Vero Zaguarnath
1450 Words
I watched the sunrise with my own eyes after spending the night with my Alpha.
Yet instead of happiness, something gnawed relentlessly at the walls of my heart.
I felt empty.
It was as if every ounce of love I had once held for the two people I cherished most had completely vanished.
I stepped outside and was greeted by Ellara, who looked radiant that morning. She wore one of her elegant gowns—the very gowns I had sewn with my own hands. I had treated her like a princess in this castle.
And yet...
She had stabbed me in the back without the slightest mercy.
"Sister... how was your first night? You look like you didn't sleep at all," she teased with a playful smile.
I let out a slow breath.
"Hah... yes. It was... quite an unforgettable night," I murmured.
A flicker of discomfort crossed Ellara's face before she forced herself to laugh, assuming I was joking.
"Well then... you should get ready. Everyone is waiting for you."
I followed her to the dining hall.
From the staircase, I could already see Kale sitting at the table.
His gaze had changed ever since the Moon Goddess's Diamond Stone Ritual ended.
He looked at me with pure hatred—
As if I were a defective item he had foolishly paid a fortune for.
A faint smile curved my lips.
In my previous life, that look alone was enough to make me cry through the night. I blamed myself endlessly and trained without rest, believing I simply wasn't worthy of standing beside him as his Luna.
But not anymore.
No matter how hard I tried...
The ending would never change.
Because Kale had never wanted me.
What he desired was the power the Dark Wolf Elders had prophesied I possessed.
And when that prophecy proved false...
I lost every ounce of value in his eyes.
"I'll be leaving for the Eastern Territory this afternoon."
Kale's voice shattered the silence around the dining table.
He didn't even bother looking at me.
Instead, Ellara, seated beside him, gently poured warm tea into his cup.
"Don't forget to eat first, Alpha."
Her smile carried a meaning only the two of them understood.
Kale returned it with one far warmer.
"Thank you, Ellara. You're always so thoughtful."
My hand froze halfway to picking up my spoon.
In my previous life...
I had never realized they were already this close.
I truly had been a fool.
"Big Sister Yura."
Ellara turned to me with an innocent smile.
"Why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your liking?"
I lifted my head and smiled back.
"It's delicious."
"Then why do you look so down?"
I looked straight at Kale.
"Because there's something far harder to swallow than food."
The room instantly fell silent.
Kale finally looked at me.
Our eyes locked—
But only for a heartbeat.
He scoffed softly before standing.
"I'm leaving today. I'll return in two days."
Without waiting for my response, he walked away.
Ellara hurried after him.
"Alpha... will you bring me something back?"
"Of course, Ellara."
Her face immediately blossomed into a bright smile.
I answered with one just as calm.
"Laugh while you still can..."
I whispered under my breath.
"Sister? Aren't you going to ask Alpha for anything? He's going beyond the hills. Agrari Market has so many wonderful things."
"I don't want anything."
---
By noon, I stood alone on the castle balcony.
The autumn breeze gently swept through my hair.
Yet my thoughts wandered to the one man I had spent my entire life avoiding.
Vero Zaguarnath.
The Great Alpha of the Iron Fang Pack.
His name was feared across nearly every territory.
Legend said that by the age of twenty-eight, he had already crushed more than ten packs that dared invade his lands. Though he served only as the Supreme Commander, he was hailed as a hero by his people and deeply trusted by the Alpha King himself.
He was ruthless.
Cold.
Nearly invincible.
But there was one thing no one had ever understood.
A man that powerful...
Was obsessed with me.
In my previous life, every time he visited this castle, I chased him away.
He had been my childhood friend and always acted as though he had the right to bother me whenever he pleased.
Because I was blindly devoted to Kale, I threw away every gift Vero sent me.
Every letter he wrote...
I burned without reading.
I believed he was nothing more than a madman trying to steal another Alpha's Luna.
Only after I died...
Did I learn the truth.
He carried my lifeless body home with his own hands.
And mourned my death.
But now...
Fate had granted me a second chance.
Dark clouds slowly gathered across the sky.
"If I must use someone to bring Kale down..."
I slowly clenched my fist.
"...then that person can only be Vero."
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed behind me.
"Lady Yura!"
I turned around.
"What is it?"
The servant bowed deeply.
"The Great Alpha of the Iron Fang Pack... Vero Zaguarnath... has entered the castle's territory."
My heart skipped a beat.
He...
Had arrived much earlier than I remembered.
A genuine smile spread across my lips.
I smoothed the wrinkles from my dress.
"Welcome our guest with the respect he deserves."
This time...
I would never drive away the man who would one day become the reason for Kale's downfall.
---
I waited on the palace balcony.
With hesitant steps, Vero approached, holding a bouquet of wildflowers in his hands.
I could hear his footsteps.
A quiet chuckle escaped my lips as I sensed his hesitation.
"Vero?"
I called softly without turning around.
He sounded unexpectedly nervous.
"I came... to congratulate you on your marriage."
His deep voice carried a trace of bitterness.
I rose to my feet and turned to face him.
Vero looked slightly surprised by how calmly I welcomed him this time.
I walked toward him gracefully.
"I know you're busy... but why do you always come to see me?"
He lowered his eyes for a moment.
"You know, Yura... I've always loved you. But what can I do? You were never the Luna destined to be mine."
I looked at him warmly.
The expression alone made him visibly flustered.
"This is for you... Congratulations on your new life."
I accepted the bouquet.
Vero turned, intending to leave.
Before he could take another step...
I reached out and gently caught his strong hand.
"Vero... would you spare a little of your time for me? It's been so long since we last talked. Let me prepare something for you."
Confusion was written all over his face, but I paid no attention to it.
He quietly followed as I held his hand and led him to a lounge chair on the balcony outside my room.
"Yura? What's gotten into you? Weren't you always angry whenever I came to see you? Ever since you grew close to Kale a year ago... you couldn't even bear to look at me."
"I'm sorry, Vero."
I poured some warm tea into a cup before walking over to him.
"It's been a long time since we had a chance to talk," I said calmly.
Vero let out a slow breath and took a sip of the warm tea while stealing another glance at me. I simply continued gazing at his handsome face.
"I want you, Vero," I whispered, gazing deeply into his eyes.
He was instantly startled, coughing reflexively as he choked on his warm tea. He tried to catch his breath while I patted his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Vero set down his cup, swallowed hard, and turned to look at me.
I slipped off the piece of lingerie covering my body, then let myself fall against him.
He looked into my eyes. Taking the initiative,
I crushed my lips against his, kissing him deeply and trying to stoke his desire.
"Yura? But you're married!"
"He ignored me on our wedding night," I whispered, before pressing my lips back against his sexy mouth.
Vero had no choice but to surrender, giving in to the desire I had been holding back since the night before.
In the evening... I went to calm myself up on the hill where the diamond stone was , And I saw the stone emitting a red light. According to the beliefs of the herd
It was a great power. From the werewolf who touched him before.
I received that gift. I am that invincible red wolf.
I understand now why the Stone didn't glow in front of Kale.
Kale is a hypocrite. His dark aura prevents this diamond from shining.
- Writer
