After Refusing to be Luna, I Marked the Alpha's Shadow

"Are you sure you want to break the engagement and let Chloe marry the next Alpha of the Blackwood family in your place?"

My father, George Evans, spoke in a low, heavy voice over the phone.

"This is a blood oath set by the former Wolf King. If it weren't for the nurse switching you two at birth in the hospital, this marriage would have been yours from the start. Consider this compensation for all your years lost in the human world."

I replied calmly, "Why make it sound so noble? Isn't it just because the Blackwood family needs a female with the purest bloodline to breed their heirs? You all think that because I grew up in the human world, my wolf instincts have degraded, and I’m not good enough for them."

George’s voice turned cold. "Chloe’s bloodline is pure too!"

I let out a mocking laugh. "If she’s so pure, then let her be the future Luna."

George sounded in disbelief. "Are you sure? That is the Blackwood family. They rule the entire Dark Moon Pack of North America."

"I said what I said. I won't take it back."

I cut him off decisively. "But... I need you to agree to one condition."

"What condition?"

My voice was firm. "I want top-tier combat instructors and mental force trainers."

Once I passed the selection trials and got into the Royal Enforcer Academy in Europe, I would cut ties with the Evans pack completely.

George was silent for a moment. "I can agree to that, but ultimately, Liam has to sign off on it."

I spoke with cold certainty. "Don't worry. That arrogant Alpha will agree."

As I spoke, I looked down at the academy's training grounds below.

Under the glaring sun, Liam Blackwood stood by the field. His eyes, usually belonging to a predator, were currently fixed unblinkingly on Chloe, who was practicing her shift.

Chloe seemed to sense his gaze. She turned back and gave him a sweet smile. The sharp, aggressive aura around Liam instantly softened.

His Adam's apple bobbed, as if suppressing the wolf within him. Finally, he picked up the hoodie Chloe had carelessly tossed aside. He lowered his head and took a deep inhale of the scent lingering on it—the most primal gesture of a werewolf expressing obsession.

I gripped my phone tight, watching this scene that felt like a thorn in my eye.

Liam certainly wouldn't be angry.

In fact, he was probably desperate to get rid of his "incompetent" fiancée.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have told that massive lie just for Chloe's sake.

A year ago, I was restored to my identity as the true daughter of the Evans family and sent to this aristocratic werewolf academy.

But having grown up in a small human town, I couldn't fit into this hierarchy-obsessed pack. They saw me as a "waste"—someone with werewolf blood who was as weak as a human.

Until one day after school, when I saw several Betas from elite families bullying an "Omega" covered in bruises.

I couldn't just watch. I used the mixed martial arts I learned in the human world to save Liam.

From then on, we became best friends.

Liam said he was an illegitimate child rejected by his family and didn't want charity. So, I worked with him at a bar in the human world.

Liam said he couldn't control his shifting heat. I went to the black market overnight to buy him expensive suppressants, even using my own blood to soothe his agitation.

When Liam got into arguments with other wolves, I defended him, resulting in the whole school isolating and mocking me.

Maybe it was stupid, but in those days with Liam, I didn't feel so lonely in this cold werewolf world.

I poured all my energy, outside of training, into him.

I looked forward to awakening with Liam, expecting us to be fated mates.

Until yesterday, when I saw Liam surrounded by those elite wolves again.

I was about to rush in to save him, but then I saw those usually arrogant Betas bowing their waists, humbly lighting a cigar for Liam.

"Alpha Liam, you've been pretending to be an Omega for half a year. How much longer are you going to play this game?"

My feet were instantly nailed to the ground.

"For six months, you tricked that half-human bumpkin into working jobs, almost getting her killed by vampires. You tricked her into drawing 800ml of blood, nearly dying in the infirmary. You made her break ties with her few friends for you. Now, you're making her fight with her family and leave with nothing... Liam, that's ruthless!"

Liam carelessly spun the obsidian ring that signified his status as heir. His tone, usually feigned to be cold and distant, was now full of Alpha arrogance and disdain.

"After Harper Evans returned to the pack, she stole Chloe's parents and identity. Compared to what Chloe lost, the price Harper is paying is nothing."

"Brilliant, truly brilliant. But Liam... you spend every day with that bumpkin. Won't your wolf catch feelings for her?"

Liam acted like he heard a joke. He stubbed out the cigar, letting out a sigh.

"Would you fall in love with a stray dog that you're playing to death?"

"Continue issuing Alpha commands. No one in the school is allowed to get close to her. I'm waiting for the day she spits everything out."

In the corner, I felt a bone-chilling cold seep out from my marrow.

My body trembled uncontrollably, and my inner wolf howled in grief.

So, Liam was the heir to the Dark Moon Pack.

No wonder... no wonder when I first enrolled, knowing no one, the whole school seemed hostile toward me.

No wonder no matter how hard I tried, none of the instructors would give me a second look.

It turned out that from the moment I stepped into this academy, I had walked into a hunting trap Liam had meticulously designed for Chloe.

"I promise you."

On the phone, my father's voice pulled my thoughts back. "Remember your words. Don't regret it."

I said firmly, "I will never regret it."

I didn't want this blood oath marriage between the Evans and Blackwood families.

And I didn't want to play this hunting game Liam designed for Chloe anymore.

Before hanging up, I emphasized one last thing: "Do not tell anyone about this until the trials are over."

I didn't want this mess affecting my admission to the Enforcer Academy.

Just as I finished speaking, I turned around and saw Liam standing right behind me, asking suspiciously.

"Can't tell anyone what?"