"After this, we will be going to the capital for your dress fitting," Lucretius said when we were on our way to the training grounds.

My heart had already calmed down from his teasing earlier.

I couldn't believe that I had to be honest with him at all times, and it seemed like there was no way that I could tell a lie. Even if it was a white lie.

It felt like Lucretius would easily know if I lied to him or not, as if he had marked me as his mate. I knew that when you both marked each other or at least, the other party marked their mate, they could be able to read your feelings and thoughts as if they were an open book.

Now, I felt like the contract itself had similarities with a mating ritual. What if there was something I didn't know that giving myself to him for the first time had caused him to read me fully?

Was there such a thing? Or was I just imagining things?

"My wedding gown?" I asked casually. That was what I could think of as to why he had brought it up.

He shoved his hand in the pocket of his trousers, nodding his head. "And a ball gown for you." Then, he fished out his pocket watch from his breast pocket and glanced at the time before turning to me. "You'll be attending my birthday party in two weeks, where I'll formally introduce you as my bride-to-be and the future Luna of the Golden Eclipse Pack."

I held my breath, my stomach churning. At his birthday party? Was he being serious?

"Oh." It was the only thing I could think of to respond.

It somehow felt surreal that I was engaged to this man. I couldn't believe that I managed to grasp him because I had piqued his interest. Now, he wouldn't want to let go of me. 

That confirmed that it felt like I had invisible chains around my neck that he branded me as his own.

But if he wanted me to have everything while I gained his power and his name, I would be unstoppable. Even Redmund couldn't touch me. Lilith, too.

"You sound like you want to back out."

"I didn't say that." My eyes glared in his direction, making a face, but he only smirked as if my reaction entertained him. "Now, I know that you are really that annoying, Commander Lucretius." I faked a smile. "I heard some gossip, but now, I have witnessed it..." I huffed.

There weren't rumors. This man had the inkling of getting on someone's nerves, despite that he looked frightening.

His grin deepened. "I shall take that as a compliment." His hand brushed mine briefly.

My eyes almost widened at that touch, uncertain if that was an accident or a coincidence. It made my heart flutter somehow. But, good thing, I was frowning to hide the feeling of bashful tickling me.

As we crossed the last corridor and stepped onto the training grounds, I could hear the loud clang of weapons and shouts of sparring soldiers from the training arena. Some of them were in their wolf forms while in training, howls and growls filled the air.

Suddenly, it felt like I was back in my pack. Nostalgia filled my whole being, and I suddenly missed those days when I was training our pack warriors.

The squadrons from different commanders and units had halted their drills when Lucretius appeared. Every soldier saluted in his direction as he just walked past them with a nonchalant expression. 

I couldn't help but steal a glance. Even though he didn't stay a lot in the camp, Lucretius still exuded with commanding and stern presence. 

His authority didn't waver and still loitered all over the grounds, and I felt how heavy it was.

As we approached his units, everyone halted their drills. "At ease," he commanded, his voice carrying with fierce and unbending tone while gazing at them with a stony expression.

I kept my gaze forward as my heart was pounding upon seeing Redmund standing among the captains at the front, his eyes were narrowing the instant he laid his eyes on me. Same reaction Lilith had.

I could see the bewilderment plastered on their faces while I remained expressionless.

I had longed to see their faces again. The last time we had met, they were belittling me and slapped in my face how they lied to me and betrayed me until my heart shattered into pieces.

Facing them again in the form of Lucretius' assistant was something I had wanted to be part of my revenge.

Lucretius moved with swift confidence, his presence could command a battalion if he had been promoted to be a General. He motioned me forward, and suddenly, I was standing beside him before his assembled squadrons, emitting poise and composure.

"This is Euphyllia Ruinart," he announced, gesturing his hand at me. His deep voice echoed throughout the grounds. "From today onward, she serves as my assistant. When she speaks on my behalf, you will treat it as if I have spoken myself. Understand?"

"Yes, Commander!" a chorus of voices answered in unison.

I could feel my body shivering at the discipline they had. It was admirable, yet I could still feel the weight of certain stares.

The way Lucretius felt like my work position was something equivalent to a second-in-command role.

As I bowed my head before them, I simply glanced at Redmund and Lilith, emphasizing my presence to them. Their reaction was truly interesting when I caught their jaws dropping in shock. 

Moments later, Redmund's jaw tightened, his lips pursing into a thin line. Lilith, on the other hand, didn't bother to hide her disdain. But her expression changed into an innocent one when Lucretius' gaze swept past her.

"Good." His cold tone brought chills down my spine as he spun around to take his leave. "Also, dispatch Alpha and Bravo team in the Auritaurie for scouting missions. Your teams' presence is needed, Sawyer, Ainsworn." His eyes darted at two of the captains under his unit.

The men named Sawyer and Ainsworn stepped forward and saluted before him. "Roger that, Commander."

Lucretius nodded in response. "Alright. That's all." His head turned toward me. "Let's go, Euphyllia," he said before dismissing his squadrons with a curt wave, and they scattered back into drills as if nothing had happened.

My eyes stayed at Redmund and Lilith as my lips stretched into a small smile, silently telling them that they had just made an enemy who had been granted an ally. And one wrong move from them would be enough for me to annihilate them.

I turned my back on them, raising my chin as I followed Lucretius behind. I was able to breathe out when my back was facing them, as the confidence that had exhausted me earlier had now dissipated.

Lucretius slowed down from walking and matched my pace, causing me to turn to him. "How are you feeling, my little soldier?" he asked, only the two of us could hear, his gaze intended to be meaningful.

I knew that I should be frowning at the endearment, but right now, it did make me feel right. I licked my lips and drew out a small smile.

"I feel satisfied seeing their priceless expressions," I responded, being honest about my feelings. "Have you seen your nephew's expression? He looked upset and shocked."

My wolf felt proud of me that I was able to face them. 

The wounds they imprinted on me would be eternally unforgotten. The scars would be a reminder that I would never forgive those two.

Sooner or later, they would know that I would gain more power once Lucretius introduced me as his fiancée. 

I couldn't wait to see what expressions Redmund and Lilith would have. I would make sure that making me their enemy was a huge mistake.

"That is good to hear." He nodded, his eyes slightly lowered to my lips.

I held my breath, knowing that look. I could have sworn that if only it were just the two of us alone, he would be able to capture my lips and catch me off guard.

If he did that, I had a feeling that my wolf would even urge me to kiss him back.

I hastily castigated myself for thinking something lewd at this moment.

"Uncle!" 

A voice reverberated from a distance. At first, Lucretius ignored it as we continued walking, but I had a hunch already as to who it was just by hearing that desperation call.

"Uncle Lucretius!"

In my peripheral vision, Lucretius' expression hardened as he came to a halt. I did the same, turning around to see Redmund running towards our direction while Lilith was catching up to him.

Oh? What was this? 

What I had been expecting from Redmund's reaction was happening now.

"Uncle!" Redmund called one more time, reducing his speed the moment he was in front of us. 

Lucretius, whose expression was unreadable and colder, was just looking at his nephew without uttering a word.

Redmund squared his shoulders, his eyes blazing in frustration as he ignored my presence. "Uncle, why was I not informed that you already have an assistant? You know I filed a petition months ago to serve as your assistant. Lieutenant Leofrick knows that. And now you suddenly appoint..." he paused, his gaze finally snapped at me. "...someone so insignificant?"

I couldn't help arching my eyebrow at the way he described me. My blood started to boil as bitterness gnawed my whole being.

The audacity of this man calling me insignificant...

Had he forgotten everything I did to help him reach the captain position, something even his uncle wouldn't do by granting him a promotion, and instead just used me for his own benefit? 

You were such a devil in disguise, Redmund. I couldn't believe that my wolf and I had loved you for a year after we learned you were our mate.

How I wished I could utter those words. But I remained still, staying in the shadows.

I mustn't show them that provoking me wasn't going to work this time.

A murmur rippled among the soldiers and instantly died down when Lucretius summoned his hand to silence them.

Still with his nonchalant expression, his authority never wavered. He didn't look bothered at how Redmund just escalated the matter by letting everyone know through yelling.

"Your petition was considered," he said evenly, "and denied."

Redmund's jaw clenched, but before he could speak again, Lucretius took a step closer, towering over his nephew with his overpowering and menacing aura and speaking to him with a deadly calm tone that was enough to shake someone's knees.

"I do not need assistants who clamor for titles like spoiled children." His gaze swept briefly over the squadrons before landing back on Redmund. "I personally recommended Euphyllia Ruinart for this position because she is the finest Tactical Keeper I have seen. A Strategic Commander requires precision, foresight, and loyalty—not ambition dressed as entitlement."

I gulped when whispers softly echoed in our direction. Saying that to everyone would make me garner everyone's attention. I knew that they would think of me that I was special, but really, I wasn't.

I only did my best to be in this position, and being granted to be personally recommended by a commander was such an honor, even if that man was the person I gave myself to.

But sometimes, I secretly wished it were Commander Rachelle.

I really wanted to thank her for being our hero for women.

Lucretius slightly tilted his head, his eyes piercing at Redmund, who couldn't utter a word. "If you're feeling this upset, maybe it's time to reflect on yourself. She..." He bestowed a quick glance. "...earned her place beside me. You merely asked for it."

Gasps rose among the soldiers who had witnessed the humiliation. Redmund was now rendered speechless, his eyes turning bloodshot from his uncle's words.

Lucretius' hand casually tapped against my shoulder, a kind of gesture that I did a job well to be in this position. It was like the effort I had worked for had paid off.

"Now, return to your duties, Captain," he commanded coldly. His expression never changed and remained intact. "Before I begin to question if even that rank suits you."