Chapter 3

The car pulled up to the Valerius estate.

Kian's mother, the former Luna Anya, was waiting on the steps.

Seeing the headlights, she rushed over.

But she walked right past Kian. And completely ignored me in the back.

She went straight to the passenger side and opened the door herself.

"Lily, finally!" Anya beamed with affection, grabbing Lily's hands to help her out. "You must be exhausted at the Pack Headquarters today. Look at you, so pale!"

Lily blushed, flattered.

She leaned into Anya, shaking her head timidly. "I'm not tired, former Luna. Kian handled so many pack disputes today. He's the tired one. I just poured him water."

"Such a good, sweet girl. Not like some people who only know how to fight." Anya laughed loudly.

Arm in arm, they walked toward the door like mother and daughter.

A few yards away, Anya finally seemed to remember me. She threw a dismissive glance over her shoulder.

I calmly got out, standing in the night breeze.

Kian walked around the car to my side.

His warm hand naturally slid to my lower back, pulling me in.

An absolute, possessive claim of a mate.

But right now, his touch burned. My stomach churned with physical disgust.

I shifted slightly, smoothly dodging his hand.

Kian grabbed empty air.

His face darkened instantly. His brows slammed together, annoyance flashing in his eyes at being rejected.

"Aurora, what is your problem?" He glared down at me, voice low, dropping a harsh warning. "Drop the attitude. I don't want to see this cold face in front of my family."

I looked up, meeting his eyes dead on.

For five years, to protect his image, I was the one who compromised. The tolerant, flawless mate.

And for what?

My nails dug into my palms. Not from sadness, but from how absurd this all was.

"I'm just in a bad mood," I shot back smoothly. "Kian, I'm not your subordinate. I don't have to walk on eggshells for you."

Kian froze.

In five years, I had never spoken to him with such venom.

His face visibly darkened. His Alpha pride couldn't handle the disrespect.

"Aurora! Watch your tone!" He grabbed my wrist, his grip terrifyingly strong, stopping just short of hurting me. "You're the future Luna. Can't you control your damn emotions? If you don't know how, go learn from Lily! Look how docile she is!"

Learn from Lily.

What a joke.

I stared at him for two seconds.

Stared at this handsome, dominant face that was so incredibly cruel to me.

"Okay." I chuckled softly. I stopped fighting and lowered my eyes obediently. "I promise."

My quick surrender shocked him again.

His rage hit a brick wall. A flash of panic he couldn't understand flickered in his eyes.

But he said nothing. He just gripped my hand tight and dragged me into the dining room.

The long table was packed with meat.

I glanced over it.

Medium-well venison. French lamb chops. And a thick soup garnished with Silver-leaf.

Anya sat at the head.

"Lily, eat more of this. I had them add your favorite sweet berries."

"Thank you, Ma'am!" Lily smiled sweetly, her eyes drifting toward me.

Anya followed her gaze. She raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with fake pity. "Aurora, I'm so sorry. You always have that cold face on. I honestly have no idea what you like. Just make do, okay?"

I didn't say a word. I just picked up my ice water and took a sip.

Kian, sitting next to me, finally sensed the tension.

Trying to smooth things over, he grabbed a spoon and scooped a bowl of the soup with Silver-leaf. He placed it in front of me.

"Drink this." His tone softened, like he was doing me a favor. Then he complained, "Mother is right. You never share what you like. You need to change that. Be more like Lily. She's simple, cute. She wears her heart on her sleeve."

I stared at the silver leaves floating in the bowl.

My throat felt like it was stuffed with wet cotton.

Silver-leaf was a common werewolf stimulant. But to me? It was a deadly allergen.

One sip, and my throat would swell shut. My wolf would crash into severe weakness.

Five years together.

He remembered Lily loved sweet berries. He remembered Lily had low blood sugar. He remembered Lily was afraid of the dark.

But he didn't even know what could literally kill me.

Not only did he not know, he stepped on my "coldness" to praise Lily's "cuteness."

Looking at that soup, I wanted to burst out laughing.

Five years. Reduced to this pathetic joke.

Bzz.

My phone vibrated faintly in my pocket.

I put the glass down and pulled it out.

An encrypted text from the Supreme Council.

[Envoy Aurora, the escort to the Northern Tundra is ready for 8 AM tomorrow. Meet at the territory border on time.]

My heart settled completely.

I didn't touch the soup. I didn't touch the silverware.

I sat up perfectly straight in my seat.

Across the table, Anya was showing Lily an expensive moonstone necklace.

Kian chimed in, indulging them, his eyes constantly drifting to Lily.

I just sat there like a spectator, watching their happy little family.

I didn't fit in.

And I didn't want to anymore.