Chapter 3

Near evening, we prepared to attend the evening celebration.

Moonclaw Pack was a very large pack with extensive territory.

The celebration was on the other side of the forest. Driving there would take a full half hour, so my father arranged vehicles for us.

Liam, Chloe, and I—three young people—rode in one car.

Throughout the journey, Liam, sitting in the middle, took meticulous care of Chloe.

He adjusted the air conditioning temperature, got a blanket, helped her get water and unscrewed the bottle cap.

I sat on the left, watching the two of them chat animatedly, silently turning to look at the scenery outside the window.

Halfway there, a torrential rain started pouring from the sky.

The road surface had poor lighting, and the car ahead turned on its high beams. James, who was driving, was blinded and couldn't dodge in time. He crashed straight into it.

The instant the danger occurred, Liam instinctively protected Chloe in his arms.

Bang—

The car window glass shattered and flew everywhere. I, sitting on the inside, was hit and covered in blood.

Intense pain spread throughout my body. I felt like my whole body was falling apart.

In my hazy consciousness, I saw the right car door open.

Liam anxiously carried Chloe out of the car.

It was as if he'd forgotten there was another person in the car. He paid no attention at all.

The healer who rushed over urgently suggested taking the more seriously injured person for treatment first. But between me lying in a pool of blood and Chloe, who was frightened and disoriented in his arms, Liam only hesitated for a few seconds before still choosing to take Chloe to the hospital first.

Watching that figure move farther and farther away, the focus in my eyes slowly dispersed. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

So this was the relationship between fated mates.

More important than my twenty-plus years of connection with him.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find someone who loved me, and the person I loved didn't love me at all.

My eyelids grew heavier and heavier. That continuous tormenting pain dissipated like mist.

My wolf anxiously called out to me in my mind.

But my eyes went dark and I completely lost consciousness.

I don't know how long it was before I heard noisy voices.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw my mother patting her chest, her voice full of worry and relief.

"Thank the Moon Goddess, Aria, you finally woke up. Luckily your wolf contacted me in time, so we could rush back to save you. Three of you were in one car. How come that girl only scraped her hand while you were hurt so badly?"

My father also breathed a sigh of relief and picked up a water glass for a drink.

"That's naturally because of Liam's protection. After all, they're fated mates. The pull of destiny can't be changed. Plus Chloe is strong too, which is good for the pack. I really hope she'll become a Luna like Eleanor in the future."

I listened quietly. When they finished talking, I spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Dad, Mom, I want to leave the pack."

Father froze for a moment, but he didn't get angry at my words.

Werewolves valued loyalty. My father was Alpha Benjamin's beta and had deep loyalty to the Alpha and the pack.

But at the same time, he also loved his daughter—me.

"Sweetheart, why? What happened?"

Tears immediately welled up in my eyes. I hugged my mother and told them everything about Liam and me.

After hearing everything, Father couldn't believe such things had happened.

"How could he do such a thing? We all know we must remain loyal to our mates... He dared to treat you like this! I'm going to find him..."

"No, Dad, don't go. I don't want others to know this happened."

Mom held me. "My daughter, how could you experience something like this?"

"Mom, I want to leave here."

I didn't want to make things difficult for them.

If it were an ordinary werewolf who had played with my feelings, my father would definitely beat them up.

But Liam was the Alpha's son, the next Alpha.

They couldn't betray the Alpha and the pack for me.

"Maybe if I leave here, I can find my fated mate and forget Liam."

I couldn't.

I was deceiving myself.

Even if I met my fated mate and was drawn to him by destiny, I could never forget Liam.

He and I grew up together. I'd admired him from a very young age.

"Baby, listen to me." Mother held me. "I won't abandon you. We can tell Alpha Benjamin you don't want to see Liam and have him transfer us to other positions..."

"No, Mom. As long as I'm still in the pack, I'll always see him. Liam is the next Alpha. We can't possibly never see him. Mom, let me leave alone."

"Aria." My father stood up. His eyes held sadness and determination. "If we leave, it doesn't necessarily mean betraying the pack. Liam found his fated mate. Soon he'll be crowned as the new Alpha with that woman as Luna. They'll appoint a new beta. At that time, my mission will be over. You remember, Alpha King once invited me to be a trainer at the kingdom's school... Alpha William will agree."

I hesitated for a while, then nodded in agreement.

Father and Mother went to discuss this matter with the Alpha and Luna.

The injuries on my body had mostly healed. Thanks to my wolf, she was always working hard to heal me.

I left the hospital just in time to catch the end of the celebration.

Surrounded by young werewolves, Liam was holding a large bouquet of roses and confessing to Chloe.

"Chloe, my fated mate, I've searched for you for many years. Are you willing to come to my side, become my mate, and belong only to me?"

After hearing Chloe say "I do," I smiled softly and turned to leave the celebration venue.

The moment I turned around, enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd of onlookers.

Hearing the sound, Liam turned his head and saw my lonely, solitary figure.

The smile on his face froze. An odd feeling arose in his heart.

This slight discomfort only lasted an instant before being quickly drowned by overwhelming joy.

He reached out his hand, openly and generously.

He pulled Chloe into his arms.