Carlsen’s face suddenly changed expressions and he subconsciously protected Liana behind him. His eyes turned cold. “Katiya, what are you doing?”

I glared at him and Liana. “You better keep your mistress' mouth clean.”

Liana was aggrieved. “Was I wrong? If your mother hadn’t pretended to be sick, would he marry you?”

I turned to look at Carlsen. “Do you think so?”

He didn’t answer my question but I got his answer through his eyes. When my mother was diagnosed with gastric cancer, half a year ago, she wished for me to marry Carlsen as promised between Alpha Cain and her. She didn’t have much time left and Carlsen and I were a perfect candidate to be the next ruler of the pack. Also, we’re a couple that was fated even though it was chosen.

And maybe he thought that my mother was pretending just to force him to marry me. Carlsen likes obedient women so I changed myself to cater to his ego but when Liana came into the picture, everything changed. I even tried to imitate Liana once acting spoiled but then Carlsen embarrassed me by telling me that I wasn’t suitable to act like that.

Yes, I know I’m not but to please him, I would do anything. Even initiating to hold my hand, he won’t do it but with Liana, in a heartbeat he would do it immediately. I had nothing except the title of the next Luna but wasn’t loved.

I looked at him coldly. “Then, if that’s what you think, I suppose we don’t need to go through the wedding.”

I saw Liana’s eyes lit up. I smirked. Look at that bitch face, being Luna is a hard task, this simple minded person, I wonder how she will act.

I saw the frustration in Carlsen’s eyes. “Why are you being so stubborn, Katiya? Haven’t you pleaded with me for this marriage? I just want you to be more understanding.”

I looked at him disappointingly. “Understanding? This is far more than understanding, Carlsen. You didn’t turn up to our wedding! You soil your father’s reputation!”

Carlsen frowned and glared at me. “Didn’t I already explain? Liana hurted her hand that Is why I came to her.”

I smirked. “It’s not like she’s pregnant.”

Liana looked at me smug, challengingly. “And what if I am?”

My eyes widened, surprised at first and looked at Carlsen who turned to Liana with a stiffened expression on his face. My eyes darted to Liana’s lower abdomen. Is that the reason why he’s wary of her being hurt?

I raised my eyebrows. “Isn’t that the more reason that this marriage should not go through? Why are you stopping me, hm?”

Carlsen looked at me, panic stricken. “Ignore what she said. Just apologize to her, Katiya.”

I crossed my arms confidently. “Why would I?”

Carlsen’s eyes squinted as if his patience was growing thinner. “Just do it! You’re making me upset!”

Amidst of the chaos happening, a lot of people have already started to come and look at us. With some Betas who are loyal to Carlsen and some who are guests who have been staying in the main house that is associated with the pack. And there I noticed the Alpha who has been visiting the pack since we I’m young and now he’s the current Alpha of the pack, looking at us with curiosity and indifference.

Liana whined and hugged Carlsen’s arm. “Carlsen, my face is swollen! My face hurts.”

Carlsen darted his eyes towards me. “Katiya, what are you waiting for? Apologize!”

I sneered. “What if I don't?”

Carlsen suppressed his anger but any minute, I’m sure he would explode. “Katiya, Don’t make me angry and you will not like it.”

I was always afraid of Carlsen. Whenever he frowned, I would subconsciously give in and admit my mistake without even saying a word. But that was because I cared and loved him at that time. And now, I simply don’t care.

But Liana was not satisfied. “Carlsen, I don’t want her to apologize. She hit me so I want to pay her back.”

Hearing this, Carlsen glanced at me, trying to make me give in but I looked at him defiantly, never backing down. I know my wolf was the same. But I didn’t notice that someone’s gaze changed with intrigue and curiosity.

As to teach me a lesson,two of his beta followers came out and held me down. I pursed my lips when they forced me to kneel down. There were some gasps coming from the people around us but no one tried to stop them.

Carlsen crossed his arms arrogantly. “If you just apologize to her then this will not happen!”

I glared at him. “She deserved to be slapped for what she said about my mother, so why should I apologize for something she deserves!”

Liana seethed in anger and she slapped me across my face. “Deserve? I don’t deserve to be slapped by you, you bitch! What I said is true! Your mother is just as opportunistic as you!”

I sneered. “Isn’t that applied to you? You’re the one who seduced someone else’s boyfriend away.”

Liana laughed loudly. Then her face came near to me and whispered. “If you can’t keep your man, was that my fault?”

Well, It might be the case if it was before, but now she doesn’t pose any threat to me. I just want to slap her face more for saying that to my mom. And Carlsen is really stupid for falling for this kind of woman.

I rolled my eyes. “Haven’t I said that I want to break up? And I will not marry Carlsen anymore.”

Carlsen sneered. “What? Don’t you want to fulfill your mother’s dying wish?”

I detected a hint of contempt in his words. It doesn’t have any meaning to it anymore. My mother is dead. Liana smiled and walked towards Carlsen and hugged his arms. “I told you she was lying about her mother dying! How could she have such an attitude? You shouldn’t be fooled by her.”

She’s really infuriating. “Shut up! You don’t have any right to talk about my mother like that!”

Carlsen also lost his patience because of my continued disobedience. “I hope you won’t regret it.”

Before I even opened my mouth, someone opened their mouth and walked to us. “I would really suggest that you let go of the Lady before it turned ugly on you.”

Carlsen, looking at the new person murderously. “And who are you to stop me, huh?”

The person who came is no other than the new Alpha of the Moon Howler pack. His indifferent look and cold nature can freeze someone on the spot. Detecting that he’s a dangerous person to offend with.

He turned his head towards the Betas who were constricting me. “I said, let her go.”

The Betas let me go and retreated a few steps back. I saw Liana’s look on the Alpha. She was mesmerized. This Alpha was really handsome and could topple down Carlsen’s look with only his gray eye color.

Carlsen looked at those Betas angrily. “Why are you listening to him?”

The Alpha looked at him and smirked. “You’re going to marry this person?”

I stood up from kneeling and dusted myself. “Of course not. Why would I marry him? I would rather look for my fated mate than stay with him.”

Carlsen grit his teeth and pulled out his phone. He dialed someone. “Hello, Jim! Tell the Heavenly Weddings to cancel the wedding at once!”

The beta on the other line was confused. “But the wedding has already been canceled.”

Carlsen was dumbfounded. “It’s canceled? Then that’s fine! It’s more like it.” Carlsen looked at me triumphantly. “Then Cancel Mrs. Cartina Liams surgery.”

The Alpha looked at Carlsen coldly. “It seems you still haven’t heard what happened to Mrs. Liams since you’re entangled with your mistress. But let me inform you, your mother-in-law has already passed away.” The Alpha smirked. “By the way, since the wedding is off. Then I can steal this woman away.”

I was surprised when he put his arm on my waist. I blinked while I gaze at him and he showed me a toothy grin.

Carlsen’s shock was plain, his face turning a shade paler as he processed the news about my mother. “She… she passed?” he stammered, almost dazed.

I sighed, exhaustion settling over me. My hand went to my temples and massaged them. “Yes, Carlsen, she’s gone. She died on the day we were supposed to get married.” The words hurt even now, hitting harder than I’d expected. I felt the pain my heart went deep, yet I held my head high, I didn't want to show him the depth of my pain.

He took a hesitant step forward, reaching out as if he meant to comfort me. “Katiya… I didn’t know. If I’d known, I would’ve—”

But before he could get any closer, the Alpha stepped in between us, blocking his path with a cold, serious stare. “I believe you’ve lost any right to console her, Carlsen. Your involvement ended the moment you chose that woman.”

Carlsen’s forehead furrowed, shifting from confusion to fury. His gaze darted between the Alpha and me. His lips twisted with a bitterness I’d never seen before. “You think you can just walk in here and—”

But I interrupted him, my tone sharper than it had ever been with him. “Carlsen, you don’t get to act hurt or surprised. Would anyone tell you that my mother died when you were too busy with Liana.” I crossed my arms, standing bravely showing that I’m not afraid of him. “Besides, you have no right to be angry with anyone here. You’re with Liana now. So why are you so concerned with who’s interested in me?”

The look on his face was a strange mix of anger and wounded pride. His hand balled into a fist, and I could almost see the words struggling to form in his mind. He seemed ready to explode but had no direction for his frustration.

A firm but gentle hand settled on mine, and I looked up to see the Alpha. His expression was calm, his gray eyes clear as they met mine, giving me strength. In that moment, it felt like a silent promise that he wouldn’t let anything happen to me, not while he was around. Wordlessly, I took his hand..

“Let’s go,” I said and pulled him out the room.

Behind us, I heard Carlsen’s raised voice, though his words grew faint as we walked further away. My heart was pounding. This was it. I was leaving Carlsen, and it felt so real.

As we walked in silence, the cool evening air settled around us. I led the Alpha out past the entrance of the Main pack house, we stopped near a quiet stretch of woods where the moonlight pierced through the trees, illuminating our path. I turned to him, suddenly self-conscious. “I’m sorry about all that,” I said, my voice soft. “Carlsen… he’s not usually so—”

“There’s no need to apologize, Katiya.” He looked at me with a gentleness that surprised me. “It’s not your responsibility to answer for his actions.”

His voice was smooth and steady.. I felt the tension in my shoulders ease. As the initial adrenaline rush of the moment faded, curiosity replaced it. I realized I didn’t even know his name. “Thank you, but… I don’t believe I know who you are.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m Lyndon Hayton,” he replied, giving me a slight nod. “Alpha of the Moon Howler pack.”

The name struck something deep within me, a memory I hadn’t thought about in years. “Wait… Lyndon Hayton?” I echoed, a little disbelieving. “As in… the same Lyndon I used to play with when I was a kid?”

I noticed the sparkle in his eyes after I told him that I remember him and he chuckled, a sound so warm it eased the last remnants of tension within me. “You remember? I didn’t think you’d recognize me. It’s been a long time.”

I laughed softly, surprised by the flood of memories that rushed back. “I heard from Alpha Cain that there is a kid visiting the pack. And you were that kid back then, who’s the only person who played with me when Carlsen didn't want to play with me..”

His expression softened as he looked at me. “Though I’m surprised you remembered that time. You’ve grown up so much since then.” He paused, his gaze unwavering. “And judging by what I saw tonight, you’re far stronger than you realize.”

His words warmed me in a way I hadn’t expected. For so long, I’d been wrapped up in Carlsen’s world, striving to fit into his life, to meet his standards. But here was someone who saw me differently, who respected me.

“I didn’t expect you to defend me so fiercely,” I admitted. “Especially after all these years.”

Lyndon shrugged, though his gaze remained steady. “Why would I not defend you? Well, at first I don’t want to intrude between the two of you since it’s your relationship but….” He glanced back toward the Pack house. “You deserved better than how Carlsen treated you.”

We stood in silence for a moment, just taking in the calmness around us. I felt a deep sense of relief, though I’d finally broken free of the chains that had bound me to Carlsen and the weight of his expectations.

Finally, I turned to Lyndon, feeling a cautious but undeniable sense of hope. “What happens now?” I asked, my voice a little uncertain.

Lyndon’s expression softened, and he reached out, taking my hand once more. “What I said earlier, I’m serious about it. I’m going to steal you away.”

I looked at him in disbelief. “Why? So that you could help me anger Carlsen?” I asked with a teasing voice with a small smile.

Lyndon snorted and shrugged his shoulders. “Well… You could say that. But there is also a reason why I need to steal you away.”

My eyes narrowed. “And what is it?”

Lyndon smiled and held both of my hands. “I need a wife to stand with me,” he answered and added, “Will you please marry me, Katiya?”