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After She Left, Both Men Regretted It
NovelShort
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After being framed by her half-sister Liora Sterling, Narissa Sterling was thrown into the Moon Dungeon by her doting brother and the mate who had once vowed to guard her with his life, Drake Kingsley...
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第1章
After being framed by her half-sister Liora Sterling, Narissa Sterling was thrown into the Moon Dungeon by her doting brother and the mate who had once vowed to guard her with his life, Drake Kingsley.
In that cold, stone belly beneath the main fortress, among iron bars and silver chains, she endured seven moons of humiliation from guards and vicious she-wolves who believed every rumor whispered through the packs.
When she was finally released, she tried to explain herself again and again, but her brother Evan merely looked down at her with eyes as cold as winter frost.
“Liora is pure-hearted,” he said flatly. “How could she ever frame you?”
Her fiancé, Drake, only gave his judgment like an Alpha passing sentence.
“Narissa, no matter how much you’ve changed, I will still complete our bonding ceremony,” he said. “But Liora is innocent.”
And so they let Liora take her den, seize all her possessions, and even burn the last spirit-etched portrait of Narissa’s mother.
Heartbroken and disillusioned, Narissa made up her mind. When this was over, she would leave the Sterling Packlands and cross the distant ranges, never to look back.
Not long after she was gone from their sight, Drake and Evan would tear the territory apart searching for her like mad wolves, but by then it would be too late.
——
“Your sentence is complete. You may leave the Moon Dungeon now. With your bloodline, you would do well to live decently from now on and stop harming others.”
At the iron gate beneath the fortress, the warden escorted Narissa to the threshold, his expression carved from disappointment.
Narissa Sterling, eldest daughter of the prestigious Sterling bloodline, reared beneath banners and moon-silver chandeliers—reduced now to a prisoner in shackles. Rumor throughout the packs said she was cruel and venomous, that she had tried to drive her own blood sister to death.
What a waste, many said, of such a beautiful face.
Narissa stood on the damp stone steps, the chill night wind tugging at her thin cloak. A shadow of sorrow flashed through her clear eyes as she let the warden’s words wash over her and fall away.
A year ago, her father had returned from a journey to the outer clans with a girl at his side—Liora—who had been living beyond the borders. Only then did Narissa learn the truth:
The father who had always claimed to love her mother with unshakable devotion had, long ago, betrayed her.
He had taken another woman to his bed and sired a child.
That woman, Wilde, had finally been brought into the Sterling fortress and installed where Narissa’s mother should have stood. Wilde sat at Father’s left, accepted his affection openly, and her daughter Liora not only took everything that had once belonged to Narissa, but even falsely accused her of hiring rogues to have her killed.
Her father’s rage had been like thunder.
“Even if you cannot accept Liora, she is your sister,” he had roared, slamming his fist upon the council table. “She is Wilde’s only child! How could you treat her like this?”
But Narissa had done nothing.
Her answer had been drowned out by the crack of his fury. He had hurled a scrying crystal at her feet, the glow inside it pulsing harshly.
“See for yourself,” he had snarled. “The wolves you hired have already confessed, and still you refuse to admit it.”
Hands shaking, Narissa had picked up the crystal from the stone floor. Inside the swirling light, a man’s fear-twisted face appeared. He pointed at her, trembling.
“It wasn’t my idea,” he stammered. “Everything was done because Lady Narissa ordered it.”
Not only that—there were spirit-etched ledgers of moonstones, charts showing payments marked with her soul-seal. But Narissa had never touched those ledgers. She had intended to investigate, to find who had forged her mark, but before she could take even a step, her father had her dragged away to the Moon Dungeon.
She still remembered the look in his eyes as they shackled her wrists with silver.
“I’ve spoiled you for too many years,” he had said, gaze full of disgust. “Go in there and reflect on yourself.”
Now, thinking back, her heart felt as if invisible claws were raking it open.
Outside the dungeon, the night air parted and a group of wolves in cloaks were already waiting beneath the slope. The instant they saw her, they straightened, eyes gleaming with curiosity and sharpened malice.
“Lady Sterling,” one of them called, the scent of ink and parchment clinging to his clothes. These were the chroniclers and rumor-mongers of the pack, those who spread news between clans. “Word in the territories says you were eaten up by jealousy and tried to murder your own sister. Is that true?”
Narissa flinched back under the barrage of questions, her mind still fogged from months in darkness. She shook her head, voice rough.
“No. I didn’t do anything. It’s not true.”
Before she could draw another breath, the chroniclers surged closer.
“Lady Sterling, you say you did nothing, yet you were locked in the Moon Dungeon,” another pressed. “And now, upon your release, not a single member of your family has come to fetch you. What does that say?”
Her lips trembled, but she could not shape an answer fast enough.
“Your mother was a famed Moon-Stage dancer of the eastern courts,” a third said, voice dripping with false sympathy. “Are you not worried your actions will stain her legacy?”
Their words pierced Narissa like knives, each question finding some tender part of her and twisting deep. They crowded her, blocking out moonlight and air, their quills and memory stones pushed into her face. She tried to edge away, but their boots shifted, closing her in tighter.
Just when she felt suffocated, a strong hand seized her wrist and hauled her out of the circle.
Narissa stumbled and looked up, heart stuttering.
Drake Kingsley.
Her childhood friend. Her betrothed. The one who should have been her future Alpha.
Drake’s fair and striking features were as familiar as her own reflection, but now his eyes were frosted steel. He cast a cold, sweeping gaze over the chroniclers, his voice carrying the oppressive weight of a battle-hardened wolf.
“This matter has not ended,” he said, every syllable like a threat.
The chroniclers stirred, anger flashing—but they quickly fell silent as a line of black-clad enforcers stepped forward from behind Drake, their presence a wall of muscle and silver armor. Rough hands snatched the memory stones and rune slates from the chroniclers, who seethed with resentment but dared not protest.
This was the only heir of the Kingsley war-pack, whose influence in the outer territories had grown like a storm in recent months. No one wished to provoke him openly.
Drake did not spare them another glance. He dragged Narissa toward a waiting carriage, its frame reinforced with old iron and dark wood strengthened by wolfcraft.
Inside, silence pressed between them like another set of bars.
Narissa’s fingers curled into the rough fabric of her skirt. Today was the day she walked out of the Moon Dungeon. The only wolf who had come to meet her was Drake.
For a moment, the irony was sharper than her grief.
Drake tugged at the leather thong at his throat, loosening it slightly, then turned his face toward her. His expression was icy, his voice colder still.
“Were you just going to stand there and let them surround you?” he asked. “Or were you planning to cry and pretend to be wronged—say something to smear Liora again?”
Narissa’s heart clenched so hard she almost doubled over. His words hurt more than anything the chroniclers had said.
“I didn’t… I didn’t say anything,” she whispered. “I wasn’t trying to frame her.”
Drake’s lips curled in a humorless snort. He turned a small communication stone between his fingers, the runes on it faintly glowing.
“If I had come any later,” he said lazily, “who knows what you might have said.”
Narissa stared at him. The man beside her—this was the same Drake who once skipped lessons at the war-hall to sneak her out of the fortress, to watch fireflies in the valley. The same Drake who had held her in silence when her mother’s funeral pyre burned all night under the moon.
What had twisted him into this?
Before Liora had stepped into their lives, she and Drake had been bound so closely it hurt to be apart. They had grown up together, two pups forever under the same sky. In their youth, he would climb over the fortress wall just to take her to see the sea of clouds from the cliff. When grief hollowed her after her mother’s passing, he had been the one constant warmth.
After they came of age, their packs had celebrated their betrothal. Everyone said they were fated.
And then—Liora arrived.
Drake, who had always shielded her from every slight, “learned the truth” and, swayed by his father and the Sterling elders, chose to stand on the opposite side of the line.
“Liora is kind,” he had said then, eyes hard. “How could you do something so cruel to her?”
No matter how she tried to explain—how she presented every question and doubt—no one believed her. She had clung to Drake’s sleeve, begging him not to let them drag her away.
But he had stood beside Liora, his face as unreadable as stone.
“When you hired others to harm her,” he’d said, “did you think of the consequences? By law, it should be life for a life. You should be grateful it is only the Moon Dungeon, and only seven months. Compared to what Liora suffered, how is this unfair?”
Narissa’s eyes had stung then, but she had held his gaze, each word torn from her chest.
“I didn’t do it,” she had said. “By the Moon, I swear I didn’t.”
He had only frowned deeper, as if her denial was the most irritating thing about her.
Now, in the carriage, Drake’s jaw tightened. He flicked the reins, guiding the horses down the forest road.
“It seems,” he said, “that even after seven months, you still have not learned your lesson.”
A sharp unease stabbed through Narissa as she realized the path they took did not lead to the Sterling fortress. She swallowed, fingers digging into her palms.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
Drake’s expression did not soften, but something complicated flickered in his eyes.
“Today,” he said, “Liora is holding a feast to celebrate Lord Sterling’s name-day.”
At the mention of her father, Narissa’s pupils tightened. She pressed her lips together, saying nothing. The air inside the carriage grew heavy.
When Liora had first been brought into the pack, Narissa had not even known she was her father’s blood. She had treated the girl as a guest, offering her fine cloaks and moon-thread jewelry, sharing things she had treasured for years.
Yet Liora’s eyes always held a shadowed hostility when they met Narissa’s.
Later, when their father strode proudly into the hall and announced that Liora was his daughter, Liora had clung to his arm, chin lifted high, looking at Narissa with smug triumph.
Narissa had stood there, stunned and numb, until her father pulled her aside.
“Liora grew up without a father’s protection,” he had chided. “She’s suffered more than you can imagine. As her elder sister, you must be understanding.”
Narissa had always been uneasy around Liora, but after hearing those words, her heart had softened. She had tried—truly tried—to bridge the gulf between them.
But no matter how she reached out, Liora remained distant, almost hostile.
Seven months ago, that hidden hostility had finally taken form, sharp and deadly. Liora had been the one to kneel at Father’s feet, tears streaming, accusing Narissa of ordering wolves to push her off the cliff path. She had been the one to whisper into Father’s ear, urging him to send Narissa to the Moon Dungeon “just for a while.”
Narissa still remembered her father’s voice in the last messenger stone she received in her cell.
“This was only a lesson for you,” he had said, coldly. “You should be grateful that Liora is kind enough to forgive you.”
“She grew up wandering without a pack,” he went on. “You’ve had everything. I hope you can learn to get along with her.”
His words twisted the truth so thoroughly it was almost impressive. To him, Narissa was the one who refused peace. To him, Narissa was the problem.
In truth, once Narissa had understood Liora’s past, she had tried to let go of the resentment. She wanted to be a good sister.
But Liora had not wanted peace. She had framed Narissa for a blood crime and played the helpless victim so perfectly that even the pack’s elders were moved.
The Moon Dungeon had stripped Narissa of strength and hope. Now, all she desired was to leave this world of theirs behind—to cut the bond and vanish into some far-off land where no one knew her name.
Beside her, Drake must have felt the way her shoulders stiffened. He glanced at her, and there was a brief hesitation before he spoke.
“Liora has been waiting to see you,” he said, voice stiff. “Your father wishes the same. She truly wants to mend your bond. That’s why I hurried to fetch you… Besides, you were the one in the wrong. You—”
“I understand,” Narissa cut in quietly, not allowing him to finish.
Drake fell silent.
Narissa turned her face toward the carriage window. Outside, dark pines flowed past like shadows; above, the moon watched, cold and distant. Her fingers curled into fists in her lap as she forced herself to steady her breathing.
She had once believed that she and Drake shared a single heartbeat. That he knew her better than anyone.
But ever since Liora walked into their lives, everything had shifted. No matter how many times Narissa swore her innocence, Drake chose to believe Liora. He believed Narissa was capable of malice, of hiring strangers to spill blood.
There was nothing left to say.
Her father had cast her aside. Her fiancé had condemned her. The pack had branded her.
Her chest ached sharply, but she pressed the pain down, smoothing her expression until it was as calm as still water. Her lips curved in a faint, brittle smile.
It didn’t matter anymore.
After this feast—after Liora’s celebration beneath the Sterling banners—Narissa would disappear from their world.
For good.
第2章
It was her father’s name-day festival, the annual celebration held beneath the high banners of the Sterling Moon-Claw Clan.
Midway through their ride, as the carriage rumbled over the moonlit forest path, Narissa softly asked,
“May we stop for a moment? I… wish to offer a gift for my father.”
Drake’s expression remained carved from cold stone.
“There is no time. A gift is not what matters right now.”
With that, he flicked the reins, giving her no further chance to speak.
When they arrived before the carved stone steps of the Great Hall, Drake leapt down to tend the horses himself. He sent her a rune-etched message stone moments later, instructing her to enter alone.
Narissa stepped through the towering doors of the banquet hall, where silver wolf-flutes played slow, soothing melodies. Torches flickered against the stone walls, illuminating carved family crests and the moon sigil of the Sterling line.
But she barely made it two steps inside before Bella appeared—Bella, the daughter of a rival noble den, who had always been openly hostile toward her. Bella approached with several clan-born maidens behind her, forming a loose circle that trapped Narissa in place.
Bella pinched her nose with exaggerated disgust.
“Narissa, how shameful. Did the Sterling Clan run out of moon-silver? You dare come to the Alpha’s feast wearing nothing—no adornments, no clan jewelry? You disgrace all noble daughters.”
The maidens behind her broke into derisive giggles.
“She calls herself the first daughter of the Sterling line? She isn’t even fit to be compared to her sister.”
Bella sneered and leaned closer, voice dripping with venom.
“It’s truly funny. You’re the daughter of Astrid, the famed Moon-Dancer beloved by the entire territory. Yet look at you—you turned out worse than the daughter of a mistress. No wonder your father strayed.”
Narissa’s chest tightened painfully.
Her mother, Astrid, had been the most celebrated wolf-dancer of the southern courts, blessed with grace and adored by the packs. When Narissa’s father first met her, he had pursued her tirelessly until she agreed to become his mate.
Astrid had given up her entire career to bear Narissa and join the Sterling Clan.
But when Narissa was sixteen, her mother died in a tragic cliff-fall.
And later—when Narissa was framed—her father had been seen in intimate situations with several women. One of them turned out to be Wilde, Liora’s mother.
Narissa once asked him, voice trembling,
“Why are you doing this? Can you face Mother?”
His reply had been ice and poison.
“If I ever owed your mother anything, I should never have raised you. I should have let you die the night you were born. If not for you, how would she have perished?”
That sentence still sliced her heart open whenever she remembered it.
Her father blamed her for her mother’s death. Everyone did.
And Narissa carried the guilt silently, a wound that never healed.
To the world, she would endure anything—humiliation, hatred, exile.
But her mother was the one person she would never allow anyone to insult.
So even though she knew Bella meant to provoke her, Narissa could not stop herself.
Her palm cracked across Bella’s cheek in a sharp, echoing slap.
“Silence. I will not allow you to speak of my mother that way. And whether or not I remain a Sterling, I still hold a seat on the Council. You have no right to address me like this.”
Bella’s eyes instantly filled with tears of rage.
“You filthy half-beast—how dare you strike me! My father will not forgive this!”
Narissa’s gaze turned ice-cold, a dangerous smile lifting her lip.
“I will be waiting for him.”
At that moment, a gentle voice floated from behind—elegant and soft, yet poised like a dagger under silk.
“Narissa… what are you doing here?”
Narissa froze mid-breath.
Her pulse faltered.
Her throat tightened painfully.
Her eyes stung.
Slowly, she turned around.
And in the very moment her gaze landed on the newcomer, her blood ran cold, seizing her heart in a grip of ice.
第3章
The one who appeared was dressed in a moon-white ceremonial mantle, woven with silver threads that shimmered like frost. His features were carved with the noble sharpness of their bloodline, his eyes soft as drifting snow when they landed upon Narissa.
It was her elder brother—Evan Sterling, heir of the Moon-Claw Alpha line.
Behind him stood a group of pack youths, among them Liora, clad in a flowing white gown embroidered with star-petals. Her delicate posture and sweet, gentle expression made it easy to believe she was soft-hearted and pure.
But Narissa’s gaze drifted further—
to Drake, the male who had once vowed to be hers, now standing protectively beside Liora.
He leaned toward Liora, whispering something that made her lips curve in shy sweetness.
Narissa’s mind turned blank. Her breath caught in her throat.
Before she could speak, Bella—the she-wolf she had just slapped—rushed dramatically to Liora’s side, tears brimming.
“Liora, your sister is vicious!” Bella wailed.
“I merely asked why she wore no clan jewels to the Moon Feast, and she struck me! And she… she called me the daughter of a mistress. Does my mother’s blood make me deserving of violence?”
Narissa inhaled sharply.
She opened her mouth—
But Liora spoke first, eyes turning red with wounded innocence.
“Narissa… even if Bella spoke wrongly, you cannot hit people.”
Bella spoke wrongly?
Narissa’s nails dug into her palm.
She stepped forward and said coldly,
“If she had not insulted my mother, I would not have touched her.”
At Narissa’s words, Drake’s brows drew together, irritation flickering across his handsome features.
“Narissa,” he said, voice low with disapproval,
“Bella is Liora’s companion—and the daughter of the Thorne Elders. Even if she was at fault, you should not strike her before the entire clan.”
The hall was full of watching eyes—curious, condemning, whispering.
Narissa’s chest tightened as loneliness washed over her.
Just as she was about to respond, a shadow stepped before her.
Evan.
His expression was warm, smile gentle—yet it felt like a blade wrapped in silk.
He bowed his head slightly toward Bella.
“Narissa has been pampered since she was small. I apologize on her behalf.”
Narissa froze, disbelief sweeping through her.
Then anger.
“Evan,” she hissed, “I did nothing wrong. She spoke filth.”
Evan’s smile didn’t fade—but his eyes turned cold as winter stone.
Narissa’s breath hitched. She recognized that look.
Her brother was displeased.
But why?
He turned toward her, voice mild—yet every word cut like a dull blade.
“Narissa… it’s all the same.”
All the same.
Hurt or not hurt, right or wrong—it made no difference to him anymore?
Bella’s cheeks flushed, emboldened by Evan’s stance.
“For your sake, I’ll let this foul-mouthed woman go,” she said sweetly.
Then Liora stepped forward, her voice trembling like a helpless doe.
“I know you’ve always disliked me,” she whispered,
“and you despise my mother for being a mistress… but Narissa, we never chose how we were born.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“If I could choose, I would wish to be Father’s legitimate daughter, with a brother who loves me too.”
She choked, covering her face, and fled the hall in tears.
Drake instinctively moved to follow, but paused—
his dark gaze settling on Narissa instead.
Disappointment. Annoyance. Blame.
“Narissa,” he said sharply,
“Liora was overjoyed that you were allowed to leave confinement today. Yet you greet her like this. I’ve indulged you too much… that’s why you’ve become like this.”
Without waiting for her response, he turned and strode out after Liora, cloak billowing behind him.
A wave of whispers swept through the hall like rustling leaves.
Narissa felt her fury surge hot in her throat.
Liora’s mother was the one who had seduced her father—
yet Liora dared to play the victim, as if Narissa were the intruder in her own family.
She turned to Evan, her voice trembling.
“Evan… do you also believe I’m at fault?”
Evan sighed softly, rubbing the bridge of his nose, fatigue clouding his expression.
When he looked at her, it was with a familiar softness that hurt more than cruelty.
“Narissa,” he said gently,
“we were choosing a moon-gift for you earlier. That’s why we didn’t greet you sooner.”
The tone…
The dismissal…
It felt exactly like how he used to deal with she-wolves who tried to court him—
soft rejection, polite distance.
But now that same tone was directed
at her.
Narissa’s breath hitched.
Her brother had not always been like this.
Once, he had adored her.
When they were young, his favorite wolf carved toys were off-limits to everyone—yet if she so much as looked at one, he would place it in her hands.
When he went to the Northern Academy, he returned every month just to bring her small gifts and spend time with her.
And after the accident—
when their mother threw herself over Narissa to shield her—
Evan became almost obsessively protective.
He hired guards, trained personally with her, refused to leave her side for long.
But everything changed the day Liora and her mother walked into their den.
And now…
He stood before her, looking at her not with love—
but with disappointment.
Distance.
And a coldness that chilled her to her bones.
第4章
Narissa tugged at her stiff lips and slowly said, "I understand."
Evan's expression briefly turned cold, but he quickly regained his composure.
That moment was so brief that Narissa thought she had imagined it, but then, with a slight parting of his lips, Evan said, "Since you understand, don't do it again next time."
Narissa clenched her teeth, her expression tense. "What do you mean?"
Evan's expression turned cold as he retorted, "Do you really want me to be so blunt? You know that Bella is Liora's close friend, yet you still call Wilde a moon-stealer and say you're not targeting Liora?"
Hearing this, Narissa struggled to suppress her anger and finally understood what he meant. "But, she was the one who spoke ill of Mom first."
Thinking he would understand, she was instead met with disappointment in his eyes. "Drake was right, you’ve really been spoiled."
The words struck Narissa like a blow, leaving her stunned. Even though she knew Drake would side with Liora, she hadn’t expected her brother to do the same.
In disbelief, her heart sinking, she asked, "Bella said Father strayed because Mom wasn’t good enough. Don’t you feel angry when you hear that?"
Evan stared at his proud, headstrong younger sister and replied, each word deliberate, “At that time, Liora was just a newborn cub. How could she understand anything? Liora is right, though. Her birth wasn’t something she could choose. You don’t need to blame her for it."
Narissa didn't even know how she had been targeting Liora. At this moment, it felt like she was momentarily transported back to the time before she entered the moon-cells of the private dungeon.
When Liora was attacked, her father dragged her out of bed, accusing her of deliberately hiring rogue wolves to kill her, calling her malicious.
Although she hadn't done it at all, they said someone had identified her, making her meet with countless disdainful stares. At that time, all she wanted was to explain and uncover the truth.
Her brother had stepped in, looking at her with a cold, emotionless gaze and said, "Narissa, no matter what you’ve done, I will always stand by you. But you still need to face the consequences.”
He stood by her side because she was his blood-sister, not because he believed in her.
In order to punish her, they had been eager to send her to a private pack-prison, unwilling to even listen to her explanation.
Now, Evan looked at her with a calm gaze, but a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes as he said, "Narissa, you are my sister, so no matter what, I will stand by your side without question. But I don't want to see this kind of thing happen again."
Instantly, Narissa felt unfamiliar with the tall, familiar man in front of her.
That year, she broke down in tears at her mother's moon-funeral and her brother was only seventeen at the time. He tightly held her hand, his voice hoarse and restrained, "Narissa, stop crying. Even without Mom, there's still me, your brother. I'll protect you for the rest of your life and never let anyone hurt you."
Back then, he kept his promise. No matter what happened, he would always stand by her, protect her and believe in her.
But now, though he still stood by her side, his heart had already shifted. She understood that the brother who once promised to protect her for life no longer loved her.
第5章
The atmosphere at the banquet became tense and awkward. During the event, Elowen learned everything and he was so furious that his face trembled. "Wicked daughter, as soon as you come back, there’s nothing but trouble."
Upon hearing this, Narissa looked at him, feeling utterly disheartened.
Liora’s mother patted Elowen’s back and shot Narissa a disapproving look. "Narissa, today is your father’s moon-day. Not only did you forget to bring an offering, but now you’ve also upset him. Please, don't make him even angrier."
The words made Elowen even more furious. "Even Liora knows to bring a moon-gift. After all these seasons of raising you, I’ve only raised an ungrateful child."
Narissa had endured seven months of suffering, being bullied, insulted and subjected to inhumane treatment within the Moon-Call prison. And now, after finally returning, her father’s only concern was that she hadn’t brought a gift.
Narissa suppressed the searing pain in her chest and looked at her father with a bitter smile. "To you, it seems I’m less important than a gift."
Elowen’s face twisted with fury, his chest heaving with anger as he slapped her hard, sending her crashing to the floor of the Great Hall.
The pain on her face was unbearable, but her gaze remained stubborn as she looked at him. "Dad, if Mom was here, she would surely hate you."
Elowen was momentarily stunned, unable to speak, but Wilde smiled and spoke softly, "Narissa, you're overthinking. If Astrid knew, she would surely want your father to be happy."
Upon hearing these words, Elowen's expression softened. He nodded and muttered, "Wilde, you’re right. Astrid will understand me under the Moon.”
He then turned to Narissa. "Narissa, stop embarrassing yourself. If your mom saw you like this, she'd be furious."
With that, they turned and left, leaving Narissa standing there, her heart filled with disbelief.
Narissa was subjected to countless strange stares, but she remained silent, never responding to the gossip.
It wasn't until Drake came looking for her, a person who had rarely reached out to her recently.
Her heart, numb from everything, was momentarily stunned. Just as she processed the situation, she heard him say, "Narissa, you've made Liora cry. Come with me and apologize to her."
It turned out that he approached her because of Liora. Even though Narissa had become accustomed to everyone focusing on Liora, a sharp sting of pain still flickered in her chest.
Drake reached out to grab her, but she quickly pulled away, leaving him momentarily stunned. "Narissa, you’re the one at fault here. Liora has been running around preparing for the feast ever since you left. This was your responsibility, don’t you know how exhausted she is? Yet now, you…"
He stopped abruptly, unable to continue, as he noticed the tears streaming down her face.
For a moment, his mind recalled how long it had been since she cried. It was ever since her mother passed into the stars. The sight of her tears left him frozen, a sharp pain shooting through his heart.
Narissa's eyes reddened with anger, her whole body trembling as she asked him, word by word, "Drake, would you apologize to someone who insults your mother?"
He didn't answer and Narissa repeated firmly, "I won't apologize, not even to Liora. She doesn't deserve it."
Drake's face darkened completely and even the last trace of pity in his eyes disappeared. "When did you become so unable to distinguish right from wrong? You need to understand that it was Bella who spoke those words, not Liora. Can't you be more rational?"
Narissa slowly raised her eyes, locking onto his gaze, determined not to miss any hint of emotion in his expression. Her voice was calm yet steady as she asked, “Drake, did you do all of this on purpose?”
Had he deliberately stopped her from collecting an offering? Had he intentionally sent her to the front of the Hall, forcing her to face a crowd of pack-wolves who supported Bella?
Bella had always been her nemesis, constantly making trouble for her. Most of the wolves invited by Liora were ones she didn’t get along with and he must have known that.
She still couldn’t bring herself to believe Drake was capable of doing such a thing. But when she saw the brief flicker of panic in Drake’s eyes, a wave of disappointment and bitterness filled her heart.
Drake quickly regained his composure, but when he looked at Narissa, whose face had turned pale, he felt somewhat a twinge of guilt and unease. He lowered his voice, attempting to explain, “The incident where you almost caused Liora’s death needs to be addressed. That’s why I made sure word spread that you were released from the Moon-Call prison. But don’t worry, once this is over, our bonding-promise will remain standing.”
Tears had dried from Narissa’s face, yet the pain in her chest felt like a dagger being driven deeper. She suppressed it as much as she could, but the more she tried, the more broken she became. “How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me? I didn’t do it. It was Liora who framed me on purpose! But none of you, not a single one, has ever stood by me or been willing to believe me.”
Her voice trembled as she let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and full of despair. If he had ever wanted to believe her, he would have done so already. But he never did.
A faint, mocking smile crossed her lips as she forced herself to speak the words, her heart completely numb. “Drake, I’ll call off the bonding-promise. You can mate with Liora instead!”
Drake froze for a moment before his anger flared. “Can you stop acting on impulse? We’ve been together for so many years. Do you think this is something you can just end so easily?”
Narissa took a deep breath, her voice calm yet resolute. “I’m not acting on impulse, Drake. I’m simply giving you what you’ve always wanted.”
“I only see Liora as a sister…”
Just as Drake was about to explain, a messenger wolf rushed in, bowing his head. Narissa caught the glimpse of the carved bone-token in his claws — the symbol Liora used to summon Drake.
Without hesitation, he walked away, heading toward Liora, who stood in the distance, smiling and waving at him.
Narissa’s heart grew colder. She lowered her eyes, took a deep breath and left the feast without looking back.
第6章
When Narissa returned home, she discovered that her old den-chamber was now filled with Liora’s belongings.
The den-servitor, Lily, approached her and said, “Miss, this chamber now belongs to Miss Liora.”
Lily’s gaze held a hint of pity as she looked at Narissa. Narissa stood frozen outside the doorway for a long moment before she finally spoke, her voice hoarse and trembling, “Then… where are my things?”
A minute later, Lily led her to a guest chamber covered in dust, her expression somewhat awkward.
"Miss, since you left, this room has been used to store your things. I'll clean it up right away."
Narissa pressed her lips together and said nothing. She spent more than half an hour searching through the guest chamber but found that the only carving-stone image she had with her mother was missing.
After her mother's death, her father refused to let anyone speak her name. He tore down all her mother's woven portraits, had all the memory-paintings of her burned, saying he didn't want to see them because they reminded him of sorrow.
At that time, she had secretly hidden a carved-stone frame with the only remaining likeness of her and her mother. She had kept it carefully in a wooden chest.
Remembering this, she hurried to her old chamber, only to find a memory-frame placed at the bedside. The carving was unmistakably the one of her and her mother.
With great care, she picked it up. The carving was perfectly preserved, showing her mother holding her with a gentle smile. Unable to hold back her tears any longer, they began to fall. However, through her tears, she noticed something familiar; a moon-forged hairpin.
It was the one her brother had specially crafted for her, along with the crescent necklace her mother had given her and the silver earrings Drake had once gifted her during the Spring Hunt.
These things, which she had carefully kept and never dared to wear, were now taken by Liora.
Unable to control her emotions any longer, Narissa trembled as she reached out to grab what was rightfully hers.
Behind her, a surprised voice called out, “Narissa, what are you doing in my chamber?”
Narissa clenched the items tightly in her hand. She shut her eyes, wiped away her tears and then, without hesitation, turned around and slapped her across the face.
Liora screamed as she was knocked to the ground and Drake rushed over in a panic, quickly helping her up. His face was filled with anger as he looked at Narissa, “Narissa, are you out of your mind? She’s your sister!”
Seeing the tears on Liora’s face, he became flustered and hastily called for a healer to bring cooling ice-leaves.
Normally, Narissa would have restrained herself, but now she was completely enraged, losing all sense of control. “Sister? She’s just the illegitimate cub of my father’s betrayal with another she-wolf.”
With a sharp slap, Narissa was sent crashing to the ground, her arm scraping against the rough stone-floor and bleeding.
With eyes burning with anger, she cupped her face, slowly lifting her head, only to meet Evan's cold gaze from above, looking at her as though she were something filthy.
Drake and Evan positioned themselves on either side of Liora, their postures protective. With a cold sneer, Drake uttered, “You’ve gone too far. The only reason you’re out of that Moon-Call prison so quickly is because of Liora.”
The words “Moon-Call prison” struck Narissa like a blow to the chest, instantly bringing back the horrors of her nightmare. But witnessing this scene only deepened the wound in her heart.
It felt as though someone had taken a knife and sliced through her chest repeatedly, the pain so intense that she could barely catch her breath.
Evan acted as if nothing had happened, casually reaching out to help her up while gently asking, "Does your face hurt?"
How could he speak to her like that when he had been the one who slapped her?
Narissa's eyes flashed with anger as she wrenched herself free from his touch and stood on her own. She gripped the items tightly in her hand, feeling an intense fear of losing them, as if she couldn’t hold on to what was rightfully hers.
With a fierce, trembling voice, she confronted Liora, who stood behind Drake. “These are my stuff. How dare you take them without my permission?”
Liora's face softened with a hint of guilt, her voice laced with feigned innocence. “I'm sorry, I just thought the necklaces were so pretty. Drake and Evan gave them to me. I didn't mean to take something that was yours.”
Upon hearing these words, Narissa's eyes trembled and her heart tightened with a sense of helplessness. She slowly turned her gaze toward them. “Is that so?”
Drake and Evan were immediately taken aback, as the once bright and smiling eyes of Narissa had now lost all their light.
For some reason, both of them felt a sense of unease. Evan suppressed his anxiety and coldly declared, “Liora just arrived and doesn’t have any moon-jewels. If you like something, I’ll craft new ones for you.”
Drake hurriedly stepped forward and reached out to grab Narissa, but he was met with the shock of how cold her hand was. His voice softened in an attempt to explain, “Narissa, it’s not a big deal. If you like something, I’ll commission a new set for you.”
Narissa remained silent, her gaze fixed on the gifts they once gave her. Back then, they spared no effort, spending moons choosing the perfect surprises for her.
But now everything had changed. Their hearts had changed and these gifts seemed to lose their meaning.
She forced a small, bitter smile and without warning, released her grip. The delicate jewelry fell to the ground and the sound of it crashing against the stone-floor made everyone in the room change their expression.
Narissa's cold gaze turned to Liora, who was visibly uncomfortable. Her voice was light but cutting as she spoke, “Liora, weren't you always the one who liked to steal other people's things? If you want them, they're yours.”
She didn’t want anything anymore, neither the people nor the things. She wanted it all gone.
Liora's expression froze, a flash of malice flickering in her eyes. Without warning, she shoved Narissa to the ground and then bent down to pick up the fallen items.
第7章
With a loud thud, Narissa’s body was forcefully knocked to the ground, causing the frame holding her mother’s moon-carved likeness to fall from her arms.
In the next moment, the frame shattered upon impact against the stone floor, scattering fragments of carved crystal across the den. Her and her mother’s image was left torn and scarred.
Tears welled up and streamed down her face. Her breath slowed as she stared at the broken carving, frozen in place. Desperately, she reached out, trembling, attempting to pick up the likeness from the broken shards. But before she could, Drake suddenly held her tightly, stopping her from moving.
His heart clenched as he saw her on the verge of breaking. He grabbed her trembling hand and pressed gentle kisses to her forehead, his voice shaky with concern, “Narissa, please don’t cry. It’s dangerous to touch the crystal, I promise you, the likeness will be fine.”
Narissa struggled desperately in his arms, her voice choked with emotion, “Let go of me! This is the only moon-carved likeness I have left of my mother, it’s mine!”
Drake quickly grasped her bloodied hand, his tone urgent, “Stop moving, your hand is hurt.”
Watching this, Evan was about to speak, when he noticed Liora reaching for the carving. In an instant, both of their expressions shifted.
As Liora reached for the likeness, a shard of crystal cut her hand deeply and blood began to flow. Drake immediately released Narissa, his face pale with concern as he grabbed Liora’s hand, his voice frantic, “Liora, you’re bleeding!”
Liora looked guilty, her face full of regret. “Narissa, I’ve been thinking about your mother’s kindness, so I kept the likeness by my bed, looking at it every day. I didn’t mean to take it.”
Narissa stared at Liora, her mind racing with disbelief. What had her mother ever done for them? The only thing they had ever taken from her was her father—and yet they shamelessly placed her mother’s moon-carving at their bedside. How could there be such cruel wolves in this world?
If her mother were to see this, how heartbroken she would be.
A deep sorrow settled in her heart, but no one seemed to notice. Evan wore a serious expression as he quickly called for the pack-healer to tend to Liora’s wound.
Liora, on the other hand, dismissed her bleeding hand with a soft, guilty smile. “It’s nothing. Just a little blood. As long as the likeness is fine, that’s all that matters.”
Everyone around her seemed overly concerned for Liora, asking if she was in pain. Meanwhile, Narissa bent down carefully to pick up the bloodied likeness. It was an old carving, the stone now stained with blood, and her mother’s face was partially obscured by the red marks that had seeped into it.
It felt just like the moment when her mother died in front of her. When she regained consciousness from the dazed state, she found herself cradled in her mother’s arms, her mother’s face already disfigured and covered in blood.
Her hands shook uncontrollably as her emotions completely broke down. Overcome with rage, she fainted on the spot.
Before losing consciousness, she saw two figures rushing toward her in a panic, but even as her eyes lost focus, no emotion stirred inside her.
When she finally woke up, she was met with Liora’s face, full of guilt. But the words that came from her mouth were in stark contrast to her expression. “Narissa, I was only trying to be kind, I didn’t mean to do it. You’re not mad at me, are you?”
Narissa remained silent, her face expressionless, while Liora smirked, dropping the pretense. “Narissa, do you see how easy it is to replace someone? This is just the beginning. I will make everyone who once loved you fall for me instead.”
Her eyes gleamed with determination. “Whether it’s Evan or Drake, they will both be mine.”
Narissa’s eyes grew empty, her gaze distant as she processed the words. She didn’t respond.
Liora’s smile deepened, laced with malice. “Do you know why Evan suddenly started treating you differently?”
Slowly, Narissa lifted her head, her gaze locking onto Liora with a sense of urgency. “Why?”
She needed to know why her brother no longer cared for her. Had she done something wrong? She would change if it meant he would still love her.
Liora, as though prepared for this moment, stirred the healing brew in her hand with a smug grin. “I had a priest of the Moon Shrine say that your fate is cursed. He said you bring misfortune to everyone around you. And he even claimed that your mother died because of you. So your brother believed him.”
Narissa’s body trembled and the numbness in her heart was replaced by a sharp, searing pain. No wonder her brother’s attitude had changed so suddenly and he kept his distance from her. It was all because he believed in those words, thinking that her mother’s death was caused by her.
Narissa tightened her fist, her eyes squeezed shut in unbearable pain.
During this time, Drake came to see her two or three times, but she remained silent. He would squat by her bed of woven furs, speaking softly, “Narissa, the healer said you’re overexerted. You mustn’t think too much. Liora was only concerned about you, which is why she took the likeness. I know you hate her because she is the daughter of your father and Wilde, but you’ll understand once you get to know her. She’s actually a very kind wolf.”
It was only when the likeness was mentioned that Narissa reacted.
Drake lowered his head and kissed Narissa’s cheek. “Narissa, Evan took the likeness to be fixed. I’ll come see you once I get back from my duties.”
Evan came to see her in the evening, holding the likeness that had been fixed. However, her mother’s face was already blurred. “Even though Liora tried her best to save the carving, it’s already too blurred.”
Narissa looked at the likeness, which no longer showed any recognizable features, and said softly, “Throw it away.”
Evan clenched the carving and looked at her with a shocked expression. “Narissa, Liora has worked so hard to save this carving.”
If it weren’t for the carving, there wouldn’t have been any trouble. But now she didn’t see the need to discuss it further because the situation had already unfolded.
However, she began to speak, her voice hoarse, “Evan, you think I caused Mom’s death, don’t you?”
The air was still and silent. Evan didn’t say anything, but she had already received her answer.
Narissa recalled how, after their mother’s death, some elders looked at her with disgust, saying, “Why did she survive the wolf attack while her mother died? I think she must have caused it.”
At that time, Evan had angrily reprimanded those who spoke ill of her, even turning against the elders over it. The seventeen-year-old him had frantically comforted her, “Don’t listen to them, it was just an accident, it’s not your fault. You’re my beloved sister and you always will be.”
Looking back now, everything felt like a dream.
At this moment, Elowen walked over, his face as dark as could be. “Nothing happened these past few moons while you were away, but the moment you return, everything turns into chaos. When will you ever be as obedient and sensible as Liora?”
As he spoke, Narissa remained silent.
Elowen looked at her with disappointment, as though she could never live up to his expectations. When he finished speaking, Narissa finally responded, “I’ll move out of here.”
Her mother had left her a territory and she no longer wanted to stay in this place.
It seemed that Evan understood what she was thinking. His expression briefly froze before he spoke, “Narissa, I’ve already asked Liora to start learning and getting hands-on experience with your lands.”
第8章
Elowen nodded in agreement at his words. “You’re going to join your life with Drake in the Moon-Bonding ceremony, so just stay within the den and tend to the matters at home.”
Narissa hadn’t expected that they would try to take away the only land and holdings her mother had left her. Her fingers clenched so tightly that they turned white and she could no longer contain her anger. “That was something my mother left for me, it’s my territory. What right do you have to make this decision on your own?”
Evan frowned and spoke up, “Because I hold shares in the territory and I have the right to make this decision. Now, just stay at home and rest. The healer said your health is very weak, so don’t worry about the lands.”
When the hide-curtain closed, Narissa’s eyes filled with tears and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Whether it was the moon-carved likeness or the territory, she hadn’t been able to hold on to anything her mother had left her.
During this time, Drake made an effort to visit her every day. When he learned about the situation, his eyes were filled with compassion as he held her gently and comforted her in a soft voice, “Don’t worry, once we’re bonded, all these lands will be yours again. No one can take away what belongs to you.”
But his words no longer stirred any emotions in Narissa’s heart.
To cheer her up, Drake showered her with an endless supply of wolf-crafted figurines—little stuffed animals made of soft beast-pelts.
The entire room was soon filled with these plush pelts, decorated in her favorite pale-rose hues, turning it into Narissa’s favorite place to spend time in the den.
Yet one day, as Narissa woke from an afternoon nap, she overheard Liora’s voice outside the fur-curtain: “You gave Narissa so many figurines, but what about me?”
Her tone was filled with both coquetry and dissatisfaction. Through the white sheer wolfhide curtain, Narissa saw two figures leaning close to each other.
Drake’s voice was tense, carrying a hint of panic. “Narissa is still inside. Let’s talk outside.”
Liora let out a soft snort. “No, why are you scared? She is asleep. You give her figurines but not me? Hmph, I’m not speaking to you anymore.”
As she spoke, she turned to leave. Drake glanced nervously toward the curtain and seeing no movement inside, he quickly pulled her into his arms. He gently tapped her nose with a doting smile. “Silly little wolf, if you want some, I’ll have the craftsmen carve them for you too.”
Liora’s fingertip trailed down his chest, slowly moving up to his throat. “But, I want these ones. Will you give them to me?”
Drake grabbed her hand firmly, his expression turning cold. “Liora, please be good.”
Liora let out a soft huff, her face full of grievance. “But I just want the ones here!”
Drake’s expression softened again. “If you want, I’ll gather more for you, but the ones here are off-limits.”
Through the curtain, Liora’s eyes flickered with a mix of jealousy and hatred as she looked inside. Her expression shifted to one of quiet triumph as she lifted her head and kissed Drake’s lips.
Drake’s throat bobbed as he tried to push her away. “Let’s go somewhere else.”
Liora’s voice carried a playful laugh. “Haven’t we been doing this all along these days? Let’s do it here. Narissa won’t notice.”
He exhaled slowly, seemingly reassured, and lowered his head to bite her pale neck with abandon. “You little seductress.”
Their intimate, breathy whispers echoed faintly through the den.
The long-numbed heart of Narissa ached sharply once more, a wave of coldness spreading over her body.
After they left, she collapsed by the stone basin, vomiting violently.
For days, as she drifted into sleep countless times, Drake and Liora had already been entangled in their secret affair.
While they were lost in their reckless entanglement, Narissa recorded everything.
Not long after, she moved out. Every time she thought of that den, all she felt was disgust.
When Drake found out she had moved, he rushed to her in a panic. “Narissa, why did you move out?”
Narissa fixed her gaze on him and said, enunciating every word, “Because it’s dirty.”
His face instantly turned pale. Seeing this, Narissa curled her lips into a faint smile. “A dirty den is disgusting if it’s not cleaned properly, right?”
Hearing her words, Drake’s heart, which had been racing, finally settled down. He let out a slow sigh of relief. However, something about her words felt off, though he couldn’t quite figure out why. “You’re right. It does need a good cleaning.”
There was a hint of regret in his heart, realizing that he wouldn’t be able to visit that place anymore.
With that thought, a trace of guilt crossed his face as he spoke, “Narissa, we’re about to be bonded. I’ll make sure you have a grand ceremony.”
Narissa barely tugged at the corners of her lips, but there was no trace of a smile in her eyes. “Before the bonding ceremony, I’ll give you a surprise.”
Drake pulled her into his arms, a pleased smile curving his lips, his eyes soft with affection. “What’s the surprise?”
“It’s a secret.”
He was momentarily stunned, then chuckled helplessly, tightening his embrace around her. He whispered, “Narissa, do you know? I’ve been going crazy wanting to be with you.”
Narissa remained silent.
Only she knew that they wouldn’t be bonded—because she planned to leave this place on Liora’s nameday festival.
And there were only five days left until then.
第9章
After he left, she hired a lone tracker from the border packs. Watching the figures moving outside the carved stone window, she spoke in a calm tone, “Keep an eye on him.”
On the first day, she received an update about Drake’s whereabouts. He had gone to her mother’s trading hall, picked up Liora and then the two went to a mountain guest-den, not returning to the main den until late at night.
The following updates were a series of intimate and suggestive illusion-visions captured in spirit crystals. She stared silently at the stuffed pelt-creatures in the room. With a steady hand, she cleared them all out and cast them into the hearth-fire.
The next day, she learned that her brother had known all along about Drake’s affair with Liora behind her back and that he had even gone across the distant seas to buy a moonstone necklace for Liora.
She read the raven-carried message without a flicker of emotion on her face. She began to pack up everything in her mother's den and erased all traces of herself, even cutting herself out of the woven family tapestry and replacing it with Liora.
On the third day, she sold all the clothes in the three large travelling chests. When Drake and Evan walked through the door of the great hall, they froze upon seeing the packed gear.
Drake's right eyelid twitched involuntarily, a wave of frustration rising in him, as if something was slipping out of his control.
He strode toward Narissa, his eyes fixed on her with a look of unease. “Narissa, what are you doing?” His tone was tight with tension.
Evan glanced around and when he noticed many of the cloaks and robes were gifts he had personally given her, his brow furrowed in surprise. He looked at Narissa, waiting for an explanation.
Narissa felt their probing gazes on her, her heart tightening involuntarily. She maintained a calm demeanor, her expression giving nothing away. “We're about to get engaged, so I thought I'd start packing.”
The two of them relaxed, not giving it much thought. Evan casually took out a carved wooden gift box, revealing a moon-pendant inside. “This is the one I got for you from distant lands beyond the Silver Mountains.”
Narissa glanced at it for a few seconds, recognizing it as the same pendant he had given to Liora. Her tone was distant, “Thank you.”
Evan frowned at her cold response. In the past, Narissa had always been thrilled to receive gifts from him. She would always smile brightly when he brought something back.
He suddenly realized that it had been a long time since he’d seen her smile.
Drake, noticing her lack of enthusiasm, raised an eyebrow and took out a bright red engagement robe. “I know you don’t want to go out, so I thought I’d pick this one out for you.”
Narissa stared at the robe for a few moments. She had seen this robe in a painted likeness before, on Liora.
Narissa had always preferred softer, lighter colors. Only Liora would like such a bright color. Seeing she didn’t smile, Drake felt a pang of anxiety. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”
“I don’t like such bright colors. This color is something only Liora would like.”
Upon hearing this, Drake's expression froze. His face shifted between different emotions before he finally spoke, “I thought you she-wolves would like something like this. I’ll take you to pick something you like instead.”
Narissa’s smile was faint. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s not like I’ll need it.”
“How could you not need it...” Drake started to protest, but just then, both their message crystals vibrated with pale light. They checked their crystals, exchanged a glance and then turned to Narissa. “We have to step out for pack duty for a while.”
Not long after they left, Narissa received spirit-visions of them visiting Liora.
It was the Winter Moon Feast and her father had taken Wilde out for a pilgrimage to the high Moon Shrine, leaving the den eerily quiet. Meanwhile, at her brother’s private hill-fort, skyfire spells lit up the night sky. In the vision, Evan was gently ruffling Liora’s hair with a look of fondness.
Narissa stood alone on the stone terrace, gazing at the skyfire lighting up the heavens. She thought to herself, if they no longer loved her, then she wouldn't need them either.
On the fourth day, she sold all her clothes for moon-coins, which she sent with a caravan to orphaned pups in famine-stricken border packs. As she looked around at the empty room, Elowen returned and was taken aback. “What's going on here?”
Narissa casually replied, “We're getting engaged. I’m just tidying up in advance.”
Ironically, the household maid had sensed she was about to leave, yet her family remained unaware.
第10章
Elowen truly believed her words and didn't take them to heart. He turned to leave.
Narissa called out to him. She stood by the floor-to-ceiling window carved into the cliffside den, bathed in the warmth of the dawnlight filtering through ancient runic stone, her voice soft as she spoke, “Dad, this is the last time I will call you.”
For a brief moment, Elowen seemed to see a reflection of his younger days with Astrid. His mind wandered for a moment.
Snapping back to reality, he looked at his daughter, his expression softening somewhat. “Once you're mated, stay calm. Whatever mistakes you make after that, no one will be there to help you.”
Narissa lowered her gaze, a faint, sarcastic smile playing on her lips. On the fifth day, everyone was busy preparing for Liora’s Moon-Day celebration.
Narissa, on the other hand, spent her coin collecting all the moon-stones that recorded Drake’s betrayal and arranged for the herald-ravens to circulate them across every clan territory.
She even went as far as purchasing spell-mirrors on the high cliffs where pack members often gathered, determined to let everyone know about the affair between Drake and Liora.
Moreover, during this time, she had thoroughly investigated the events where Liora had framed her and now, with irrefutable evidence carved by seers into memory-crystals, it was clear that Liora had orchestrated everything herself.
By the time the truth came to light, they would likely already be on their private island-sanctuary, as Elowen had planned to publicly acknowledge Liora's lineage during her Moon-Day celebration that night.
All of this was no longer her concern. She had already booked her place on a departing sky-ship and was on a flight overseas to distant wolf tribes beyond the Spirit Sea.
Meanwhile, on the island-sanctuary, Drake had searched for Narissa everywhere, but couldn’t find her. Eventually, he learned from Evan that she hadn’t come because she was feeling unwell.
Drake was stunned in surprise, “Narissa’s not feeling well?”
Evan, with a hint of impatience in his eyes, replied, “It’s just an excuse. She’s probably off somewhere throwing a tantrum.”
Hearing this, Drake couldn’t hide his concern, “Aren’t you worried about her?”
Evan, with an air of indifference, was slightly taken aback by his sudden concern. He gave Drake a look and said, “She’s always been spoiled and temperamental. It’s probably just another tantrum over Liora.”
He paused, then glanced at Drake curiously, “But you, why are you suddenly concerned? Today’s Liora’s Moon-Day, don’t make her upset.”
Drake’s expression darkened, his gaze toward Evan filled with displeasure. “Evan, Narissa is your own sister.”
He furrowed his brows, his fists tightening in frustration. “She’s been acting off these few days and now she’s suddenly gone from home. Didn't you think about these things?”
Evan stood frozen, as if struck by lightning. The smile on his lips froze and he remained silent for a long time.
Drake didn’t wait for him to respond. His face darkened further as he repeatedly attempted to reach Narissa through the clan-link stone, but the link remained cold and unanswered.
For some reason, since the morning, an overwhelming sense of unease gnawed at him.
The unease that had been building inside Drake reached its peak when he learned that Narissa had not arrived. His mind began to replay everything that had happened recently and a wave of guilt washed over him.
In the past few days, due to Liora’s Moon-Day, he hadn’t had much time to spend with Narissa. It was only now that he realized Narissa had barely spoken to him lately.
Once she returned, he promised himself he would spend more time with her. But before he could even begin searching for her, his messenger hawk returned with a scroll from his steward. “Alpha Kingsley, your connection with Lady Liora is spreading across the realms. You’d better take a look!”
He paused, confused. What could be going on with him and Liora? But as soon as he unrolled the scroll, his mind went blank.
The magic-mirrors around the realm were flooded with numerous intimate recordings and memory-crystals of him, spreading across every territory. The clan-songs were filled with wolves questioning his relationship with her.
Without hesitation, he turned to his steward. “Silence the bards immediately. Stop all rumor-songs. We can't let Narissa find it out.”
As he spoke, his voice trembled with anxiety. He kept telling himself that these things could never reach Narissa. “If we act quickly, Narissa won’t find out.”
But the next moment, his steward’s trembling voice shattered all his hopes. “Alpha Kingsley, the rumor-songs are too loud right now. The packs are spreading them faster than we can silence them.”
Drake, furious, hurled the scroll to the ground, his face dark with rage. “Useless!”
He scrambled to use his influence to silence the clans, but no sooner had he suppressed the rumor-songs in one region than they erupted again in another. His frustration reached its peak and he quickly engraved a rune-message into a link stone, hoping to send it to Narissa.
‘Narissa, everything you see is false. I have nothing to do with her, please believe me.’
Drake couldn’t bear the thought of Narissa, who had always despised traitorous mates, seeing the truth. He couldn’t imagine how furious she would be.
But after sending the rune, Drake froze completely.
The stone pulsed once—
and then dimmed.
A message carved itself across its surface:
‘This link has been severed.’
It seemed Narissa had blocked him from her soul-bond stones.