Rae’s hand clenched her skirt, her eyes shining and her lips humming a tune as she walked toward the Alpha's office. She couldn’t wait to share the good news with Cassian… He would be so happy for her.

Rae's hand immediately dug into her pocket, feeling the texture of the ring box. A silly smile appeared on her face as a thought flickered through her mind. Cassian might even propose to her right then and there.

Suddenly, Rae's brows furrowed as she looked around. The atmosphere in the pack seemed completely different. Unlike the usual bustling atmosphere, the pack seemed unusually quiet, almost deserted. Where was everyone?

Not long after, two maids dressed in black walked toward Rae while balancing a platter containing empty wine glasses. Rae tapped one of the maids and whispered in confusion, “What’s happening?”

The first maid gasped and sarcastically exclaimed, “Oh dear me. What a clueless Luna to be!” Her eyes fell on Rae’s ear, and her nose flared in disdain. “What’s she asking for? She’s not even wearing a hearing aid. How can she hear? Such an embarrassment.”

Rae froze. So rude.

The second maid, not noticing Rae’s expression, smiled wickedly. She leaned close to Rae’s ear and yelled, “If you want to know what’s happening so badly, then I’ll tell you. Alpha Cassian is holding a return festival for Miss Cindy. A return festival.”

Rae flinched.

The first maid looked at the second maid in disgruntlement and said in a hushed voice, “Alpha said we should keep this a secret. No one should tell Miss Rae about this.”

The second maid shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Why are you so worried? It’s not like the deaf thing can hear us anyway. She’s not even wearing her hearing aid, for Goddess' sake. I don’t know how Alpha managed to stick with her for so long. She’s a deaf woman. A good-for-nothing who thinks she can become our Luna. What a disgrace. It’s embarrassing! I wish she would just leave.”

“Sh. Sh. That’s enough. Someone could hear us.” The first maid quickly grabbed the other maid and pulled her away.

Return festival?

Rae froze, her hand clenching into a fist. As in... Cindy was back?

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, Cassian was holding a party for her arrival at the pack?

Something sharp seemed to pierce her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

No. No.

She took a deep breath. That couldn’t be possible. Cassian wouldn’t do that to her. After all Cindy had done to her. After Cindy had made her lose her wolf and her hearing.

He wouldn’t.

Cassian wouldn’t betray her.

Something had to be wrong. Or maybe the maids were just trying to hurt her with words, like they had done so many times before.

Still, Rae tried to calm herself down. If there really was a return festival, then it had to be taking place in the pack hall.

Rae picked up her pace and ran toward the pack hall.

Even from a distance, Rae could feel the shift in the atmosphere. The atmosphere around the hall was completely different. It was filled with joy. It was as if the pack were celebrating someone beloved.

Not someone who had tried to kill Rae.

Rae's legs felt as heavy as lead as she walked toward the pack hall. Under the bright lights, Cindy, dressed in an elegant yellow gown, held the microphone and looked at Cassian with affectionate eyes.

“Thank you, everyone. And most importantly, thank you, Cassian, for holding this party for me. After spending so much time abroad, I've missed my home so much. It’s true what they say—there’s no place like home....”

Someone from the crowd interrupted with a teasing laugh. “Miss Cindy, I don’t think what you missed is the pack. I think you missed Alpha.”

Cindy blushed and looked at Cassian with eyes full of fondness. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his without warning.

Gasps echoed throughout the pack hall before they were quickly replaced by cheers and excited howls.

Cassian's brows knitted together, yet his hands remained at his sides. Even though he didn’t pull Cindy closer, he didn’t push her away either.

A loud shattering sound rang inside Rae's head, and a burning sensation overwhelmed her mate bond. Something wet trickled down her cheeks, yet she couldn’t bring herself to wipe it away.

Cassian...

And Cindy?

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

What was happening?

After three years of being labeled a deaf and wolfless omega, Rae had finally regained her hearing. Even her doctor had called it a miracle—a phenomenon that had never happened before.

Yet just when Rae was about to share the news with her beloved mate, she caught him kissing the woman responsible for her accident in front of the entire pack.

A pack member whom Rae recognized as one of Cindy's childhood friends teased, “Alpha Cassian, you and Miss Cindy should just get together already. Don’t you both look lovely, like a beloved couple blessed by the Moon Goddess? Miss Cindy is sensible and smart, and Alpha is wise. Under both of your rule, our pack will flourish.”

Cindy’s cheeks flushed, and she pulled away from Cassian. She shot the person a playful glare, yet her eyes were filled with hope.

“Shut up, Maddie.”

Cassian looked around the pack hall and cleared his throat. His blue eyes flashed with authority, and the hall immediately fell silent.

“Today’s festival is being held to welcome Cindy. After spending several years abroad, it won’t be easy for her to adjust to the pack's rules. Guide her.”

Rae felt as though a noose had tightened around her neck. It hurt.

It felt as if she couldn't breathe. So dismissive.