Thora's POV: I pushed Marlon's wheelchair to a stop in the garden outside the hall. "Thora, come stand in front of me." I did as he asked, standing before him as I watched the approval in his eyes gradually intensify. "What are your thoughts about the engagement with Darius?" he suddenly asked. "No particular thoughts." I answered honestly. To me, it was just a show with Darius. Marlon paused, then nodded. "No particular thoughts are fine. Nightclaw Pack is one of the Astralis Empire's top Alpha families, and Darius stands at the very pinnacle. Although I trust his character, Alpha families have many rules. I'm afraid you might worry too much and end up unhappy."I listened quietly, occasionally responding with a soft hum of acknowledgment. "But since he said he'd marry you, he absolutely won't go back on his word. With him protecting you from now on, I can rest easier ... " He let out a soft sigh. "Grandpa." I suddenly spoke. "Yes?" "Thank you." My tone was earnest. This thanks was twofold—for the original Thora, I thanked him for years of affection, and for the current me, I thanked him for using this engagement as leverage to protect me. Though I wasn't particularly sentimental, I could tell who treated me well. Marlon smiled, then his tone grew serious. "Do you know why I'm giving you the Silverleaf Pack inheritance?" My eyes narrowed.This was the question that had always haunted me. Why did he bypass my father, my brother, and the pureblood Hazel to choose an unawakened mixed-blood like me? Marlon coughed and spoke slowly. "Our family isn't just the Alpha family of Silverleaf Pack. We're also a century-old military family. You need to understand that the pack governs the internal order of the werewolf community through bloodline and combat prowess. But a military family holds the Astralis Empire's military power and is responsible for the security of the entire Astralis Empire's territory. Military families like ours have been deeply rooted in the military for a century. Our connections, resources, and military authority have long formed a solid faction. This power far exceeds that of a single pack's tribal influence. "Whoever gains the Greens' inheritance won't just take over Silverleaf Pack. They'll also inherit the Greens' century-old foundation in the military. That's why your father is so obsessed with the inheritance."I understood now. If the inheritance fell to my father, he'd have both the pack's tribal power as his foundation and the military faction's authority as his wings. His power would far exceed what it was now. But after saying all this, Marlon still hadn't mentioned why he chose me. "Thora, I'm telling you all this because I want you to understand that the position of Silverleaf Pack heir is connected to the core power struggles within the Astralis Empire's military. You might not understand now, but you need to remember this. You must become a soldier. Can you do that?" I frowned and didn't answer immediately. I was already from a military background, but a soldier's mission ultimately meant putting your life on the line. In my past life, I fought for the Lycan King during the apocalypse. But in the end, he feared my power and conspired with my subordinates to betray me.If I became a soldier of the Astralis Empire in this life, I'd be serving this world's Lycan King. I had no intention of doing so. But being a soldier was my calling. I had nothing else. Only my military skills and convictions remained. In this life, my path would inevitably lead to the military. But this time, I'd fight only for myself. After a long silence, I brought my legs together and gave a standard military salute. That was my answer. Marlon broke into a smile, his eyes full of satisfaction. "Good! Excellent! You're truly my granddaughter! "I know you've been waiting for an answer. Why didn't I give the inheritance to your father but gave it to you instead?" He finally circled back to the main topic. I nodded. "Yes.""There are two reasons," Marlon spoke methodically. "First, because of your mother." "My mother?" I frowned. "That's right. When she married your father, your maternal grandfather didn't approve. It's already difficult for a human to marry into a werewolf military family. I mediated between them, which is how the marriage happened." He sighed. "Your mother was kind and gentle, but perhaps that very gentleness is what allowed ... " "Allowed my father to fool around with other women?" I picked up where he left off, my eyes cold. "And you even suspect there's something fishy about her death?" Marlon froze, then lowered his voice to scold. "Without evidence, don't speak recklessly. But it's a fact that your father failed your mother. Giving you the inheritance is my way of compensating both you and her. "For the dead, compensation is meaningless," I said flatly. Complex emotions flickered across his face. After a long while, he finally said, "You're right. Compensation is for the living." "What's the other reason?" I pressed. "The other and most important reason is ... " Marlon paused, his gaze intense as he stared at me. That look was like he was viewing a priceless treasure. "Because of you." I was even more confused. "Because of me?"