I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the two of them. “A good healer either comes from a family of healers or works tirelessly to master their craft. With Norah’s barely-there education and a quick ‘study abroad’ stint, she wouldn’t even qualify as a nurse in any pack’s medical center, let alone earn respect as a healer.”

“You!” Hugo snapped, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at me. “Gwendolyn, don’t act like you’re so far above everyone else. Just because our parents arranged a betrothal doesn’t mean I’ll ever love you. My heart belongs to someone like Norah—gentle, kind, and not obsessed with status like you.”

I sighed deeply, feeling the last remnants of the girl who had once admired him wither away. He wasn’t the boy I’d fallen for all those years ago. “Love whoever you want, Hugo. It’s not my concern anymore.” I just wished I’d never healed him in the first place.

Hugo let out a cold laugh, a smug look spreading across his face. “Stop pretending, Gwendolyn. You’ve been chasing me since the day we met, bending over backward to please me. You even fought your pack’s traditions to change the marking ceremony so I could mark you instead of you finding your mate through the usual process. Don’t tell me you don’t love me.”

So, he *did* know how much I’d loved him. I’d loved him enough to defy the elders, to change the South Pack’s traditions just so he could mark me as his Luna. But instead of gratitude, he’d used my love against me.

“Norah, don’t be afraid of her,” Hugo said, pulling her closer. “No matter what happens, I’ll never give up on you. You’ll always be the woman I love most.”

Norah nestled into his chest, her eyes welling up with tears as she spoke in a soft, trembling voice. “Hugo, it’s okay if I suffer a little. I just don’t want you and Gwendolyn to fight because of me…”

I finally couldn’t hold back another eye roll. As more pack members began filing down the narrow path, returning from a medical conference to report to the healer’s office, I decided I’d had enough of their melodrama and turned to leave.

But Hugo wasn’t finished. He grabbed my wrist, yanking me back toward him. “Gwendolyn, if you’re still determined to mark me, you’ll have to accept Norah as my second mate. Why should the Luna be the only one allowed multiple mates? If you want me to honor our betrothal, you’ll share me with Norah!”

His words hung in the air, arrogant and absurd. I pulled my wrist free, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. “Hugo, you’re delusional if you think I’d ever agree to that. Our betrothal is over. You’ve made your choice, and so have I.”

Without waiting for a response, I walked away, leaving him and Norah to their twisted little fantasy.

Hugo’s words felt like sharp slaps across my face, each one stinging more than the last.

As the Luna of the South Pack, I was accustomed to respect, yet here I stood, humiliated in front of these younger pack members who watched with thinly veiled amusement. I clenched my fists, forcing down the anger that simmered in my chest, and spoke coolly, “As you wish.”

To my disbelief, Hugo took my words as consent. He went straight to his grandfather, Ander Scott, the former Alpha of the Northern Pack, and knelt in the pack’s ancestral hall, pleading for his blessing to sever our betrothal. The news spread like wildfire. A grand proposal to Norah Franklin, complete with a lavish ceremony and public displays of affection, became the talk of the werewolf community.

Ander, furious and ashamed, took matters into his own hands. He disciplined Hugo harshly, the sound of his claws scraping against Hugo’s back echoing through the hall. Three lashes left deep marks that night, but Hugo’s defiance remained unshaken.

In a desperate attempt to make amends, Ander had Norah bound, threatening to cast her out into the wilderness—a punishment reserved for the most dishonorable rogues. I stepped in, shaking my head. “Let it go, Elder Scott.”

Hugo, bloodied and bruised, still shielded Norah with his body, refusing to let her suffer even a scratch. He glared at me, his voice a growl. “Gwendolyn, is this how far you’ll go to destroy Norah? Just because I refused to join your pack, you’d stoop to this?”

“If anything happens to her,” he snarled, “I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”

Norah, nestled in his arms, sobbed louder, her voice trembling. “Hugo, I’m so scared. I only love you—what’s wrong with that? Why does Luna Gwendolyn have to take that away from me? Is it because I’m just an Omega, and she’s a Luna?”

Her words nearly sent Ander into a rage-induced collapse. I quickly intervened, calming him with my presence, ensuring his heart didn’t give out. “Elder Scott, please, your health is more important. As for Hugo, if he’s truly set on this path, let him have it.”

Ander’s hand trembled as he pointed at Hugo. “On your knees, boy! Beg for Luna Gwendolyn’s forgiveness! If she refuses, you’re no longer a part of this pack—take that rogue and leave!”

“Enough,” I said softly, my voice firm yet resigned.

For Hugo, kneeling before me would be a humiliation worse than death. I reached into my bag and pulled out the betrothal contract, handing it to him. “I wish you happiness.”

Hugo stared at the document, confusion flickering in his eyes before it was quickly replaced by smugness. “Trying to play hard to get, are you? Gwendolyn, you’re obsessed with me—there’s no way you’d let me go so easily.”

I’d explained myself too many times already. This time, I simply smiled faintly. “Think what you want.”

His smirk deepened, as if he’d uncovered some grand scheme of mine. Supporting Norah, he struggled to his feet. “Gwendolyn, Norah’s carrying my pup. If you can stop this jealous nonsense, I’ll even let you have our child after we’re mated.”

I turned away, my heart heavy but my resolve unshaken. Let him believe what he wanted. My path was clear now, and Hugo was no longer part of it.

Watching the tenderness in Hugo's gaze as he stared at Norah’s stomach, I couldn’t help but think back to the cold indifference in his eyes when I had unexpectedly been pregnant in my past life. A bitter laugh escaped me.

When I was in labor, he had promised to stay by my side, to be the first to see our child. Back then, I had foolishly believed it was a sign that he was finally opening his heart to me. Little did I know, it was all a ruse. He had waited until I was at my weakest, drugged me, and thrown me into a pit of venomous snakes, leaving me to suffer a torturous death.

Now, seeing the unmistakable love in his eyes for Norah, I finally understood. A child should be born into a world of love, not deceit.

Hearing that Norah was carrying Hugo’s child, Ander Scott, the former Alpha of the Northern Pack, looked furious. He shot a sharp glance at the pack steward before turning to me with a forced smile. "Luna Gwendolyn, we’ve recently acquired some rare creatures. Allow me to show them to you."

As an Elder, Ander deserved my respect, so I nodded politely. "Thank you, Elder Ander."

Inside the cages were creatures I had only heard of in werewolf legends—human-faced birds. I had seen them once, twenty years ago, and never thought I’d see them again. These creatures were not supposed to exist in the modern world, let alone be captured by the Northern Pack. My brows furrowed, and my eyes instinctively darted to Hugo.

Hugo had his arm protectively around Norah as they circled the cage, marveling at the strange creature. Norah flinched when the bird flapped its wings, burying her face in Hugo’s chest.

"Silly girl," Hugo chuckled, his voice soft. "It’s just a caged animal. I’ll keep you safe."

Something felt off. I was about to leave and inform my mate, Enzo, when someone suddenly shouted, "Run! The bird’s broken free!"

The human-faced bird had already killed several pack warriors and was now charging toward us. I yelled, "Fire! It’s afraid of fire! Hugo, light something!"

Hugo fumbled for his lighter, but Norah clung to him, trembling. "No, Hugo, please! I’m terrified of fire!"

I was desperate. "Hugo, light it now, or we’re all dead!"

Finally, he managed to ignite the lighter, but Norah let out a cry and fainted. "Norah! Norah! Someone, help!" Hugo turned to me, his voice frantic. "Gwendolyn, you’re the greatest healer! You must have another way to stop this thing without fire!"

I was stunned. Without hesitation, I grabbed the lighter from his hand, lit a piece of my clothing, and waved it at the bird, keeping it at bay. "Hugo, stop hesitating and help me, or we’ll all die!"

Hugo hesitated, torn. Norah reached out, clutching his arm. "Hugo, don’t leave me. Stay here, protect me…"

He looked at me, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Gwendolyn, I’m sorry!"

Before I could react, he shoved me forward, using me as a shield between them and the charging creature.