Chapter 1

Three years after the Luna of the Crestwood Pack died, I went to the Ancestral Crypt to pay my respects. I searched the cold stone walls, but her name was nowhere to be found.

Fury burned in my chest as I stormed into the Alpha King's private study.

The Alpha King sighed, his eyes filled with a weary helplessness.

"Caspian, Seraphina is not buried there. Before she passed, she used her final battlefield merits to beg me for one thing―to stay out of the Royal Crypt."

"She told me that she and Reid had already wasted a lifetime being apart. She didn't want to miss him again on the path to the afterlife."

The Reid he spoke of was the man Seraphina had whispered about in her sleep every night for fifteen years... Her sweet, darling Reid.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Seraphina returned to the capital.

This time, I didn't cling to a dying flame. I agreed to sever our bond just as she wished and volunteered to go to the Silverglade Empire to marry their Princess.

In Silverglade, I would build a textile empire that would change the world, carving out a Golden Trade Route for the people.

1

I spent three days recovering in my private chambers, and even the Alpha King remembered to send me mountain ginseng to nourish my body.

Yet, Seraphina, who had just returned to the city, hadn't bothered to visit me once.

She had been at the border with her father's army for three years. I had been so excited for her return that I went to the city gates to welcome her personally.

But I was shoved to the ground by one of her subordinates. His apology was cold, dripping with a complete lack of respect.

Seraphina didn't care about my injury. Instead, she comforted Reid right in front of my face.

During the three days I was bedridden, she was a ghost.

"Alpha Caspian, the Luna has returned," a guard announced.

I waved him off, my eyes not leaving my book.

Seraphina's gaze swept over the messy scrolls on my desk and my casual, loose-fitting clothes. Her face twisted with displeasure.

"You are a Prince of this Pack. I've been gone for three years, and yet you've become so lazy. You aren't even managing the household affairs."

She didn't even glance at my ankle, which was wrapped in thick layers of gauze. She only knew how to criticize.

I looked at her briefly and turned another page of my novel.

"If you want to blame me, you should think about why I'm in this state to begin with," I said nonchalantly.

Her eyes finally dropped to my ankle. Realizing she was in the wrong, her harsh tone softened slightly.

"My soldier was clumsy the other day. I've already punished him. I'm sure he won't make that mistake again."

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by her attempt at a gentle tone.

A few days ago, she hadn't even spared a glance for me as I lay on the ground, unable to get up. She had walked straight toward Reid to joke around with him.

She picked up a bottle of ointment from the table, intending to apply it to my leg.

I pulled my leg away, refusing her touch. She froze.

"The pack healer will do it," I said coldly.

Normally, with her temper, she would have stormed out with a cold face.

But this time, she forced a smile.

"Right. I'm not very good with my hands. I wouldn't want to hurt you further."

"By the way, look at this. I bought this in the Western Territories. I thought it would look good on you."

She pulled a jade pendant from her sleeve and moved to tie it to my waist.

My fingers brushed the jade. It was a rare, warm piece of stone.

In my past life, I had begged her for a gift countless times. She had always brushed me off with excuses.

In this life, simply because I didn't interfere with her flirting with Reid, she decided to fulfill my old wish.

If this were my past life, I would have been over the moon. But now, she didn't stir a single emotion in my heart.

I took the pendant off and set it aside.

"Thank you for thinking of me, Seraphina. I have work to do. If there's nothing else, you should leave."

Seraphina didn't expect this reaction. Her eyes widened in shock, and then a flash of anger crossed them.

Her gaze seemed to say, I've lowered myself to visit you, don't be ungrateful.

But she suppressed her rage, trying to keep her voice soft.

"Caspian, I heard the Alpha King granted you a new territory in the Northwest. But that's Reid's hometown. Can you give that land to him?"

"The Alpha King loves you. If you go and ask him, I'm sure he will agree."

I looked at her with dull eyes. No wonder she was being so nice. She was here for her lover.

"I'm at the age where I need to establish my own estate. If I give away my territory, where am I supposed to go?"

I crossed my arms and looked at her mockingly.

She immediately lost her patience and glared at me.

"Don't be unreasonable! I only married you because I had to, and I've already failed Reid. He followed me to the capital and has no one to rely on."

"Even if you give him the land, the Alpha King won't let you suffer. As my husband, taking care of Reid is your duty. As a Prince, giving land to the people is only right."

She was willing to offend the Alpha King just to get benefits for a man with no status. No wonder they ended up in a grave together in the end.

I let out a dry laugh.

"Since you have such a logical argument, you should go ask the King yourself instead of bothering me."

Seeing that I wouldn't budge, she clenched her fists.

"A Prince with no heart or kindness... You'll get what's coming to you sooner or later!"

She slammed the door on her way out. The wind chimes on the eaves rattled, a sound that only made my headache worse.