Chapter 1

Caden was surrounded by she-wolves, yet he chose me as his soulmate.

The reason was simple: I was the most tolerant.

I could endure his closeness with Seraphina, the most favored among the pack, and would even humbly prepare their prey and tidy their den.

Everyone said Caden had tamed a mate who was utterly devoted to him.

But no one knew that I became Caden's mate because his Alpha essence was almost identical to that of his deceased twin brother, Ronan, my true soulmate.

In the seventh year of using Caden to soothe my empty soul, the ancient resurrection ritual finally succeeded, and it was time for me to leave.

However, I never expected that Caden would track me across several territories, transforming into his wolf form to beg at my feet for my return.

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1

Outside the Alpha's main den, I could hear the raucous wolf howls from within.

Pushing open the heavy stone door, I saw that Caden's inner circle was indeed all there, as expected.

Seeing me drag in the freshly captured snow hare, they immediately erupted into low, mocking growls.

"Alpha, this shadow of yours really does obey your every word! She actually went to prepare offerings for you and Seraphina!"

An hour ago, Caden had informed me through our mental link that he was bringing Seraphina back to the den, ordering me to prepare the finest herbs.

But I hadn't expected him to gather so many core members, waiting to witness my humiliation.

In the seven years since becoming his mate, such degradation had occurred countless times. I lowered my gaze out of habit, preparing to process the prey.

To my surprise, Caden stopped me with his irrefutable Alpha voice.

"Stella, I recall your soothing pheromones are quite unique. Seraphina's mind is a bit unstable. Go over there and calm her down."

Sometimes I would deliberately approach Caden and release my soothing pheromones.

Because when he exerted his Alpha dominance, if I closed my eyes, that scent most resembled Ronan's. I always couldn't help but greedily absorb it, savoring that momentary illusion. But he thought this was my method of submission, and now he wants me to use it on his favorite she-wolves, which is undoubtedly seen as degrading in the eyes of all the wolves.

All the wolves let out suppressed low growls, revealing looks of anticipation for the show.

Seeing that I stood motionless, Caden dangerously narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying the unique pressure of an Alpha, almost whispering against my ear,

"Disobeying?"

His hot breath brushed past the side of my neck, carrying a hint of primal aggression that made my skin tremble slightly.

I shook my head, my gaze falling on an ancient wolf fang badge worn at his waist, a relic of Ronan's,

"I will, but you have to give me this badge Ronan left behind."

As soon as the words fell, all the wolves started howling dramatically,

"She's gone mad! Has Stella become so obsessed with the Alpha to this extent? Even trying to snatch his brother's relic to smell his scent, how utterly cheap!"

Amidst the mockery, Caden's eyes gradually turned cold, the aura around him becoming violent, the powerful Alpha pressure almost suffocating me. He didn't speak, but I knew he had agreed, after all, this wasn't the first time. I approach Seraphina under the watchful eyes of the pack, releasing soothing pheromones and even "meekly" inquiring if she's comfortable.

"Stella is so pathetic! She's acting just like those low-class she-wolves vying for the Alpha's attention!"

"Yeah! I've never seen someone so shamelessly infatuated before. It's disgusting!"

"Can't be helped. Our Alpha only has eyes for Seraphina, so Stella has to resort to these tactics to get even a crumb of attention!"

The mockery continues, but Caden suddenly loses patience. He pushes me away with his mental force and growls,

"Stella, are you that desperate for my mark?"

His gaze is piercing, as if trying to see through my facade and uncover the secrets in the depths of my heart, tinged with a hint of amusement.

I nod submissively, but in my heart, I'm calling out Ronan's name.

"You promised to give me the badge."

Hearing this, Caden flies into a rage. He yanks off the wolf fang badge and hurls it at me with vicious force,

"Take it! And stop looking at me with those dead eyes!"

The badge strikes me hard on the temple. My vision instantly goes dark, and I fall backward. As I saw the stone basin filled with Ronan's cherished collection of moonstones about to be knocked over, I instinctively lunged to protect it.

Sharp stone fragments pierced deep into my palm.

At this, Caden's pack of loyal followers began to howl like they'd discovered some fascinating new prey,

"Oh Luna! Stella is truly rotten to the core! Even while being punished by the Alpha, she's still trying to protect his brother's worthless junk!"

Caden wrapped his arm around Seraphina's waist, preparing to leave. Before departing, he made a cold declaration,

"Even so, I will never truly mark you. Get that idea out of your head!"

After the pack dispersed, I picked up the blood-stained wolf fang emblem, carefully placing it in a box wrapped in animal hide.

Inside, it was filled with all sorts of sacred objects belonging to Ronan, each imbued with the pure essence of his soul.

These were all items I had "exchanged" from Caden's possession.

Our partnership had been a transaction from the very beginning. Caden appreciated my tolerance for Seraphina's "docility," while I was captivated by his Alpha aura, so reminiscent of Ronan's.

For seven years as mates, we maintained a facade of tranquility.

But lately, Caden has been acting strange. He seems increasingly dissatisfied with my compliance, his temper growing more volatile, and the way he looks at me carries a sort of... scrutiny and intense possessiveness.

I gingerly touched my bleeding temple as I reached out through our mental link to Lyra, the wolf tribe's witch who was assisting me with the resurrection ritual.

Lyra's aged voice trembled with excitement,

"Stella, the ritual is in its final stage. On the night of the full moon, Ronan's soul will return!"

As I severed the connection, my heart, dormant for seven long years, finally began to race once more.

"Ronan, you're finally coming back..."

"It's time for me to leave as well..."