Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Ian told me that that day was special.

In front of the maids, he carried me into the passenger seat of the car.

As the SUV jolted through the rugged forest terrain, I already knew that he was taking me to the hunting grounds deep within the pack's territory.

Halfway there, the car pulled to a stop. Ian grabbed his phone to step out and take a call at a distance.

While I waited in the car, I absentmindedly opened the glove compartment, where a pair of red lace panties belonging to another she-wolf was lying in plain sight.

I slammed it shut immediately, covered my mouth, and threw open the door, rushing to the bushes to retch.

Ian came over with his brows drawn tight.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "The elders have already arrived. The victory feast is about to begin. Can't you hold on until the party's over?"

"Okay."

I wiped the corner of my mouth and caught a glimpse of my pale face in the side mirror. A mocking smile tugged at my lips when I realized that this was the man I had loved for a decade.

His concern for me always came after his own interests.

I had actually thought that when he said it was a special day, he'd remembered it was the fifth anniversary of our bonding ceremony and the tenth anniversary of the day we started dating.

During the victory feast later that day, Ian held my hand tightly, displaying our intimacy and bond in front of every werewolf in the pack.

Praises and compliments quickly poured in.

My face felt stiff from smiling so much as I struggled to keep myself from recoiling every time our skin touched.

Ian seemed to sense my resistance, so he slipped an arm around my shoulders and began stroking my skin with his fingers.

"My Luna, you look beautiful today," Ian whispered.

He tilted his head, letting his warm breath brush against my sensitive ear.

In the past, a gesture this intimate would have made my heart race, but now, it just made me feel sick.

"You look handsome as well, my Alpha," I said.

I looked up into his eyes, which were filled with a deep, soulful look. I used to drown in the tenderness I saw there, but now I could only see my own reflection.

I looked like a puppet dressed in beautiful clothes, smiling exactly when she was supposed to.

As the party reached its peak, Ian took Perla by the hand and slowly led her to the center of the stage.

Everyone turned to look at me with curiosity written all over their faces.

It was obvious to everyone there that Ian's behavior toward Perla had crossed the line a long time ago.

Despite that, the smile on my face didn't falter for a second. I was busy calculating which escape route would get me out of there the quickest.

Before the celebration wrapped up, I approached Ian and told him I wanted to stay alone at the Sacred Spring that night to pray for the pack.

It was an ancient and sacred tradition. As the pack's Alpha, he was more than happy to have me handle the ritual on his behalf.

"I'll have Landon arrange for guards to stay with you," he said, his brows furrowing. He was clearly reluctant to let me out of his sight.

Even as he spoke, his eyes were practically glued to Perla, who was standing nearby in a striking red dress.

"That won't be necessary. Spending the night alone is the only way to show true sincerity," I reminded him. "You were the one who told me that, after all."

I raised my head and met his eyes.

After a brief hesitation, Ian pulled me into an embrace and kissed my forehead.

"Then come back as soon as you're done. I can't sleep without you beside me," he said.

I nodded, smiling.

Later that night, the rogue had a messenger deliver a bottle of medicine.

"Once you drink this, the bond between you and Alpha Ian will be completely severed, and it can never be restored."

I tipped my head back and swallowed the entire thing in one gulp.

My wolf let out a mournful howl as my heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest.

The entire world lost its color and became a strange, grey place.

I was drenched in cold sweat as I lay beside the Sacred Spring, clenching my teeth against the pain tearing through my body.

Everything started to go black, and I vowed that this would be the last time I'd ever hurt for Ian.