Chapter 3

Katherine wept, her face streaked with tears. “Luna, Killian and I truly love each other. Caden and I have dissolved our bond; I am free now.”

Victoria snapped, “Caden’s body still hasn’t been recovered, and you’re already so eager to find your next partner?”

Their urgency was, of course, because they couldn’t wait any longer.

It wasn’t until after Katherine died in my previous life that I learned she was carrying Killian’s child.

That was why Killian had poisoned me so viciously.

They were in such a hurry because if they didn’t get married soon, Katherine’s pregnancy would be impossible to hide.

Killian shouted, “Mother, you only have eyes for my brother. Have you ever thought of me?”

“Back then, the Moon Goddess designated Katherine for my brother, and you wouldn’t let him refuse—even though he clearly didn’t love her.”

“Later, because of the concept of destined partners, you insisted I marry Aelara.”

“Now I’ve compromised, but I’m simply asking that Katherine stay by my side. Must you be so heartless?”

Hearing this, I raised an eyebrow and cut him off: “How can the status of a mistress be worthy of Katherine? She should be your partner.”

As soon as I finished speaking, a look of surprise and delight flashed across Killian’s face.

He tilted his head back and laughed aloud: “Elarra, you’re actually willing to give up the position of partner for Katherine?”

“Everyone says you’re smart and gentle, but I never expected you to be so magnanimous.”

My mother, who had been rushed out of the manor, hurriedly cut me off: “No, Elara, you mustn’t act on impulse. Your betrothal to the Greystone Clan isn’t something you can change with a single word.”

“Besides, if Killian were to do something like this before your marriage, your father and I would certainly not accept it so easily. You must not act recklessly; this concerns your entire future.”

Having said that, Mother turned to Killian: “Killian, you’ve forced Elara to accept Katherine staying by your side. Such disloyalty is truly despicable.”

“And now you’re using public opinion to pressure Elara into agreeing.”

I calmed my mother’s anger and stepped forward to look at Katherine. “Katherine, are you certain you want to become Killian’s mistress? To give up all the glory you shared with Caden?”

Katherine nodded. “Yes. I only want to be with Killian for the rest of my life.”

“I don’t care if he’s the heir, nor do I care if I can become the Luna of the Graystone Tribe. We simply love each other with all our hearts and want to be together.”

I looked at the two of them. “Caden’s body isn’t even cold yet. As his widow, can’t you even wait until his body is found?”

Katherine just covered her face and wept, not answering a word.

Killian frowned at me. “You need only agree to let Katherine stay. You needn’t concern yourself with anything else.”

“My brother is gone, but the living must go on. Is that not so?”

I tilted my chin up slightly, looking at them with contempt. “Killian, I never imagined you were such a despicable man. To marry his partner so soon after my brother’s death—how could someone like you possibly deserve to have me as your wife?”

“By the Moon Goddess, I, Elara, refuse to let Killian become my partner.”

“Now just go ahead and marry your Katherine—whether as a partner or a mistress. From this day forward, we have nothing to do with one another.”

My wolf, Laura, let out a triumphant howl deep within my heart.