The Echo of a Faded Wolf

He froze for a second, his shock quickly curdling into the anger of being exposed. "What's your problem? I told you, I forgot it! Besides, this amulet is a hell of a lot better than your damn potion! Lilah is nobler and better than you in every way!"

My heart felt like it had been stabbed again. I stared at him in disbelief. "You think so too?"

Lately, I'd been hearing whispers in the pack that I was jealous of Lilah, and that was why I was always fighting with Caelan. But no one ever considered that Caelan and I were mates, and she was the intruder.

His tone was impatient. "Am I wrong? You are jealous of Lilah! Why can't you just admit it? Everyone can see it! She's prettier than you, and I'm still with you. Shouldn't you cherish me more for that?"

Seeing no reaction from me, he snatched the shawl Lilah had left on the table and stalked off. That night, Caelan must have realized he'd gone too far, because he sent a gift to apologize. "Corina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. These are moonlit flowers, your favorite. I picked them myself."

My gaze fell on another bag, and a sick feeling rose in my gut. I asked, "What's this?"

"That's for Lilah. She likes them too. You can drop it off for her on your way to your cottage."

Even his apology came with a side gift for Lilah. A wave of indignation washed over me, a lump forming in my throat. "Caelan, haven't you noticed you've changed?"

"Haven't you noticed you've changed?" he retorted.

Tears welled in my eyes, my voice choking. "I've changed? Yes, I have. Lilah's constant ostracism and belittling have made my inner wolf anxious and sensitive. I feel like I'm being torn apart from the inside!"

"Don't you dare talk about her like that! She's not that kind of person!" The speed with which he defended Lilah was jarring, each word another needle in my heart.

After that bitter argument, we fell into a cold war, one that lasted longer than any before.

He and Lilah started appearing everywhere together. Everyone assumed they were a couple.

One day, Lilah asked to talk. She led me to the pack's forbidden grounds. When I arrived, she looked as if she were being consumed by dark magic, swaying on her feet. I had no choice but to help support her as we walked. On the way, we were cornered by two rogue Omegas.

I was terrified but feigned composure and immediately sent a distress signal to Caelan through our mind-link.

Lilah took the opportunity to push me away. "Corina, go get help! I'll hold them off. The patrol is just ahead, go get them!"

I couldn't think of a better plan, so I turned and ran. By the time I returned with backup, I saw only Caelan cradling a frightened Lilah in his arms.

"Are you okay?" I breathed, relieved that nothing serious had happened.

The next second, Lilah's words shattered my world. "I just wanted to explain things to you, but you lured me to the forbidden grounds. Was it so they could defile me? Was this your plan? Do you hate me that much? Is it because you're jealous of my bloodline?"

The barrage of questions left me reeling. "What are you talking about? No! That's not what happened!"

But Caelan just shoved me violently to the ground.