Chapter 3

3

As soon as I woke up, the Alpha King summoned me.

But when I reached the grand hall, the head steward stopped me.

"Alpha Caspian, the King wishes for you to listen from here."

Inside, I heard Seraphina's voice.

"Your Majesty, I have returned with one request. I ask that you grant the Northwest territory to my brother, Reid. He has a gentle soul and took care of me at the border for three years. I wouldn't be here without him."

I couldn't believe it. Even after I had explicitly told her no, she still had the audacity to ask the King for my land.

In my last life, after I gave Reid the land, he didn't show a shred of gratitude. He mocked me constantly while living off my resources.

I had already told my father two days ago: that land was mine, and I wouldn't give it up to anyone.

"That land belongs to Caspian," the Alpha King's voice boomed. "The whole pack knows it. Does Caspian know you are asking for this?"

Silence followed. Seraphina clearly didn't expect the King to ask that.

"He knows," she lied.

I stepped into the hall, my expression like ice.

"I do not agree."

I saw Reid was there too. Even while kneeling, they were leaning into each other.

Reid kept his head down, clutching Seraphina's sleeve like a frightened pup.

Seraphina patted his hand gently, her eyes shooting daggers at me as a warning.

I ignored her and looked straight at the Alpha King.

"Father, what is mine is mine. I will not step aside."

The King nodded and looked at Seraphina with a sigh.

"You know the tradition. A Prince receives land to build his own estate after marriage. If he gives it to a man with no merit, the whole world will laugh at him. Do not mention this again."

The King was firm. Seraphina looked at Reid, who remained silent but refused to move.

That seemed to embolden her.

She gripped Reid's hand tighter, their intimacy on full display.

My chest felt a dull ache.

In public, she had always refused to be close to me. If I even brushed against her, she would lecture me for hours about how a Luna must be a role model and shouldn't engage in "public displays of affection."

Now I saw the truth. It wasn't that she was reserved. She just didn't love me.

Seraphina's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Your Majesty, you said a Prince is given land after marriage. If I divorce Caspian, then he can just keep living in the palace, right?"

I froze, looking at her in disbelief. I caught Reid's smirk.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails drew blood.

I knew exactly what she was going to do. To save Reid, she was going to destroy my reputation.

She didn't hesitate for a second before the lie left her mouth.

"Caspian and I have never shared a bed. When he was captured during the war, he was... broken. He's had a shadow over him ever since. He hasn't touched me once since our wedding..."

"Enough!"

I screamed, my voice raw.

I looked at her, feeling like I had saved a snake only for it to bite me.

I was captured because I was covering her retreat! She had promised she would never leave me...

And now, the secret I wanted to take to my grave was being broadcasted to everyone, just for the sake of another man!

The pain in my chest was suffocating. For the first time, I felt true, deep hatred.

I turned my hollow gaze to the King.

"I agree to the divorce. But I am keeping my land."

Then I looked at Seraphina with pure disgust.

"Father, in exchange for the trouble, I will take my sister's place. I will go to Silverglade for the marriage pact."

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