Liam’ POV
“Liam, how do I look now?” In the carriage, Alpha Kevin asked me seriously, combing his hair neatly back, resembling a gentleman.
“What?” I was very puzzled.
“I mean, do I look attractive? You know, the kind that makes women fall for me.” He said somewhat uneasily, sitting upright.
“Y-yes, Alpha, undoubtedly, you are the most handsome and charming male wolf in the Blood Moon Pack, that’s beyond doubt.” I said earnestly, hoping my answer wouldn’t offend him.
In my five years as Alpha Kevin’s Beta, it was the first time I had seen him so excited and anxious. This was entirely different from his usual cold and steady demeanor. Over these years, women to him were like changing clothes. Even my sister, Maya, the acknowledged beautiful female wolf of the Blood Moon Pack, hadn’t taken his attention away. I had thought he was a complete playboy, but now his behavior was akin to a young male wolf experiencing first love, and it made me want to laugh.
“Very well.” Alpha Kevin relaxed a bit.
I was quite confused. Since receiving information about Ella from the red-haired witch yesterday, Alpha Kevin had been tense. Sometimes frowning, sometimes sighing, I didn’t dare to speak. Then he would incessantly ask me some peculiar questions, like what approach female wolves liked, how to seek forgiveness from a mother wolf, and comments about his appearance, like just now.
I cautiously answered them all and understood Ella’s importance, that mute Omega, to the Alpha. Alpha didn’t even handle his father, Peter Allen, with such care. This time, not only Maya but all the young mother wolves of the Blood Moon Pack would be heartbroken. In the struggle for the Luna position and the Alpha’s affection, they encountered a strong competitor.
The carriage continued speeding along, and I looked out the window, trying hard to recall the Omega that Alpha was so concerned about. I could barely remember her appearance; I only recalled she had long black hair and carried a bamboo basket. Generally, I have a good memory for beautiful women, but Ella didn’t seem to fit that category.
“Liam, I must tell you in advance,” Alpha interrupted my thoughts.
“Yes, Alpha, please go ahead.”
“When we reach the Blue River Clan, we need to be low-key. If we encounter Ella, no matter how bad her attitude toward me is, you must not scold her. You have to show her love and care.”
“Y-yes, Alpha.” I was astonished and nearly bit my tongue.
“Liam, I must be serious, you have to take this matter seriously,” Alpha Kevin’s blue eyes showed a warning.
“Yes, Alpha! I will do it!”
“Very well.”
Ella’s POV
The first summer bonfire party began; the werewolves of the Blue River Clan gathered on the riverbank, dancing traditional social dances. I’m not good at dancing, so I sat in a corner, savoring grilled fish. The werewolves of the Blue River Clan weren’t as martial as those of the Blood Moon Clan; they were more focused on enjoying life, and there was plenty of delicious food.
“Hey, miss, would you like to dance?” A male wolf dressed in brown leather approached, bowing, extending his hand to me.
Feeling a bit awkward, I wiped the oil from my mouth and politely shook my head to refuse.
The male wolf seemed displeased that I didn’t even speak and left in a huff.
Helplessly, I put away my utensils, planning to finish eating and leave for home. However, as the music of a dance ended, I caught a familiar scent. Alert, I looked into the distance. The light from the flames made me squint; my blurry vision only saw two figures approaching.
As they drew closer, the familiar scent grew stronger, making me uneasy.
Mate.
Ella, it’s our mate.
Lucy shouted in my mind, and my heart raced violently in response.
I recalled the day I met Kevin in the bar that day with some fear. If he really came to the Blue River Tribe, the life I had worked so hard for so many years would be ruined.
I wanted to run, but the two figures caught up to me. A male wolf wearing a black mask grabbed my hand. Through the mask, a pair of blue eyes stared intensely at me.
“Hi, this beautiful lady, may I sincerely invite you to dance with me tonight?”
His magnetic voice was extremely pleasant, but I found it highly ironic. Kevin Allen, what game is he playing? He must have planned this meticulously to find me here, now acting like an innocent gentleman.
The man with the blue mask stood respectfully aside, almost disappearing into the background. He must be his new Beta.
Even though Kevin had rejected me for five years, the mate bond bestowed by the Moon Goddess hadn’t dissolved.
I glared angrily at Kevin, wanting to free myself from his grip, but his hand was like an iron vice.
Oh god, Ella, what do I do? Kevin has caught you.
My wolf was spinning in panic.
Meanwhile, the party atmosphere reached its peak; the music was loud, and the werewolves were immersed in the joy of dancing, oblivious to our unusual situation.
“Sweetheart, you are so charming tonight. I have to say, you are the most beautiful wolf I have ever seen,” Kevin smiled, radiating as much gentle goodwill as possible.
Look at him, using these playboy words; I wished I could slap him. After five years, I didn’t expect him to become so shameless, employing the same flirtatious tactics he used on other women on me.
I furrowed my brow, locking eyes with him, but he paid no heed to my hostility, just staring silently at me, then removing the mask.
“Well, Ella, I’m sure you’ve guessed it by now,” Kevin said in a teasing tone, seemingly trying to ease our tense atmosphere.
I remained silent, just glaring at him.
“Long time no see, Ella, you look beautiful now.”
Finally, I couldn’t stand his womanizing words anymore and had to reveal the secret I had hidden for days.
“Sir, I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not Ella; my name is Anna, Anna Edwards.” I tried to put on a contemptuous expression.
“You… you can speak?!” Kevin’s pupils dilated in disbelief, shock.
Yes, I’m no longer mute. A week ago, I discovered I could speak, perhaps because the poison from the Black Mandala had completely dissipated from my body. At first, I had no intention of telling anyone; I didn’t want to explain too much. Sometimes being mute saved the trouble of forming bonds with people.
“This is such a surprise, Ella, how did your throat heal? I mean… I’m so happy for you!”
“Sir, isn’t speaking a normal function for a regular person? And I have to say, your way of approaching women is very cliche.” I pretended to laugh lightly, glaring at him challengingly.
Kevin still looked at me in disbelief, as if he was shocked by my voice. My tongue moved in my mouth. Speaking in front of others for the first time made my tongue numb. I couldn’t show any abnormality.
“No, Ella, don’t joke with me.” Kevin grabbed my shoulders excitedly. “Just because you changed your hair and eye color doesn’t mean you can lie. Ella, do you still hate me so much that you’d rather deceive me than acknowledge me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, please let me go!”
“No, Ella, I finally found you, and I won’t let you go again! It’s been five years; I’ve been searching for you every day, regretting my rashness in my youth. I sincerely apologize for rejecting you in the past and for the mistakes I made.”
He kept staring at my lips. Every time I said a word, his pupils would vibrate. He seemed to find it very novel and really happy that I was no longer mute.
He looked excited, the pain in his eyes confused me. He had always been so proud, never showing such humility in front of anyone. I was briefly thrown into confusion, but the memories of past pain brought me back to my senses.
“Ha, now I understand why you’re so stubborn, Sir. So you rejected your mate, regretted it after she left in sadness, right?” I portrayed myself as a mistaken stand-in, mocking him. “But please, look clearly, I am not her, I am not your mate. Treating a lady as a substitute is despicable.”
Kevin fell silent, the pain in his blue eyes revealing a pathological stubbornness. “Ella, why would you say such things? My wolf can smell your scent. Regardless of your appearance, name, or changed voice, the bond bestowed by the Moon Goddess cannot be easily severed. I feel guilty for not helping you when you needed it, but please believe me, I will make amends, just give me some time.”
The bond bestowed by the Moon Goddess cannot be easily severed?
I almost burst out laughing. Five years ago, he was the one who wanted to sever our bond, humiliating me in front of everyone, and now he was here pretending. If it weren’t for continuing the act, I’d tear off his mask.
“Mate? Well, Sir, I sympathize with your situation. If your wolf really senses that I am your mate, then I’m unlucky. But I’m really not Ella. Have you heard about the Second Chance? I believe all werewolves know that after one side rejects the other, the Moon Goddess arranges a second mate for them…”
“Second mate?” Kevin seemed wounded. At this moment, his body stiffened, and I could feel the tension in his shoulders lighten.
“Yes, second mate. Honestly, my wolf does sense yours. Although it’s a coincidence, it seems the Moon Goddess has chosen me as your second mate. But I must clarify, I won’t be anyone’s substitute.” I shrugged, pretending to be playful in tone, hoping to deceive him successfully.
“You, second mate…?” He stared intensely at my face, not missing any hint of my emotions, seemingly trying to find a flaw.
I adopted a teasing expression, completely different from my usual demeanor. “Yeah, Sir. So, can I go now? It’s getting late, and I have to get back before my family starts looking for me. You don’t know how scary my grandmother can be when she’s angry.”
Hearing my words, Kevin fell into self-doubt, his eyes reddening.
“Anna, aren’t you going home yet? Your grandmother urged me not to let you stay out too late. You have to open the clinic tomorrow morning,” the voice of the maid, Ava, came from a few meters away.
I nodded in gratitude towards Ava, then looked back at Kevin. This time, would he finally believe what I said?