Chapter 1

Thea's POV

Hearing what I said, the innocent look on Ryder Jones' face froze.

"Thea Thornton, so now, you don't even believe your own brother or Talia, the person you trust the most? Maybe you should go to the Moon Goddess Temple to cleanse your soul. If you can't even trust your own family, how am I supposed to prove my innocence?"

His golden eyes darkened like storm clouds before the rain. "If we don't even have the most basic trust between us, then maybe we really should dissolve our mate bond."

Ryder didn't take my words seriously. He thought I was just throwing a tantrum. After all, everyone in the pack knew how much I loved him.

I looked at him quietly, at the face I'd loved for five years. I asked softly, "Ryder, do you remember what today is?"

He froze, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

I hadn't expected him to know either. I laughed quietly. "Today's my birthday and also our fifth anniversary since we became mates."

Ryder's expression shifted. Just as he opened his mouth to explain, his phone rang.

"I have something to do. Stay home and think about what you've done. I'll pretend none of this happened." With that, he slammed the door behind him.

I had no intention of sitting around waiting. Using the lingering scent he left behind, I slipped out and followed him.

Half an hour later, I stood outside the fence of a large villa. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw a lively celebration inside. It was a Moon Blessing ceremony for a newborn pup.

The room was full of familiar faces. And the shewolf at the center of the crowd was wearing the same hair tie I'd first found in Ryder's jacket pocket. On her wrist was the bracelet I'd picked up from the corner of our bedroom the fifth time.

The moment I saw her face, the composure I'd been forcing myself to maintain broke. How could it be her?

A month ago, as the pack's chief healer, I had been treating Vera Wallace's wound when she noticed an air bubble in her IV line. Her family accused me of medical malpractice, claiming I'd allowed air into her bloodstream. They filed a lawsuit and dragged me before the Council.

During the confrontation, Vera's bodyguard pushed me down a flight of stairs. I suffered multiple fractures, and my duties as a healer were suspended.

And now, my younger brother, Zane Thornton, the lawyer who had once busied himself helping me settle disputes, was busy shielding Vera from drinks as guests raised toasts to her.

My best friend, Talia Stone, who had argued with the elders for me and stayed up all night writing appeals on my behalf, was now cheerfully greeting Vera's guests.

As for Ryder, the man who had just told me to stay home and reflect on myself… He was the cruelest joke of all.

"Ryder, you're late. Don't you think you should make it up to Vera?"

Smiling, he wrapped an arm around Vera's waist. Amid the crowd's cheers, he lowered his head and kissed her.

Watching the scene, I felt like a silver blade was repeatedly slicing my heart.

Only then did I realize they were Vera's family. They were the ones who had seized on that "accident" that was never really an accident, dragging the matter before the Council. Because of them, I lost the elders' trust, and I was suspended from practicing as a healer.

Rage blazed through my chest. So, this was what it felt like to be made a fool of by everyone working together.

Then, the phone in my pocket vibrated. It was a transfer order from the Council.

"Healer Thea, following deliberation by the Council, your transfer request has been approved. Please report to the border pack of Mistwood Forest within three days."