Chapter 3

3

On the night of the Summer Festival, I took Selene out to see the lights.

We ran into Elara and Caden near the town square.

Since we were all there, we decided to grab dinner together.

Caden looked great. He was wearing expensive Silver Peak silks and jewelry. He looked like he actually belonged in the Alpha line now.

Throughout the meal, they were overly affectionate, making loud, suggestive comments.

Selene and I just ignored them. We ate our food in peace while they put on their show.

After dinner, Caden whispered something to Elara. They both looked at me with nasty smiles.

Caden walked over to me while Elara pulled Selene aside.

Caden looked smug. "Brother, have you seen how Elara treats me? Father is even planning to make me a legitimate heir soon."

I didn't even look up. "Oh? Good for you."

"She said that once I give her a True Alpha son, the High King will declare our child the heir to the Silver Peak throne, too."

Caden sneered. "Being a prince of this pack is nothing compared to what I'll be."

I stayed calm. "Congratulations."

I wondered what his face would look like when he found out she was infertile.

My lack of reaction pissed him off. "You know, Silas... Elara hates your guts. I don't know what you did to her, but she thinks you're pathetic."

I rolled my eyes. "Why should I care? I'm not her husband."

"Even our younger brother has a kid on the way," Caden poked. "Maybe that sickly wife of yours is just as broken as she looks."

I smirked and fired back. "If you guys are trying so hard and still have nothing to show for it, maybe Elara is the one who's broken."

"How dare you!"

Caden snapped. It was clear I hit a nerve.

Werewolves are usually very fertile. The fact that they hadn't conceived yet was clearly eating at him, even if he was too scared of Elara to say it.

Caden was so used to being pampered by Elara that he forgot his place. He swung a fist at me.

I caught it and shoved him back. He tripped and fell onto the cobblestones with a cry.

Elara heard him and came running. She didn't ask questions; she just blasted me with her Silver Peak power.

Their lineage was strong for a reason. I was knocked back several feet.

A pair of arms caught me from behind. It was Selene.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

I nodded.

Elara started screaming. "Silas! You coward! How dare you lay a hand on him!"

"Are you blind? He swung first," I spat.

Caden played the victim, lying in Elara's arms. "Elara, it's not my fault. He was saying horrible things... he said you were barren. I just lost my temper."

Elara's face turned purple with rage. "You dared to curse me with infertility?"

That was her biggest fear. In our past life, she was mocked because of the weak pup we had. She lost her chance at the throne because of it.

I felt the hatred rising again. We were the victims in that life, not her.

She tried to crush me with her aura, making it hard to breathe.

But Selene stepped in front of me.

"Selene, move!" Elara barked.

Selene didn't move. She asked me what happened, and I told her the truth.

Selene turned back to her sister. Her voice was steady. "Elara, you protect your husband, and I protect mine. If you think Silas is lying, we can take this to our father and let him decide."

"You're choosing him over me?" Elara mocked.

She looked at me with pure disgust. "Don't say I didn't warn you. This man looks strong, but he's hollow inside. Expecting him to give you a child is a fairy tale. You'll regret this."

"One day, you'll come crawling to me for help."