Chapter 2

"Elara's lost her mind!"

"She actually chose a cripple? A broken wolf who can't shift!"

"Frostveil Pack's reputation is ruined because of her! The Alpha's daughter, marrying a crippled Beta who can't shift!"

Piercing laughter erupted from all directions, each sound like a claw tearing away my last shred of dignity.

My mother, Eleanor, rushed down the aisle like a madwoman, gripping my arm tightly.

"Are you insane? Spiting Kael isn't worth ruining your entire life over a Beta?!"

On the altar, Kael wrapped an arm around Sera's waist, a sneering smile on his face as he watched the drama unfold.

"Tsk, I underestimated Elara. She's certainly got guts."

Sera let out a delicate chuckle, deliberately caressing her pregnant belly, her eyes brimming with provocation.

"Guts? I think she's gone mad. Elara, are you really going to spend your life with a broken wolf who can't even stand properly? He can't even protect you."

My heart felt like it was being ripped apart by wolf claws.

I thought tearing up the engagement would free me from my cage, but instead, it led to even more profound humiliation.

Just then, Killian stood up.

His right leg was weak, and he stumbled as he rose. Every step he took showed he was enduring immense pain.

Compared to the triumphant Kael on the altar, Killian was in the mud, Kael in the clouds.

I suddenly regretted it.

Impulse is a devil. Why did I choose a broken wolf who couldn't even walk normally?

Was I really going to marry him and be mocked by the entire North American wolf community for the rest of my life?

Killian stopped in front of me and pulled a ring from his pocket.

The band was polished from one of his own shed wolf claws, with only a small, dull moonstone embedded in it.

It couldn't even compare to a fraction of the diamond earrings Kael casually gave Sera.

The laughter from the crowd grew louder.

"Hahaha, even the wedding ring is pathetic!"

"Elara, are you truly willing? Following him, you'll even lose your inheritance rights to Frostveil Pack!"

My eyes almost welled up with tears.

I was Alpha Arthur's eldest daughter of Frostveil Pack, born at the top of the pack. When had I ever suffered such humiliation?

But the next second, Killian reached out and gently took my hand.

His hand was warm, steady, calloused from years of holding weapons, yet incredibly gentle.

"I do."

Two words, deep and firm, without a hint of hesitation.

Those two simple words instantly calmed my restless heart.

My throat tightened. "Are you sure? Right now, I'll only bring you endless trouble."

"I'm not afraid."

He looked into my eyes, not flinching.

The laughter from below turned into furious growls. Someone bared their fangs at Killian.

"Two failures, a perfect match!"

"A cripple with a madwoman, truly a match made in hell!"

Kael strode down from the altar, looking down at me with an air of condescension.

"Elara, don't be childish. Come back. The child in Sera's belly needs a father, and you need an Alpha who can protect you."

Listening to his words, a coldness spread through my heart.

Kael played with my feelings, got my sister pregnant, and this philandering man still had the nerve to say he'd protect me?

I looked at Killian. His leg might be broken, but his heart wasn't rotten.

"Yes, I will."

I extended my hand, and Killian slipped the smoothly polished wolf claw ring onto my ring finger.

The ring fit perfectly, as if it had been custom-made for me seven years ago.

The crowd erupted in an uproar, wolf howls echoing everywhere.