No Longer Mine to Hold - Chapter 2

Anderson must have forgotten his promise, as he suddenly paused his insults toward me.

Before he could come up with some half-hearted excuse, I heard Rhys say, “Irene, are you even part of this pack? Do you think everyone is like you, desperate to fight other she-wolves for attention?

“Will you have the nerve to continue staying here if you ever jeopardize the pack’s interests? When will you understand that neither I, nor the Alpha nor the entire pack, revolves around you?”

The call disconnected.

At the altar, Leah was still nestled in Anderson’s arms. She reached out and gently caressed Rhys’s cheek, smiling as she said, “Don’t be mad. Irene has been like this since she was little.

“It’s my happiest day today. Instead of thinking about her, shouldn’t you be looking at me?”

Rhys blushed under her touch.

The pack gathered around Anderson and Leah, and their faces were filled with satisfaction.

They didn’t revolve around me but around Leah.

As Luna, I mattered less than a beggar on the side of the road.

I scheduled an appointment for an abortion and walked away without looking back.

If 12 years of love and devotion weren’t enough to move Anderson, then I had no reason to keep trying.

By the time I found a place to stay, it was already late. Too much had happened today, and I closed my eyes with exhaustion.

I hadn’t been asleep long when the ringing of my phone startled me awake.

My healer mentor shouted anxiously, “Irene, there’s been a massive avalanche near the altar! Get to the scene and help right away!”

He had no time to explain further before hanging up.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Maybe I really shouldn’t have come here last night.

Anderson was close to where the avalanche struck. I picked up my phone, thinking of calling to check on him, but I must have accidentally tapped something else, as I saw Leah’s latest post on the public platform instead.

In the photo, she and Anderson stood hand in hand, both wearing glittering diamond rings.

There was a jagged scar across the back of Anderson’s hand.

It felt like that scar had reached through the screen and slashed straight across my heart.

That scar had come from the night Anderson protected me from my drunken father, who had turned on him in his wolf form.

I used to think that scar was proof he loved me. But the truth was, I had overestimated my importance to him.

My love for him vanished entirely in the face of those diamond rings.

I packed my medical kit, fully prepared to reject him.

When I arrived at the avalanche site, I saw how severe the damage was. I forced myself to set my emotions aside and did my work with the utmost professionalism.

The scale of this disaster was unlike anything even the oldest werewolves had ever seen.

Then, I noticed the remains of explosives nearby—left behind from when they had been digging at the altar site. A chill climbed up my spine.

Before I could fully process my thoughts, someone approached me from behind. I was still lost in my fear when I was suddenly shoved forward, crashing into the snow.

Jagged rocks hidden beneath the surface scraped my skin raw.

Rhys’ voice exploded behind me. “Irene, you’re worse than a plague! You tracked us here just because you’re suspicious of the Alpha. Do we need a witch to finally rid us of you? You’re disgusting!”

At some point, he had forgotten all memories of Maryanne driving our mother, Felicia Lindth, to her death. Now, all he cared about was wagging his tail for Leah.

I was done with this kind of brother.

I stood up calmly and quickly treated my wounds. Then, I took two steps forward just as Rhys opened his mouth to spew more filth and slashed him hard with my claws.

He clutched his arm, and his eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at me. He always thought I was someone who would never fight back against him.

I didn’t give him another second to waste my time. My voice was cold as ice as I said, “Don’t use your pathetic brain to make assumptions about me. If you love Leah so much, then why don’t you go ahead and put a dog tag on yourself which reads ‘Leah’s lapdog’? Crawl at her feet and lick her boots.

“This strike is what you owe me. From now on, you’re not my brother, and I’m not your sister anymore.”

I turned away, not sparing him another glance, and continued with my medical work.

Anderson arrived with Leah.

Tear tracks stained Leah’s face as she leaned weakly against Anderson, moving slowly toward me.

Anderson met my gaze. His eyes flickered as he finally voiced the excuse he must have spent the whole night preparing. “The remains of the great wolves we found yesterday were too complex. I was busy studying them and didn’t have time to celebrate your birthday with you.

“Once we’re done handling the avalanche, I’ll make it up to you with a birthday banquet…”