Lila moved into my master bedroom.

I didn't move into her dark, north-facing room.

Instead, I found a guest room to stay in temporarily.

The servants, sensing the shift in power, gave me bedding that was cold and damp. It smelled of stale dust—torture for a werewolf's sensitive nose.

I slept in my clothes.

Just a few more days.

Just survive this, and it’s all over.

The next morning, I went downstairs.

In the side hall, the memorial altar dedicated to my mother was a mess.

My mother's photo had been thrown on the floor. The frame was shattered. The picture was covered in muddy paw prints.

The silver Moonflowers—flowers that meant the world to my mother—were scattered everywhere. Lila’s mixed-breed wolfhound was tearing at the petals.

Lila stood nearby, clapping her hands and cheering, her eyes shining with malice.

I stood there, feeling my wolf blood boil instantly, rushing to my head.

All reason, all patience, vanished. I felt my claws lengthen, my fangs itch.

I went feral. I grabbed a crystal candlestick and hurled it at the dog.

The dog yelped and ran away with its tail between its legs. Lila screamed. A shard from the candlestick scratched her arm.

"Ivy! What are you doing? How dare you!"

My father's voice boomed—the roar of a Beta Elder. Lila was already crying in his arms.

"Daddy, save me! Ivy's wolf is out of control, she's going to kill me..."

"Ivy, you've gone too far!"

"Are you blind? She destroyed my mother's altar! She ruined my mother's photo!"

I was shaking all over, tears streaming down my face. I felt aggrieved for my mother.

But my father just glanced at the mess on the floor and frowned. "That doesn't give you the right to attack someone! In this Pack, we have rules!"

"Marcus..."

"Ivy, your mother has been dead for a long time. Since when are dead people more important than the living? Besides, Lila is the one Caleb loves."

Lila spoke up, her face pale, releasing a submissive scent. "Daddy, my dog accidentally knocked it over. I wanted to apologize to Ivy, but she just released her pressure and attacked me before I could speak..."

She lifted her bleeding arm, looking at my father pitifully. "Daddy, maybe Mom and I should move out of the territory..."

"The beast doesn't know better, but do you lack sense too?"

My father glared at me. Suddenly, he raised his hand.

A heavy slap landed.

I forgot to dodge. Or rather, I didn't care enough to dodge.

Smack.

The crisp sound echoed in the hall.

He seemed stunned for a second.

But in the end, he said nothing. He turned and took Lila to the Pack Doctor.

I watched their backs. It took a long time before I felt the stinging pain on my face—shame that went deeper than flesh.

I covered my swollen cheek. Tears fell, but I laughed out loud in mockery.

I knew it. This Pack, this so-called Frostfang family, had no place for me anymore.

That afternoon, I accidentally overheard a call between my father and the Council.

"...Yes, although Lila isn't pureblood, her bond with Caleb might bring new genetic advantages. As for Ivy... her maternal line is noble, but our alliance with the Midnight Pack is crumbling. We need a new tie."

I leaned against the wall, digging my nails into my palms.

It wasn't just emotional betrayal. It was a calculated political trade. In their eyes, I was just a bargaining chip.

That night, I contacted the diplomat of the Northern Midnight Blood Pack through an encrypted channel.

"Tell Lucas Knight I accept his contract. But I have one condition: I want the Silver Moon Pack to pay for their betrayal."