?"

My question struck a nerve, and his expression turned a mix of anger and pride.

"You'd better watch your mouth," he warned. "Lia's nothing like you. She's kind and pure-hearted, not like some tramp who'll go with anyone."

"If you dare cause trouble for her or try to expose this, you'll become a laughingstock for the entire pack at our binding ceremony!"

Hearing this, I almost laughed out loud.

He wanted me to be his mate to help him fully control Stormfang Pack, yet he couldn't let go of his feelings for Lia.

So he kept provoking and threatening me, trying to force me to accept this arrangement.

I ignored him and turned to leave.

As I did, Lia pretended to stop me and lunged forward. Her sharp nails instantly tore the scroll in my hand.

The defense map I had worked so hard to annotate was ruined.

Before I could say anything, Lia hid behind Kay with tearful eyes. "I'm sorry, sister... I didn't mean to..."

"You frightened her," Kay frowned, though not at Lia. "The map can be redrawn. Lia didn't do it on purpose," he said dismissively, holding her close.

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

In that moment, the truth became crystal clear: Kay didn't not see Lia's schemes—he simply didn't care. My sacrifices and frustrations meant nothing compared to a single tear from Lia.

Without another glance at the two of them, I turned and left.

A short while later, I received a provocative text from Lia. In the photo, the moonstone on her wrist glowed brilliantly in the dark.

I recognized that rare moonstone—the one that had been auctioned off for an astronomical price not long ago.

So the mysterious bidder had been Kay after all.

I remembered the ordinary moonstone Kay had given me earlier and took it out to examine it closely.

Sure enough, it was just a freebie the seller had thrown in when purchasing that rare piece.

Regardless of past or present lives, I have always been the one who was not valued.

In my previous life, though Kay and Lia's relationship existed, it was never so public. In front of pack members, Kay still maintained a respectful facade toward me as his Luna.

Now, however, they barely hid their affair at all.

No wonder that after just two or three days, the entire pack was whispering about them.

As I thought about my past life, my gaze turned cold.

After becoming Kay's mate, Stormfang Pack's power and wealth had grown rapidly, eventually elevating us to a position among the top five strongest packs in northern territories.

The elders were highly pleased with me, calling me the pack's guardian spirit.

Even though Kay remained cold toward me, their approval provided a false sense of warmth.

But when I actually witnessed Kay and Lia together in secret, and realized that every pack member—including those same elders who praised me—was helping cover it up for him...

All my illusions were shattered.

My father entered my room to inform me that Eli would soon be finishing his border patrol and returning to the pack's central zone.

My hands stilled. I gave no response.

He looked like he wad to say more, but ultimately just sighed and left.

I don't believe my father in my past life was completely unaware of Kay and Lia's relationship.

But he never warned me. Lia was my stepmother's daughter. After my biological mother passed away and my stepmother joined our family with Lia, my father stopped showing me affection. Everything I had was expected to be sacrificed for Lia's benefit.

Even becoming the Luna of Stormfang Pack made no difference.

The elders may have appreciated my capabilities, but they didn't care for me deeply.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have silently condoned Kay's behavior.

Only Eli was different from anyone else in the entire Stormfang Pack.

In my past life, he eventually left the pack, settling abroad and never choosing a mate.

My memories of him are few.

I just remember how he often extended a helping hand when I was in difficulty, and would even confront Kay directly, demanding he show me the respect I deserved.

So this time, I chose him.

I figured he had to be better than a complete stranger.

Honestly, I didn't have high hopes for this proposal.

As the pack's most brilliant strategist and team commander, I couldn't imagine he would accept such a sudden proposal to bind.

But things went more smoothly than I expected.

According to Pack elders Eli only paused for a moment before accepting the elders' arrangement to bind with me.

The next day, a sharp alarm howl shattered the peace. The southern border's defensive barrier had been forcefully torn open, and a fierce pack of rogue wolves surged into our territory like a black tide.

The chaos lasted for most of the night. When dawn arrived, it had driven away the darkness and the intruders, leaving only devastation. Several border watchtowers were destroyed, three Delta warriors were seriously injured, and the stockpile of moonstone energy had been completely plundered.

The atmosphere in the pack hall was heavy. The old Alpha sat at the head of the table, his face ashen. Kay stood in the center, reporting the situation.

"...we responded in time and repelled the intruders. But the rogues chose a precise breakthrough point. They bypassed all our regular patrol routes and directly attacked our weakest logistical supply line." Kay's voice was thick with suppressed anger. His gaze swept across the crowd before settling on me. "I believe our border defense deployment map was leaked."

My heart sank. That new defense plan I had stayed up all night revising, the one I was preparing to give Eli as a bonding gift...

"The defense deployment map has always been the responsibility of the Strategic Planning Division to update and secure," an elder said gravely. "Ella, I believe the latest revisions were led by you?"

All eyes in the hall turned to me. I stepped forward, about to explain about the stolen map, but timidly, Lia stepped out from behind Kay.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, as if terrified, her voice trembling. "I'm... I'm sorry... it might be my fault..." She sniffled, tears rolling down her cheeks. "A few days ago, I saw how hard Ella was working and wanted to help her organize her files... I might have accidentally mixed the discarded drafts with the official documents and threw them out... I didn't know they were so important... I really didn't mean to..."

She cried prettily, her body swaying as if about to collapse. Kay immediately supported her, his gaze turning to me with icy accusation.

"Discarded drafts?" Kay scoffed. "Lia, this isn't your fault. Someone lacks responsibility, leaving important documents carelessly, causing this kind of oversight." He turned to the old Alpha and the council of elders. "Father and elders, I believe Ella bears irreparable responsibility for this invasion! Her negligence caused the pack to suffer heavy losses!"

"That's not what happened!" I retorted immediately, my voice sharp with anger. "The complete defense plan was stolen from my tactical room! I have surveillance footage as proof!"

"Stolen?" Kay sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Ella, when you make a mistake, own it. Shifting blame to some imaginary 'thief' and even slandering an innocent omega like Lia—is this the responsibility you show as a future Luna?"

"I'm telling the truth!" I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm. "Kay, why are you afraid to let me present the evidence? Or do you know deep down who's lying, who secretly pulled all southern patrol forces away, leaving the border defenseless and giving the rogues their opportunity?!"

I stared hard at Kay. From the fragmented information I'd pieced together from the minds of the injured Delta warriors, just two hours before the rogue invasion, Kay had urgently redeployed most of the southern border patrols to the northern Misty Forest to search for Lia's lost pet dog.

Kay's expression changed instantly, his eyes flashing with panic, but it was quickly replaced by deeper anger. "Ella! Are you questioning my command decisions?! I had my reasons for moving the troops! This is about holding you accountable for your negligence that led to the map leak! Stop trying to change the subject!"

Lia cried even louder, clinging tightly to Kay's arm. "Kay, don't argue with me over this... it's all my fault. If I hadn't touched Ella's files, if my puppy hadn't gotten lost... none of this would have happened... wuwu..."

The old Alpha rubbed his temples, his face showing fatigue and impatience. "Enough! The invasion has happened. Our priority now is to recover our losses and strengthen our defenses, not to point fingers at each other!" He looked at Kay, then at me, and finally settled his gaze on Kay. "Kay, as the pack heir, you also handled this situation improperly."

Kay lowered his head. "Yes, Father. I accept my punishment." But he immediately looked up, pointing at me. "However, Ella's negligence must also be punished! Otherwise, it won't satisfy the pack! I suggest stripping her of her access to core tactical planning and sentencing her to the silver whip, as an example!"

The silver whip! That was a whip laced with silver threads, excruciatingly painful to wolves, like burning the soul. It would severely delay wound healing and could even leave permanent scars and energy damage. Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.

The old Alpha was silent for a moment before waving his hand. "Ella's supervision was lax. Punishment: twenty lashes of the silver whip. Kay's command was improper. Punishment: three days of confinement. This matter is closed!"

"Twenty? Too light!" Kay suddenly exclaimed, agitated. He stepped forward, his eyes fanatical and wild. "Her negligence almost led to our core territory being breached! At least a hundred lashes! And it must be done publicly! Let her remember this lesson! How can she ever bear the responsibility of Luna if that doesn't teach her a lesson!"

The hall fell silent. Everyone was stunned by Kay's brutality. Even several elders frowned deeply.

Looking at his son emotionally out of control , the old Alpha finally closed his eyes wearily. "...Very well. A lashes. To be carried out immediately."

My heart turned instantly ice-cold, as if immersed in the depths of a northern frost.

I watched Kay, watched his face contort with anger and some twisted possessiveness. He wasn't just punishing so-called "negligence." He was venting my "betrayal," using the cruelest method to remind me who was in control.

I didn't argue anymore. In the face of absolute power and prejudice, any words would be futile.

I was taken to a stone pillar in the center of the pack plaza. Rough ropes bound my wrists. Kay himself picked up the whip, gleaming with a cold silver light.

"Ella, this is what you deserve," he said in a low voice, his expression complicated, but with more of a morbid sense of satisfaction.

The first lash fell.

"Ugh—!" The searing pain shot through my entire body, every nerve feeling as if it were being burned by silver fire. My wolf form howled within me, desperate to break free.

The second, third...

The whip tore through my clothes, tearing my skin, leaving charred marks. I could smell the scent of burning flesh, feel the warm blood flowing down my back. I bit my lip tightly, not allowing myself to cry out, my nails digging into my palms until they bled.

Kay's whipping carried a vengeful ferocity. As he struck, he announced to the watching pack members, "All of you, look closely! This is the fate of those who are negligent and try to shift blame! Stormfang Pack doesn't need members like her!"

Lia stood not far away, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as if crying, but I could see a flash of satisfaction in her eyes.

Twenty lashes, thirty lashes... My consciousness began to fade, my vision blurred by sweat and blood. The pain became numb, replaced by a coldness that penetrated my bones.

Fifty lashes... sixty lashes...

I was back in my last life, the moment I was pushed toward the rogue wolves. The same helplessness, the same feeling of being abandoned.

Seventy lashes... eighty lashes...

The gazes of the surrounding pack members—sympathetic, fearful, indifferent—none of it mattered. No one spoke, no one tried to stop.

My father and stepmother stood at the back of the crowd, avoiding my eyes.

Ninety lashes... a hundred lashes...

When the final lash fell, I nearly collapsed, held up only by the ropes. My back was a mangled mess of flesh, the burning pain from the silver poisoning feeling like countless needles persistently stabbing.

Kay threw the whip down and walked over to me. His breathing was a bit ragged too. He looked at my miserable state, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his eyes before it was covered by ice. "Remember this lesson, Ella." He paused, then added, his voice for me alone to hear, "...As long as you come back to me, everything can still be made right."

He's threatening me. He can't let go of his beloved Lia, and at the same time, he can't let go of my bloodline and my ability. How selfish and greedy he is!

I didn't have the strength to answer, not even the energy to look at him.

The punishment wasn't over. Kay ordered the Gamma guards to bind me to the punishment pillar until nightfall. The noon sun beat down on my wounds, the silver poisoning acting more intensely under the sunlight, wave after wave of pain threatening to make me faint. Sweat trickled into my wounds, bringing a fresh round of agony.

After nightfall, the ropes were released, and I collapsed to the ground like a rag doll. No one came forward to help, no healer approached. Kay's orders were clear—let me face the consequences on my own.

The wounds from the silver whip were healing slowly. But I didn't have much time to wallow in pain.

Eli's official bonding ceremony was approaching, and according to pack tradition, I needed to prepare a gift that would symbolize my feelings for him.

A few days later, when I felt a thin scab had formed on my back and it had stopped bleeding easily, I decided to visit the tribal market.

The sunlight was a bit harsh as I moved slowly, careful not to aggravate the injuries on my back.

You always run into people you'd rather avoid. I had just stopped at a weapon stand when I heard a voice that made my back stiffen.

"Ella?"

Kay and Lia were not far away. Lia was already carrying several exquisite bags, clinging to Kay's arm. When she saw me, her face immediately took on that familiar, timid expression.

Kay released Lia and walked toward me, his brow habitually furrowed. "You still look pale. Still upset about what happened last time?"

He looked me over with a suffocating "generosity" in his tone. "I already said that if you recognize your mistakes and learn the grace and restraint a Luna should have, I can let what happened go."

I ignored him and instead focused on a finely crafted silver dagger on the stand.

The blade glittered coldly, with ancient Norse wolf runes carved into the hilt, symbolizing strength and protection.

This would be perfect for Eli.

"How much for this?" I asked, picking up the dagger.

Kay followed over and saw what was in my hand, a smug expression appearing on his face.

"...I thought you were spending these days reflecting in seclusion. It turns out you were secretly buying me a makeup gift?"

He reached out to take the dagger. "At least you still have some sense."

I quickly moved to the side, shielding the dagger with my body and avoiding his hand. "You're thinking too much. This isn't for you."

The smugness on Kay's face instantly froze, turning to anger. "Not for me? Then who is it for?" He lowered his voice, threatening.

"It's for Eli," I replied.

"That half-breed?"

"And if it is?" I said calmly, looking at him as I paid the vendor and carefully wrapped the dagger.

Kay's voice shot up suddenly, drawing the attention of several pack members nearby. "Ella! Do you have to sink so low, associating with that impure mongrel? What does he think he is? What makes him worthy of receiving a gift like this?"

His eyes were dark and menacing. "I'm warning you, stay away from him! Don't forget who you are!"

Lia promptly came closer, glancing at the simply wrapped gift box in my hand, the corner of her mouth curving into an almost imperceptible sneer. "Sister, is... this the gift you prepared? Isn't it... a bit too simple? Won't it seem disrespectful? The moonstone necklace Kay bought me was crafted by the best artisans," she boasted, touching the shimmering stone around her neck.

Hearing this, Kay's expression darkened further. He pulled Lia closer and said coldly to me, "Did you hear what Lia said? Even she understands these things! Stop making a fool of yourself! At the bonding ceremony, you'll stay put and not do anything outrageous!"

With that, he wrapped his arm around Lia and turned to leave.

I watched them go, feeling nothing. They would always live in the fantasy world they had created for themselves.

On the evening of the bonding ceremony, I arrived early at the banquet hall.

It was decorated with solemnity and splendor. A massive bonfire burned in the center, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and honey wine. Pack members in their finest attire gathered, their faces showing festive joy.

I chose a relatively quiet corner to wait for the ceremony to begin. I felt a little nervous, not because of Kay, but because of the impending meeting with Eli.

In my past life, I had had little interaction with him, and in this life, I didn't know what the future held.

However, this peace was soon broken.

Kay and Lia arrived.

They were wearing extremely formal attire, as if they were the main characters of the evening.

Kay had even put on the ceremonial shoulder insignia that only an heir would wear during important occasions.

Lia wore a pure white dress and that expensive moonstone necklace, clinging to Kay's side with a sweet smile, but her gaze swept across the hall as if declaring her sovereignty.

They walked straight toward me.

"Ella," Kay stopped in front of me, his tone condescending. "It seems you listened to me and didn't run off. Good. Stay that way."

I didn't speak.

Lia, holding a glass of deep red wine, approached me gracefully with a concerned expression on her face. "Sister, congratulations. You finally... got what you wanted, to stand by Kay's side."

She deliberately lowered her voice so only the three of us could hear. "But don't think that being Kay's nominal mate means anything. He always cares about me the most. You see," she swirled her wine glass, looking pointedly at my simple dress and minimal jewelry. "He gives me the best of everything. What about you?"

I didn't bother arguing with her. I picked up my wine glass, intending to move.

Just as I turned, Lia suddenly cried out in surprise, "Oh no!" Her body lurched backward, spilling the entire glass of red wine all over her own white dress, staining a large area with a conspicuous mark.

The commotion drew the attention of those around us.

Lia's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. She clung to Kay's arm, her voice choked but loud enough for nearby people to hear. "Kay! It's not Sister's fault! It was an accident... I shouldn't have worn this dress... Maybe seeing me upset was my fault... I don't deserve to come to your bonding ceremony..."

As she spoke, she looked at me with pleading eyes, as if I were the violent one.

Kay's expression instantly turned grim.

He stared at the conspicuous stain on Lia's dress, then at my expressionless face, and his anger ignited instantly.

"Ella!" he roared, grabbing my wrist with such force it was painful. "What are you doing now? Can't you just behave yourself for once? Do you have to ruin everything tonight?!"

"I didn't even touch her," I tried to pull away, but his grip was like a vise.

"How dare you deny it!" Kay's eyes were bloodshot, and the oppressive aura of an Alpha radiated from him, making some lower-ranking pack members uncomfortable. "Lia is already making excuses for you! How can you be so vicious without a single ounce of tolerance?!"

He yanked me toward him, pointing at the tearful Lia on the floor, his voice echoing through the entire banquet hall. "Now, apologize to Lia! Get on your knees and apologize for ruining her dress! Otherwise," he paused, his tone containing a decisive cruelty, "I announce in the name of the Stormfang Pack heir that tonight's bonding ceremony is canceled! You will forever lose your chance to be my mate!"

The entire banquet hall fell silent.

All eyes were on us, filled with shock, confusion, and not a little accusation.

My father and stepmother stood in the crowd. My father opened his mouth to say something but ultimately remained silent.

I looked at his face, twisted with anger and a desire for control, at the triumphant glint in Lia's eyes behind him, and felt a cold deadness inside my heart.

This was the person I had once been so infatuated with.

Just as I clenched my teeth and remained silent—

A low, calm voice, yet one that carried undeniable authority, came from the entrance of the banquet hall, instantly breaking the tense atmosphere. "My mate does not need to apologize to anyone or kneel before them."

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice.

Eli stood there.

It seemed he had just returned from a long journey, looking travel-worn.

He wore simple black leather battle attire, without any extra decorations, but he had a more commanding presence than the formally dressed Kay.

His tall figure stood erect, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted. Merely standing there, he was like an insurmountable mountain.

His deep gray eyes, like a frozen lake, calmly scanned the hall before finally settling on Kay's hand, which was still gripping my wrist.

He began to walk forward, the crowd parting automatically to create a path for him.

He stopped before us, his gaze calmly meeting Kay's. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone clearly. "Release her, Kay now."