Chapter 2

I stayed silent for a long time.

I did not know whether Aiden understood how different this Moonshadow Ceremony was.

More than ten years of history between us.

I remembered everything that man had done for me. I did not want to give up without understanding why.

I wanted an answer.

Just one answer.

I said to my stepbrother, “Let me think about it. I’ll give you an answer before noon tomorrow.”

I wanted an answer.

Only an answer.

I gritted my teeth and ran all the way to Lila’s quarters.

The door was open. Inside, dim candlelight flickered.

Lila was pressed against Aiden’s chest, tears sliding down her cheeks.

Aiden looked at her with pity, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders, as though he were comforting a frightened young wolf.

“Aiden, I’m… I’m different from Sophia,” Lila choked out. “She’s so noble, and I’m nothing. No one chose me. I… I always feel like I’m worthless. I’m not as likable as all of you. No one ever notices me. I… I only have you.”

Her voice was weak, with a trembling hint of desperate flattery woven through it.

Aiden gently patted her back and said in a low voice, “You don’t need to apologize. You don’t have to say these things.”

Lila took the opportunity to lift her head. Her eyes were misty with tears, but there was a trace of slyness hidden in them.

Her lips touched Aiden’s.

It was a soft yet teasing kiss, like a test and a confirmation all at once.

But Aiden only froze for one second.

He did not push her away.

Lila’s voice filled with joy. “Aiden, you chose me. Does that mean you’re willing to bond with me too?”

Aiden frowned deeply, but he shook his head with certainty.

“My future Luna will only be Sophia.”

Lila sobbed, her tears falling onto his chest. “Aiden, I’m not asking for a title. But I know I must have a place in your heart, or you wouldn’t have chosen me. If you can’t give me the status of Luna, then could you… mark me first?”

Under the candlelight, my heart clenched.

I could faintly see the hesitation on Aiden’s face.

His hand was still around Lila’s back. His eyes were full of pity. He let her throw herself into his arms and kiss him, deeper and deeper, almost drawing him into desire.

I stood frozen in the darkness, my heart twisting like it had been cut apart.

But I still stubbornly waited for an answer.

At last, in the pitch-black night, I heard Aiden answer in a low voice.

“Okay.”

The next instant, his fangs flashed coldly and sank into Lila’s neck.

Blood seeped into the air, carrying the heavy scent of iron.

My heart hurt.

It hurt even more than when I had been ignored at the Moonshadow Ceremony.

So this man I had grown up with had fallen in love with someone else, yet still falsely promised me the title of Luna.

I tightened my grip on my phone, my fingers trembling.

I called Aiden, hoping the call would stop what they were doing.

But Aiden only froze for a moment.

Then he let the phone keep ringing and continued to complete the mark.

Only after he was done did he take out his phone.

When he saw that the call had been from me, a flash of guilt crossed his eyes.

But he did not call me back.

He only sent a message.

Sophia, it’s late tonight. I’ll come find you tomorrow.

Then I watched him enter Lila’s bedroom.

Soon, the two of them were tangled together.

My heart shattered completely.

I did not wait until noon tomorrow.

I immediately called my stepbrother back.

“I’ve decided. I’ll leave with you tomorrow.”

A cold wind swept past.

Moonlight poured through the forest like water.

My heart was completely cold.

But my decision had been made.

I would take control of my own fate.