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."