Chapter 119
Chloe's POV
The three-day deadline weighed on my chest like a boulder, making even breathing feel heavy.
After returning to the pack house, I carefully covered the mark Ivan had left on my neck with a scarf—those two neat rows of teeth marks still throbbed faintly, reminding me of last night's madness.
I hurried through the corridor, my mind racing through what to do next, when I collided head-on with Jordan coming around the corner.
"Watch out—" Jordan reached out to steady me, but the elegant wooden box in his arms lost balance and crashed to the floor with a thud. The lid popped open, scattering its contents everywhere.
I crouched down to help him gather the items, recognizing an exquisitely crafted silver wine set with intricate wolf clan totems carved on the cups. "Sorry, I was distracted."
"It's fine." Jordan's tone was tense as he hastily stuffed the wine set back into the box, his movements unnaturally rushed.
As I stood up, the scarf loosened at one corner, exposing the mark on my neck.
Jordan's gaze swept over it, his pupils contracting sharply, but he said nothing. He simply clutched the wooden box tighter and averted his eyes with a flicker of uncertainty.
"This is..." I pointed at the wine set, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"A gift for Walter, the heir of the Silver Moon Pack," Jordan said quietly. "He's arriving tonight. Alpha Tyler specifically asked me to prepare this."
I froze for a moment.
Walter—the heir of the Silver Moon Pack, the one my father had been trying to match me with. Tonight's banquet was originally arranged for us to "coincidentally" meet, but now everything had changed.
"Your neck..." Jordan hesitated, then spoke anyway. "Chloe, do you know what you're doing?"
"I know." I tightened the scarf, my voice calmer than I'd expected. "I'm very clear about it."
Jordan stared at me for several seconds before finally sighing. "You saved me once. I'll pretend I saw nothing." He turned and walked away with the box, his footsteps gradually fading down the corridor.
I stood there, my fingers gripping the edge of the scarf tightly.
Jordan's silence was a kindness, but how long could that kindness last? What would happen once my father discovered I'd been marked?
I didn't dare think about it.
Night fell, and the pack house banquet hall blazed with lights.
I changed into a high-necked deep blue gown—the safest option I could find. The collar reached almost to my chin, yet it wasn't too conspicuous for a formal occasion.
Grace helped me pin up my hair and deliberately wrapped an extra ribbon around my neck as decoration.
"You look very nervous tonight," she whispered, her fingers gently pressing on my shoulders. "Deep breaths, Chloe. Whatever happens, I'm here with you."
I forced a smile at her, but my heart still raced as if trying to leap from my chest.
The banquet hall had already gathered quite a crowd. Betas and Gammas chatted with wine glasses in hand, the air filled with the aroma of roasted meat and spices. Father stood in the center of the hall, greeting guests with a beaming smile, while Connor followed beside him looking smug.
I tried to avoid their line of sight, hiding at the edge of the crowd.
"The envoy from the Silver Moon Pack has arrived!" the guard at the entrance announced loudly.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the entrance.
A tall figure walked in—golden short hair, deep gray-blue eyes, every movement carrying an innate aristocratic bearing. Several guards followed behind him, but his presence alone was enough to overshadow everyone in the room.
Walter.
Father hurried forward, enthusiastically grasping his hand. "Welcome, welcome! It's truly our honor to have the heir of the Silver Moon Pack grace our humble home."
Walter nodded politely, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on me.
My heart jumped violently.
He walked toward me, a proper smile on his lips. "You must be Miss Chloe. I've heard much about you."
"Mr. Walter." I barely suppressed my nervousness and curtsied slightly.
"No need for formality." He extended his hand. "May I have the honor of the first dance with you tonight?"
I glanced at my father—he was staring at me with expectant eyes, as if saying "don't mess this up."
I had no choice but to place my hand in Walter's palm.
Music began, and we walked to the center of the dance floor.
Walter's steps were steady as he led me in turns through the crowd, his movements as fluid as if we'd rehearsed countless times. But as we drew closer, his expression became subtle.
"You've been marked," he suddenly said in a low voice.
My whole body stiffened, and I nearly stepped on his foot.
"Don't be nervous." Walter's voice was barely audible, meant only for us. "I won't tell anyone."
"You..."
"I can smell it," he said lightly. "Though you've hidden it well, the scent of a mark can't fool people, especially an Alpha heir like me."
I bit my lip, not knowing how to respond.
"Relax." Walter chuckled softly. "I mean no harm. In fact, I understand your situation."
"What do you mean?"
"This arranged marriage isn't my wish either," he said. "It's a decision made by the Alphas and elders of both packs. I'm just a pawn, same as you."
I looked up at him and found no mockery in his eyes, only a kind of weary resonance.
"Actually..." he paused, "I've also found my own mate."
My eyes widened.
"So you understand now." Walter smiled bitterly. "We're both in the same predicament."
The music continued as we maintained a proper distance, spinning. But this conversation gave me a strange sense of reassurance.
At least I wasn't alone in fighting against fate.
"I need your help with something," I said in a low voice.
"What is it?"
"Pretend... pretend we're perfectly matched," I said. "At least tonight, make everyone believe we're well-suited for each other."
Walter raised an eyebrow. "And then?"
"Then I need to get into my father's study."
He stared at me for several seconds, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Interesting. What are you looking for?"
"A medicine," I said. "A special remedy that can cure black magic corruption."
Walter's expression turned serious. "Black magic? That's no small matter."
"I know," I said. "But this is my only chance."
He fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright. I'll help you."
As the dance ended, Walter released my hand and turned to my father. "Alpha Tyler, your daughter is truly captivating. I'd like to speak with her privately. Might we borrow your study?"
A smile bloomed on Father's face. "Of course, of course! You young people have a good talk."
We left the banquet hall under envious gazes and entered my father's study. As soon as the door closed, Walter leaned against it, arms crossed, watching me.
"You have ten minutes," he said. "I'll keep watch at the door."
"Thank you." I took a deep breath and began searching the study.
Drawers, bookshelves, cabinets—I searched nearly every corner but found nothing. Just as I was about to despair, I noticed a locked iron box beneath the desk.
I crouched down and tried to pry it open, but without a key it was impossible.
"Found anything?" Walter asked from the doorway.
"There's a box, but it's locked," I said through gritted teeth. "It's most likely in there."
Walter walked over and glanced at the box.
"Are you sure it's from the Silver Moon Pack?"
"My father said so," I replied. "A remedy that can remove black magic corruption."
Walter frowned. "Is there such a medicine? I've never heard of it."
I froze. "What?"
"The Silver Moon Pack does have many herbal remedies, but one that removes black magic..." He shook his head. "At least I've never heard the elders mention it."
My heart sank. "Maybe it's a secret between your pack's Alpha and elders?"
Walter nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe."
But his tone carried doubt, and unease began rising in my heart.
What if this medicine didn't exist at all?
What if my father had been lying to me from the very beginning?