The distant area suddenly lit up with torchlight, and I snapped back to reality.

*Oh no, the Alpha’s back. Sienna, stop talking now!*

*It’s all the antagonist’s fault for wasting time. Otherwise, the protagonist would’ve escaped smoothly.*

Helen and I turned simultaneously, spotting Roy Dixon approaching with an anxious expression.

He had sensed something was wrong and led his warriors back, searching in a grand procession.

Helen’s face darkened. She shot me a warning glance.

“Don’t follow me. If something happens, I can’t take responsibility,” she said flatly.

With that, she braced herself and vaulted over the high wall.

Roy spotted her from a distance, his brow furrowing as he sprinted toward us.

I stood at the base of the wall, inadvertently blocking his path.

He shoved me aside instinctively, reaching out to grab the edge of Helen’s cloak.

But Helen moved like the wind, slipping through his fingers effortlessly.

She was like a wild wolf, yearning for freedom.

*Hahaha, this is satisfying! Alpha, don’t worry. If you chase her now, she’ll calm down by tomorrow and come back obediently.*

*That rogue needs to suffer a bit to learn how to cherish our Sienna.*

Roy missed his target.

He gritted his teeth in frustration, turning to meet my gaze as I sat on the ground, having fallen from his push.

*The Alpha’s being a bit too much, right? Couldn’t he just ask her to move instead of shoving her?*

*Exactly. She’s still his officially mated wife. Shouldn’t he show some respect?*

*Hey, what are you guys on about? Shouldn’t we be focusing on Sienna? Why isn’t the Alpha chasing her yet?*

I was momentarily stunned until a sharp pain in my palm snapped me back to attention.

I looked down to see my hand scraped and bleeding, mixed with dirt and gravel.

Roy hesitated, his expression flickering with realization at what he’d just done.

He seemed unsure, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to reach out and help me up.

But before he could act, I pushed myself up using the wall for support.

Roy’s lips parted, but he said nothing in the end.

His mind was still on Helen, unwilling to waste any more time on me.

He only tossed a cold remark my way.

“No matter what, you shouldn’t have forced her to leave.”

With that, he hurried off with his warriors, chasing after Helen.

He came and went in a flash, not willing to linger for a moment longer.

As the comments had predicted, Roy returned to the pack house at dawn, bringing Helen with him.

He looked exhausted, yet his voice remained tender as he spoke softly to the woman beside him. Helen, however, seemed distracted, her eyes downcast as she murmured brief responses.

I greeted them at the entrance with the pack's attendants trailing behind me. Roy subtly shifted to shield Helen, as though expecting me to cause trouble.

The comments erupted in a frenzy.

【What’s the Omega planning? Is she going to make trouble for our precious Helen? The Alpha’s right here, how bold!】

【Lol, she’s going to get put in her place soon enough.】

Ignoring the screen, I turned my attention to Helen. She seemed lost in thought, her brow furrowed.

Roy’s voice was cold. "Helen’s been out all night. If you have anything to say, wait until she’s rested." His tone made it clear he’d been prepared to shut me down if I’d caused a scene.

But instead, I smiled gently and said, "You’re right, Alpha. Miss Knight must be exhausted after the night’s work. She should rest."

Both of them paused, glancing at me in surprise.

I stepped around Roy, taking the cloak from one of the attendants. Helen stood still, allowing me to drape it over her shoulders and secure the ties. I adjusted it carefully, then handed her the prepared ginger tea, watching as she sipped it. Only then did I instruct the attendants to take her to freshen up.

Roy’s expression was unreadable, his eyes lingering on me as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

The comments, too, fell silent for a moment before exploding again.

【What’s happening? Why is the Omega being so nice to Helen? Is this some kind of new strategy??】

【Am I the only one who finds this lowkey adorable? The Omega didn’t even look at the Alpha, and Helen just went along with it. Look at the Alpha’s face—he’s fuming!】

【Who swapped my tea for iced coffee?!】

Roy glanced at my empty hands, his displeasure evident. After a long pause, he bit out, "How considerate of you, Luna."

I smiled serenely. "Thank you, Alpha. It’s my duty."

He exhaled sharply, then turned on his heel and left.

The comments continued to spiral, speculating about my motives. I watched them quietly, amused.

I didn’t understand why they were so fixated on the idea of conflict between Helen and me. Why should I resent her or target her? She’d done nothing to harm me.

From the moment I’d been marked by Roy, I’d known he would take another mate. The Alpha’s mother had always disapproved of me, claiming my frailty made me unfit to bear heirs. Even if it hadn’t been Helen, there would have been someone else.

Besides, last night, it was I who had acted impulsively, pulling her aside and saying things I hadn’t fully thought through. Even if she had agreed, I wasn’t prepared to act on it.

My thoughts drifted back to the comments and the fate they’d predicted. I’d waited all night for Roy and Helen to return, just to see if their words would come true. From last night to now, every detail had aligned.

My unease only deepened. If I wanted to escape the path laid out for me, I would need to find another way.

Since Helen's escape, Roy Dixon had stopped mentioning the idea of taking a second mate.

The marking ceremony was also put on hold.

The next day, Roy surprised me by coming to my room.

He pushed the door open, carrying a small box in his hand.

"Josephine," he said, his voice calm but distant, "I brought you some pastries."

I glanced at the comments scrolling in my mind, momentarily distracted.

【Why is the Alpha visiting her?】

【Does he still have feelings for her?】

【I can’t believe he’s considering making Helen his Luna while still keeping Josephine around.】

【Why can’t he just commit to one mate? This is so frustrating.】

I was slightly taken aback. It seemed even the viewers were criticizing their so-called "Alpha," Roy.

Roy noticed my lack of response and frowned, calling my name again.

I snapped back to reality and paused before replying, "Thank you, Alpha. But I’ve already had lunch, so I’m afraid I can’t enjoy them now."

Roy hesitated, his hand pausing as he was about to open the box.

Since his return from the southern territories, he had rarely shared meals with me.

Every time I asked, he was always in Helen’s quarters.

He pursed his lips, his expression slightly awkward.

When he lingered instead of leaving, I guessed he had something more to say.

I sat down at the table and poured myself a cup of tea.

"Alpha, is there something else you wanted to discuss?" I asked softly.

Seeing that I had taken the initiative, Roy didn’t hold back.

"Next month is the pack’s winter hunt. Your health isn’t great, and the cold would be too much for you," he said, pausing before continuing, "I plan to take Helen with me."

I set my teacup down and looked at him. "In what capacity?"

"...As my guest," Roy avoided my gaze, his lips tightening. "She’s skilled in tracking and hunting. It’s only fitting that she goes in your place."

I lowered my eyes, saying nothing.

The comments began flooding in again.

【See? The Alpha’s heart is still with Helen.】

【He’s just using Josephine as an excuse to take Helen to the hunt.】

【I feel bad for her, thinking he actually cared about her.】

Ignoring the comments, I started to think.

It seemed Roy was deeply attached to Helen.

Even though she had refused to be his second mate and delayed the ceremony, the viewers suggested she would eventually become his Luna.

If I offered to end our mate bond now, perhaps I could avoid the fate of falling ill and dying in disgrace.

Roy misinterpreted my silence as reluctance.

His brow furrowed, and his tone grew stern. "Josephine, when we marked each other, I made it clear that we would live our lives separately. Now, I’m just taking Helen to a hunt, and you’re already acting like this..."

I cut him off. "When did I say I objected?"

Roy froze, his eyes meeting mine.

I smiled faintly. "Even if you were to make her your Luna, I would be fine with it."

"...You’re serious?" Roy’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise in them.

I met his gaze calmly. "I’m willing to reject our mate bond and step aside as your Luna."

"...Josephine, what are you saying?" Roy stared at me, his voice sharp. "You want to reject our mate bond?"