After My Mate Threw Me to Snakes, I Chose His Rival

I nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

Hugo cleared his throat, his gaze oddly evasive as he looked at me. “I know that as the Luna of the South Pack, you’re expected to have a mate who serves by your side for the sake of lineage. I’m willing to honor the arrangement, but I have one condition—you must allow me to be with the woman I love.”

I froze, staring at him in disbelief.

“Hugo, do you even understand what it means to be a mate?”

His face flushed, then paled, his jaw tightening. “Gwendolyn, you know I don’t feel anything for you. What’s the point of forcing me to stay by your side?”

“If you don’t want to be my mate, then go to your beloved. I won’t force you. I’ve never been short of wolves willing to stand by me as Luna.”

Hugo’s temper flared, his voice sharp. “Gwendolyn, what are you trying to say?!”

Before I could respond, a woman suddenly rushed forward and dropped to her knees in front of me. It took me a moment to recognize her—Norah, Hugo’s so-called “true love.”

“Luna Gwendolyn,” she began, her voice trembling, “I know I’m nothing compared to you. Someone like me doesn’t deserve to stand in your presence. But please, don’t blame Hugo. If you’re angry, direct it at me, not him!”

I frowned, confused. When had I ever said I was angry with her?

“Get up—”

I reached out to help her to her feet, but Hugo abruptly shoved me aside, pulling Norah into his arms.

“Norah, don’t kneel to her. You’re worth a hundred of her in my eyes. If it weren’t for her jealousy, you’d still be the greatest healer in the werewolf community, overshadowing her completely.”

I nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all.

In my past life, Hugo had been convinced that I was the one who sabotaged Norah during the Healer Trials, causing her to lose her position. He refused to believe that her incompetence—not some imagined plot of mine—was what had led to her downfall.

After the integration of modern medicine with our pack’s traditional healing methods, the South Pack had risen to prominence. As Luna and head healer, I’d dedicated myself to advancing our techniques, earning respect across all packs. Yet Hugo had always clung to his delusions, accusing me of using my authority to silence the truth.

In my past life, I’d gone to great lengths to prove my innocence, gathering testimony from every judge involved in the trials. But Hugo had dismissed it all, sneering, “You’re the Luna of the South Pack. Who would dare speak against you?”

Now, as I stood there, his words echoed in my mind, a bitter reminder of how blind he’d been.

“Hugo,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface, “if you truly believe Norah is the one for you, then go to her. But don’t insult me by pretending you’re doing me some great favor by agreeing to this arrangement. You’re not the only wolf in the world.”

Hugo’s face twisted with anger, but before he could respond, Norah clung to him, her eyes wide with feigned innocence.

“Please, Luna Gwendolyn,” she whispered, “I don’t want to come between you and Hugo. I’ll leave if that’s what you want.”

I exhaled sharply, my patience wearing thin. “Norah, this isn’t about you. This is about Hugo’s inability to accept the truth. If he wants to be with you, he’s free to do so—just not as my mate.”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold. “You’re just jealous, Gwendolyn. Jealous that Norah’s wolf is stronger than yours.”

This time, I did laugh, the sound sharp and humorless. “Jealous? Hugo, if that’s what you need to tell yourself to sleep at night, then go ahead. But don’t delude yourself into thinking I’d ever stoop to your level.”

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving them standing there, their whispers of indignation fading behind me.