Phoenix looked confused, so Damien began explaining.

His voice was smug. "Don't worry. Bella loves me to her bones. You don't know how she helped my pack through the full moon in our past life."

"She sang all night until her voice was completely hoarse. The next day when I returned victorious over the Snow Wolves, she came to congratulate me. Her voice sounded so disgusting."

"So I conveniently slit her throat, getting revenge for you too."

Phoenix burst out laughing. "Too bad I missed seeing her expression!"

I bit down hard on my tongue, my eyes stinging.

In my past life, I sang until my throat bled, feeling like thousands of needles pierced my vocal cords simultaneously.

Even in such agony, I was happy to have helped Damien.

I went joyfully to greet his victory, only to meet such an end.

Damien continued gloating. "So when Bella says she didn't choose me, it's complete lies."

"Yesterday's behavior was just jealous rage. She probably regretted it all night."

"When I need her, I just have to crook my finger and she'll come running like a dog."

"After I unite the wolf clans and she's no longer useful, I'll throw her to my pack as a reward, then triumphantly marry you."

Rage shot to the top of my head, making me dizzy with anger.

The person I'd loved for a lifetime, the first person I'd given my whole heart to.

He'd played me like a fool, then repaid kindness with murder. How laughable and pathetic.

In my distraction, I stepped on a dry branch that cracked loudly. Phoenix looked over.

Meeting my eyes through the bushes, her lips curved slightly.

My heart sank with dread, then she pointed at me and screamed.

"Ryan, there's an assassin! Save me!"

Damien immediately drew his blade and charged straight at me.

I froze in terror.

Werewolves were fierce fighters and incredibly fast. I couldn't dodge in time.

Seeing the sharp blade rushing toward me, I closed my eyes in despair, trembling uncontrollably.

But the next second, I heard the clash of metal on metal.

I opened my eyes to see vampire Caelan blocking the attack, protecting me.

Half the bushes were cut down, and Damien finally saw me behind them, looking somewhat stunned.

Phoenix ran over in panic. "Holy Maiden, how is it you? I saw someone lurking in the bushes and thought it was an assassin."

Caelan looked at me anxiously. "Holy Maiden, are you hurt?"

I shook my head, then he turned to angrily scold Damien. "Are you blind? You nearly injured the Holy Maiden."

Damien looked completely indifferent.

"She was skulking behind bushes with who knows what intentions. Getting hurt would teach her a lesson."

He raised an eyebrow at Caelan mockingly.

"What's your relationship with the Holy Maiden anyway? You're so eager to please her. Don't tell me you think she'll choose you?"

Damien laughed loudly. "Don't get your hopes up. Though I don't like Bella, she'll definitely choose me. The Shaman's almost here, so I'll go wait."

He left with his arm around Phoenix.

Caelan's eyes darkened, then he forced a smile for me. "Holy Maiden, shall we go too?"

Seeing him like this made my heart flutter, and I forgot to contradict Damien's arrogant assumptions.

I followed him to the altar.

The Shaman slowly ascended with his spirit staff, chanting incomprehensible prayers.

The crowd below began discussing.

"Who do you think the Holy Maiden will choose as her mate?"

"Isn't it obvious? Look how many gifts she sent to the wolf clan recently. Her feelings are clear."

"I agree it won't be the vampire. I've served the Holy Maiden before - she's terrified of the dark. She'd never marry a vampire and live without sunlight."

Hearing this, I noticed Caelan beside me instantly tense up, his breathing becoming shallow.

Meanwhile, Damien's eyes were full of smugness as he coughed and said, "I know the Holy Maiden favors me, but I already have a lover. I'm afraid I must refuse her feelings."

He looked at me with fake regret. "Bella, I told you yesterday to cancel the engagement, but you refused. Today I have no choice but to reject you publicly."

Instantly everyone fell silent, their gazes shifting between me and him.

Caelan angrily put his sword to Damien's throat, ignoring propriety. "Shut up! Don't say hurtful things to the Holy Maiden!"

Damien wasn't afraid at all, easily pushing the blade away.

"Be careful there. If you hurt me, the Holy Maiden will be heartbroken."

Caelan's eyes turned red with fury. Seeing my lack of reaction, he finally compromised and sheathed his sword.

He stood there dejected, like a kicked puppy.

Soon the Shaman finished praying and opened the decree, reading loudly.

"From this day forth, the siren clan and vampire clan are allied. May both clans..."