Chapter 3

After returning to my quarters, I cleaned the wound on my palm with minimal care. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t understand—why had Kane become like this?

My head throbbed from thinking. I couldn’t sleep.

The next morning, I went early to the Academy to submit my application for Holy Moon Valley.

Mentor Elvira carefully reviewed the documents. Her silver-gray eyes softened as she looked up at me. “Iliya, you truly are the most suitable candidate.”

“But the New Moon speech is in three days. That’s your opportunity to establish authority as the future Luna. It wouldn’t hurt to leave after that. When do you plan to depart?”

I thought for a moment, then answered calmly, “Seven days from now.”

Seven days. That would be the day before my bond ceremony with Kane.

Elvira’s eyes widened slightly, but when she caught sight of the blood seeping through the bandage on my palm, her expression shifted into a sigh. She nodded, respecting my decision.

When I stepped out of the Academy, the sky was still bright.

I hesitated, then turned toward Kane’s private residence.

There were still some things that belonged to me. I needed to retrieve them before I left.

To my surprise, Kane was home.

He sat sprawled on the fur-covered sofa in the living room, his expression tense. Beside him was a black velvet gift box, the kind you’d find in a high-end boutique.

When he saw me, the crease between his brows eased slightly. He waved me over. “Come here.”

I didn’t move.

After a pause, Kane picked up the box himself and walked toward me. He opened it.

Inside was a brand-new necklace—a massive deep-blue gemstone hung from a silver chain, surrounded by a glittering halo of tiny diamonds. It was blindingly extravagant.

“Serena was wrong to break your necklace,” he said, offering me the box. “But the ceremony can’t be delayed. I had this made overnight by a master jeweler—‘Tear of the Deep Sea.’ It suits your future identity as Luna.”

I stared at the cold, ornate necklace in his hand. A sharp, invisible pain pricked at my heart.

Even now, he still thought what I cared about was “not having anything to wear.”

When I said nothing, Kane must have assumed I accepted his gesture of goodwill.

“And,” he continued, “Serena just returned to the Shadow Pack. She needs to establish some authority quickly. Your New Moon speech is nearly finished, right? Give her the draft. Let her deliver it this time.”

A jolt shot through me. I looked up sharply. “What did you just say?”

“Serena needs this opportunity to make a debut,” he replied, tone utterly matter-of-fact. “You’re her sister—and Luna. You’ll have plenty of chances to speak in the future. Let her take this one.”

“No.” My voice trembled. “I spent three months preparing that speech. Why should I give it to her?”

Kane’s face darkened. “Iliya, I’m not asking.”

“Don’t forget, the final decision on who speaks is mine. If you don’t agree, I can cancel the speech altogether. You know exactly what that would mean for a future Luna—being stripped of her first public address by her own Alpha. Imagine what the pack would say.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

He was becoming more and more of a stranger. Was this really the Kane I once knew?

He wanted to use my dignity to pave Serena’s path.

I thought of the past three months—staying up late poring over ancient texts, visiting each household to gather their needs, revising the speech draft again and again.

But I couldn’t refuse.

This speech wasn’t just about me. It represented the Shadow Pack. It carried my mother’s legacy.

I loosened my clenched fists. My voice was dry. “Fine.”

Kane gave a satisfied nod and turned to leave.

“Good. I knew you’d be sensible. Go prepare the materials. I’ll have Serena come pick them up tomorrow. Oh, and I probably won’t be home tonight—I need to help Serena suppress her bloodline.”

He tossed out those words without so much as a glance back, then walked out the door.