Chapter 2

Eight years later at the joint pack banquet, Elias and I met again.

After treating several patients in succession, I was dizzy with exhaustion. Without freshening up, I went straight to the banquet venue.

In the crowd, Elias and Serena stood at the center with their fingers intertwined, receiving adoration from various werewolves.

"Alpha Elias, you're truly remarkable! Under your leadership these past years, Shadowclaw pack went from nearly being absorbed to firmly holding the northern territory. You're a legend among us werewolves!"

"Of course! I heard the Alphas from several surrounding packs are lining up to form alliances with him but can't even get appointments. The meeting gifts alone are in the hundreds of thousands, worth years of our tributes."

"Alpha Elias, I have some resources. For old times' sake, help me out?"

Someone asked with a laugh: "Alpha Elias, seeing how sweet you and Serena are, are you getting married soon?"

Serena's cheeks flushed as she looked up at Elias tenderly. Elias squeezed her hand, his smile confident: "That's right, February 25th."

Everyone offered congratulations.

A werewolf suddenly asked: "Alpha Elias, you and Aisling were so passionate back in the day. Are you still in contact? I remember when you played guitar and sang love songs for Aisling in front of everyone!"

Hearing my name, Elias's smile froze for a moment, his lips pressed tight.

But Serena gripped his hand tighter, her voice gentle and gracious: "Elias and I are about to get married. What do you think—has he moved on or not?"

Everyone laughed and continued flattering them.

But I remembered that the "love songs" the old acquaintance mentioned were what Elias had stayed up countless nights training to prepare when he confessed to me.

In my previous life, at my 19th birthday party, I discovered Elias was my mate.

And then I completely fell for him.

He once cupped my face, his eyes blazing: "Aisling, I'll marry you, mark you, make you the Luna of Shadowclaw pack!"

I believed him and devoted myself wholeheartedly to him.

Unfortunately, in my previous life, he deceived me.

I walked into the banquet hall with a composed expression. Sharp-eyed old acquaintances immediately noticed me.

"Aisling! You're finally here—you're late!"

"Hey, for such a formal occasion, why didn't you change into a proper dress? You just came in a casual shirt? Can't afford one?"

"Have you been living so poorly all these years? Do you need me to introduce you to a job?"

Several people who saw my simple clothing couldn't help but mock me.

From the moment I appeared, Elias's gaze locked onto me.

I nodded slightly at him as a greeting.

He froze, and those wolf eyes that once mesmerized me showed indiscernible emotions.

"Aisling, after all these years, you're still the same as before—no ambition."

Serena gently took Elias's arm, looked me over, and said softly: "Elias, she hasn't had it easy, but we shouldn't keep rubbing salt in her wounds. After all, we're old friends."

She changed her tone, "But wearing this to a banquet... is a bit casual. A woman over thirty should know to dress decently. I have a spare dress in my car. I'll give it to you to wear so you'll at least look presentable."

Her words drew a few low laughs.