Chapter 3

Her breathtaking figure stood illuminated against the firelight.

Sylvia took off her veil.

In that instant, a collective gasp swept through the entire gathering.

She was stunning.

Far too gorgeous for any ordinary wolf.

I froze where I stood.

It wasn't because I was mesmerized—I already knew how beautiful Sylvia had been.

I was stunned because she looked completely identical to how she looked five years ago, not aged a single day.

Sylvia... wasn't dead?

Then who the hell was the body I had watched get lowered into the permafrost five years ago?

"Sorry about that, Zara," Ethan's Beta, Chris, suddenly chuckled, stepping up beside him. "The truth is, I was the one who carved those pledges and messages posing as Ethan."

"What?!"

Chris flicked his tail with a smug grin. "You were obsessed with Ethan, and Ethan didn't want to hurt pack relations by rejecting you outright. He was afraid you'd go crazy and drag both our territories down with you. So we set up a private code, and he had me carve those replies instead."

"So that's what happened! Hahaha! Look at Zara, she looks completely dumbfounded!"

So... all these years, Ethan was enjoying the physical warmth of my bed in private, while having his lackey send empty promises to string me along in public?

Chris leaned in, lowering his growl to a whisper meant only for my ears:

"He was just playing around with you. Don't take it seriously—you were never going to break them apart. I carved that marriage proposal on purpose, just to help you realize your place."

Break them apart?

Ha. When did I ever want to break them apart?

The moment I learned Ethan had an unforgettable first love, I was ready to walk away for good.

He was the one who begged on his knees, swearing a blood oath that he would never see her again.

He was the one who treated me with endless devotion afterward.

That was the only reason I stayed until now.

Eyes burning, I looked directly at Ethan. "Were you lying to me this whole time?"

"Zara, he didn't lie to you," Sylvia chimed in gently. "Because Ethan's real soul-bond pledges have always been with me."

With a wave of her hand, another set of glowing inscriptions appeared on the stone wall.

Woven into the background was the silhouette of Ethan and Sylvia standing side by side.

My history with Ethan spanned five years.

Theirs spanned fifteen.

The wolves in the crowd went wild:

[Now that's what I'm talking about! When Ethan talks to Sylvia, he's cool and reserved, but overflowing with adoration.]

[He's not even that cold! Look, on the night of the full moon, Ethan was nuzzling her neck and practically purring~]

[I didn't even need a single breath to root for this couple!]

[Look at Zara! She's staring at the stone wall looking completely brain-dead, hahaha!]

[Serves her right! She chased our Alpha endlessly, and now she tried to frame him into looking like her desperate puppy. Maybe we should test her bloodline before letting her into inter-pack summits!]

[Seriously, keep delusional rogue wolves out of here!]

I truly stood there, completely frozen.

My eyes were locked onto the stone display.

April 11th, five years ago.

The exact date Sylvia died.

On that very night, right as the moon rose, Sylvia had carved a message to him:

[Are you there?]

Slowly, my gaze shifted from the stone wall to Sylvia's face.

She was gorgeous.

Impossibly gorgeous.

To a point that felt deeply unnatural... even sinister.

"Zara." She stepped closer to me, wearing a soft, sympathetic smile. "Thank you."

"For what?"

She leaned in, whispering in a voice only the two of us could hear:

"Thank you... for burying my remains."

"Ah!"

A sharp gasp escaped my throat, and I stumbled backward in sheer horror.

Sylvia immediately flashed a look of panic. She stumbled a few steps back as well, nearly losing her footing.

Thankfully for her, Ethan caught her securely against his chest.

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Zara, we were just standing here... why did you suddenly pull away and fall back?"