Chapter 3

Kaelen came back the next morning.

The collar of his suit was slightly open, and he smelled of a perfume that didn't belong in this house.

I was sitting at the dining table, slowly stirring a cup of coffee that had long gone cold.

"Avril." He sat down across from me, looking a little awkward. "About last night, I'm sorry."

I looked up at him.

"Eileen... her health has always been poor. She came down with a fever in the middle of the night, and there was no one to look after her, so I had to stay," he explained quickly. "I don't have any other feelings for her, really. We grew up together. I just see her as a little sister."

A sister you kiss like that?

"I know," I gave him a small smile. "You're a loyal man. I've always known that."

Kaelen stared at me.

He probably expected me to cry, to make a scene, to grab his sleeve and ask him why like I used to.

"You're... not mad?" he asked tentatively.

"Why would I be mad?" I took a sip of my coffee. "She's family."

A flicker of panic crossed his face.

"Avril," he reached for my hand. "I'm not going anywhere for the next few days. I'll stay home with you."

The words were barely out of his mouth when the doorbell rang.

It was Eileen.

The bandage was still on her hand, and her eyes were red, as if she'd just been crying.

"Kaelen..." she said softly. "I haven't been back in so long, I don't know my way around the pack lands anymore... Could you show me around?"

She turned to me, her eyes timid. "You wouldn't mind, would you, Avril?"

Kaelen's expression was instantly torn. He opened his mouth, as if to refuse.

"Go ahead," I said first, my smile gentle. "Eileen just got back. She should get reacquainted with the place."

Kaelen looked at me, a strange glint in his eyes.

"Avril," he squeezed my hand, his tone serious. "On the night of the full moon, I'll be back to watch the meteor shower with you. I promise."

"Okay," I nodded. "I believe you."

He seemed pleased with how "understanding" I was. He leaned down and gave me a hug.

I didn't hug him back. I just watched him turn and leave.

Over the next few days, my phone was a constant stream of photos from Eileen.

Kaelen with his arm around her waist on the red carpet of a business summit.

Him, peeling shrimp for her at a candlelit dinner.

Her, snuggled in his arms on the deck of a private yacht, watching the sunset.

"He says he can finally relax when he's with me. That you're too boring, Avril."

"Do us all a favor and give up the Luna title already."

But all those things were things I had once wanted to do with him.

And every time, he'd said, "Avril, an Alpha shouldn't indulge in such pleasures."

I didn't reply to a single photo. I was busy packing.

The wedding portrait from our Mating Day came off the wall and went into the fireplace.

The dried bouquet of the first roses he ever gave me went into the trash.

Piece by piece, I erased Kaelen from the manor.

Three days before the full moon, Kaelen finally came home.

He pushed open the door and froze.

The house didn't look that different, but it felt... empty.

"Avril," he frowned. "Why have the decorations changed? And where's our portrait?"

"I wanted to change things up," I said, walking out of the study, my voice flat. "I got tired of the old things. The portrait... I'm just getting it reframed."

His expression softened, and he didn't ask any more questions.

He walked straight to his safe and took out a sapphire brooch.

I remembered that brooch. When he'd bought it at auction, he said it would be my anniversary gift.

"I'm borrowing this," he said without looking back. "Eileen has a charity gala tomorrow, and her dress will be perfect with it."

I watched his back and spoke softly. "Does it have to be that one?"

"Don't worry," he stopped at the door, turning to give me a reassuring smile. "I'll get you something better."

The moment the door clicked shut, I looked away and let out a slow breath.

It wasn't just the brooch.

It was him. I didn't want any of it anymore.