Chapter 5

• Vanya's POV
• To my surprise, Theodore didn't press for further reasons.
• I received a verbal commitment from him. Although I couldn't say I was completely reassured, I wasn't panicked either.
• I knew Theodore was a man of his word. Once he promised something, he was likely to follow through.
• As for me, I planned to keep Theodore's identity a deep secret, never to be revealed to others in the pack.
• After all that, I dragged my exhausted body to the bathtub, craving a good soak to ease my tense nerves.
• As the warm water gradually covered my body, my thoughts began to drift.
• After the initial panic, I gradually calmed down.
• After my bath, I locked the bedroom door.
• I was well aware of where Cliff was at this hour. He was with Melinda, undoubtedly.
• Although my wolf was still restless, strangely, there was no pain from the betrayal of my mate.
• I knew Cliff wouldn't engage in overly intimate actions with Melinda just yet.
• But this restraint wouldn't last long.
• Soon, he would indulge his wolf and completely succumb to the allure of his true mate, even betraying our oath.
• However, at this moment, there was no pain in my heart.
• I couldn't help but wonder why I was so calm, even though Cliff and I hadn't rejected each other.
• His wolf seemed unable to affect me as it once had. Everything seemed so strange.
• The next day, I woke up to the faint light of dawn.
• I was still lying on the familiar bed, marveling at the miracle of the Moon Goddess.
• At that moment, there was a sound from the bedroom door, followed by urgent knocking and Cliff's angry voice, "What the hell, Vanya! Why did you lock the door? Open it now!"
• I got up leisurely and opened the door.
• Cliff stood at the door, his face flushed with anger in his eyes.
• "What's the matter?" I asked.
• He stared at me fiercely, then slowly approached me.
• I could feel his breathing becoming rapid.
• Suddenly, he lowered his head and sniffed at my neck, the warm breath making me slightly uncomfortable.
• "I think I can mark you again, to strengthen our bond. Maybe then, I'll have enough power to reject Melinda," he said in a deep, husky voice, with a hint of probing.
• I rejected him without hesitation, even feeling a bit of disgust. "No need. Where were you yesterday, with Melinda?"
• Cliff snorted impatiently and turned to leave. "None of your business. I have a werewolf gathering to attend in a few days."
• "Should I be with you?" I asked.
• "You don't need to," he said without turning back.
• I watched his hurried departure and sneered inwardly.
• In the previous life, he took Melinda to the gathering. Since we had just become mates for less than a month, many werewolves didn't know that I was his Luna.
• They mistook Melinda for the Luna, causing me endless humiliation.
• But this time, I wouldn't let the same thing happen.
• I found my best friend, Maggie, one of the few people in Silver Moon I could trust.
• "Maggie, I want you to take me to get a dress made in your name," I said. "I can't let Cliff know I'm going to the werewolf gathering."
• Maggie looked at me, puzzled. "Vanya, why don't you just reject him? Why bother with all this?"
• I sighed gently and looked into her eyes, "It's not that simple. He won't agree to my rejection. We've only been married for a month. It would also be a blow to my father's pack."
• Maggie held my hand.
• Then I came to the Packhouse and just happened to meet the tailor leaving.
• Pretending to know nothing, I asked Jenny, "Jenny, what's going on?"
• Jenny opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to tell me something, but helplessly closed it again.
• "It's Alpha Cliff. He saw that I was too pitiful, with no decent clothes. If I attend any gathering, it would embarrass the pack, so he had someone make a couple of dresses for me," Melinda said weakly.
• I sneered inwardly.
• What chance did a rogue have to represent the pack at a gathering? She just wanted to imply something to me.
• I walked up to Melinda with a friendly smile on my face. "That's great. You must choose well and dress beautifully."
• Melinda was obviously taken aback by my actions.
• Other members of the pack around us also looked surprised.
• Some werewolves' eyes widened in disbelief at what was happening; others frowned, their faces full of confusion, clearly not understanding why I was so kind to this woman who openly broke my marriage.
• Pretending not to see their reactions, I continued to smile at Melinda. "Melinda, you're new here and may not be used to it yet. But don't worry, in our pack, everyone will take good care of you."
• I gently patted her shoulder, my movements soft and natural.
• Melinda finally came to her senses, forcing a smile and saying, "Thank you... Thank you, Luna Vanya, for your concern. I just don't want to cause any trouble."