Chapter 3

3.

Five years ago, I woke up in the woods with no memory. I was a stray, a nobody.

Silas found me and offered me a home. The catch was that I had to sign a mating contract and help him manage the pack's politics.

I did it because I owed him my life.

Over the years, I watched him bring in women who all shared my features.

I thought it was because he loved me so much he couldn't get enough of me. I was a fool.

Last New Year, Silas got drunk. He held me tight and whispered something that haunted me.

"Elara, don't waste your heart on me."

I thought he just didn't know how to love. But last year, I found a hidden room in the basement.

It was filled with old photos and paintings of a girl. She looked exactly like me, but more vibrant.

I wondered if I knew her. I started digging into Silas's past and found out about his childhood sweetheart.

Looking at how he treated Seraphina now, I knew she was the girl from the paintings.

A few days later, I was finally strong enough to get out of bed. I went to find Silas to discuss pack business.

As I reached his study, I heard Seraphina's playful voice.

"Silas, you have to teach me how to read every single day."

Silas was standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her as he guided her hand across the paper.

I once walked into this room without knocking, and he screamed at me in front of everyone.

But with her, he looked like a man possessed by love.

"I promise. I'll teach you everything," he whispered.

Seraphina looked up and saw me. She gave me a look of pure malice.

"Oh, is the Lunar Queen mad that I'm taking up all your time?"

Silas looked at me, his face turning into a mask of ice.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly.

I kept my voice steady. "I heard you're giving Seraphina an official title?"

Silas frowned. He seemed annoyed that I wasn't calling him by his pet name anymore.

"Yes. We were separated for years. I won't fail her again."

"I'm sending the other consorts away. I expect you two to get along as sisters."

I nodded slowly. "Understood."

I turned and walked away. Silas watched me go, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

He probably thought I was just throwing a tantrum. He thought things would go back to normal eventually.