chapter 3

After saying that, Avra casually lowered herself onto the piano bench and began playing a flowing melody called "To Alice."

Louis hesitated briefly, and a wave of nostalgia softened his expression.

The affection in his gaze toward Avra was undeniable.

When the last note faded, Catherine felt her heart grow cold and heavy.

By nature, she loved freedom. Back then, for Louis and to become a proper Luna, she had forced herself to learn all the manners she didn't care for.

Ballroom dancing, playing the harp, painting illuminated manuscripts… but in the end, she still couldn't compare to Louis' first love, Avra.

"Oh! I forgot you were here, Catherine! Sorry, I was just caught up in the moment—please don't misunderstand…"

At that moment, Louis snapped back to reality, a hint of awkwardness crossing his face.

"Catherine, you wouldn't be petty, right?"

Forget it… I'm leaving anyway.

Catherine lowered her eyes and nodded weakly, and Louis let out a sigh of relief.

After seeing Avra off, Louis held her close, soothing her. "Don't be upset, Catherine. Tomorrow I'll clear my schedule and take you skiing, okay?"

Since Louis was almost always buried in work and rarely had free time for her, Catherine pushed herself to keep a cheerful front.

But the next day at the ski resort, they unexpectedly ran into Avra again, this time accompanied by several women with hostile expressions.

"What a coincidence! Alpha, you're here too! Looks like you and Avra are really fated!"

"Hey, why is that Rogue here too? With that silly face, can she even ski properly?"

Avra's friends mocked Catherine without restraint.

Louis's expression darkened immediately.

"If you want to bark, go bark somewhere else! Don't get in Catherine's way!"

The women immediately fell silent, though they still glared at Catherine with resentment.

At that moment, Avra smiled gracefully. "Louis, why don't you go teach Catherine how to ski? We'll head to the advanced slopes."

With that, she neatly tied back her long hair, exuding confidence and flair.

Louis's eyes were drawn to her, and in a hoarse voice, he said, "No need, we'll go to the advanced slopes too."

"Ah? But Catherine is a beginner… isn't that a bit dangerous?"

Louis paused, glanced at the silent Catherine, and said gently, "Catherine, don't be afraid. With me here, nothing will happen."

Catherine felt a sudden, stabbing pain in her chest, as if countless needles had pierced her heart.

She glanced at the seemingly endless stretch of the advanced slope and felt her courage waver.

She had once been betrayed by rivals while helping Louis seize power and was pushed off a sheer cliff. If not for her luck, she would have died long ago.

Ever since, she had developed a deep fear of heights.

When Louis learned this, he never let her go to high places again.

But now, for Avra, he completely disregarded her feelings.

Before Catherine could even react, he guided her to the top of the advanced slope.

He watched Avra glide effortlessly across the snowy slope, a faint, nearly imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, Catherine felt dizzy and unsteady, her legs so weak she could barely stay upright without clutching the railing along the slope.

But the next second, a powerful shove came from behind, and she instantly tumbled down the long, snowy run!

"Catherine!"

Before she lost consciousness, she heard Louis's desperate shout echoing through the air.

When she woke up, she was lying in a hospital bed, with Louis, Avra, and Avra's friends all standing around her, looking worried.

"Catherine, do you feel any pain anywhere?"

Catherine felt pain all over her body. Her wolf, Kelsey, was too weak to heal on its own and whimpered in agony.

A mate's betrayal could greatly weaken their partner's strength. On top of that, over the years, she had suffered countless injuries protecting Louis.

She gritted her teeth and said coldly, "Someone pushed me!"

Just as Catherine was about to speak further, Louis interrupted her. "Catherine, don't worry. I'll find out the truth and make sure you get an explanation."

The words Catherine wanted to say stuck in her throat.

Besides Avra, no one else had been with me at the time. Was there really any need to investigate?