Chapter 2

Joe clearly hadn’t expected me to do something like this. His brows knitted together, face darkened.

I turned and walked away, ignoring the stunned looks from the two behind me. The burn on my arm throbbed again, sharper than before.

My love for him had already died during that month in the hospital — a month of painful treatment and endless silence from him. No calls. No visits. Just one simple Facebook message: Go get some rest. I’m busy with work.

I didn’t even realize he had followed me until I felt his shadow behind me. Joe’s arms wrapped around my waist, his face pressed into the curve of my neck, his breath brushing against my skin.

“Emma and I grew up together,” he murmured. “She gets jealous whenever I talk about marriage. About the engagement… don’t take it to heart. It’s my mother—she insists Emma must become the Luna of the Smith family. But to me, she has always been my sister. You and I can still be together…”

“I don’t care,” I cut him off, pulling myself out of his arms. “No need.”

We had been together for five years. I had once been so close to him that nothing felt forbidden. But now, his touch only filled me with disgust.

Joe’s expression twisted, he gazed at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. The obedient, considerate Carol knew he was gone.

“She and you grew up together,” I said quietly. “You’ve known her longer than me. The engagement is your mother’s will. I won’t interfere.”

“Relax, Joe. After all, it's your family business. I don't know the Whites as well as Emma does. I’m really quitting. Not out of jealousy, not out of spite.” My tone stayed level.

He let out a sigh of relief unconsciously. "I know you're the most considerate. I… …"

Before he finished, Emma’s voice drifted from the office.

“Joe, where did you put my lingerie? The lace one…”

Our eyes met. She froze for a second, then blinked innocently. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you were still here. Joe and I have spent so much time together lately; I just suddenly forget you’re still his girlfriend.”

I gave a faint, indifferent smile. “Never mind.”

Then I turned and left the vineyard.

The next morning, my phone rang. My father. He must have heard I’d been left.

“Carol,” his deep voice came through the line, “how are you feeling? I’m getting old, sweetheart. I just want you to come home to me. All these years, you’ve been following Joe around — no title, no status — and still letting his family mock you.”

“Come back soon and help me run our family business. You’ve done so much for Joe, but in the end, he still thinks you’re just after his land and that damn vineyard.”

My father used to say that, and I would always argue with him—because I loved Joe.

I did know that the Blood Moon Pack was the largest, the wealthiest, the most powerful—none of it mattered. Not compared to being with the man I loved.

But now, my throat feels tight, words trapped somewhere between pain and pride.

These five years in the Silver Claw Pack… I’ve never ever found my place. Neither in the vineyard nor in Joe’s heart.

“When are you coming back? I’ll get things ready for you.”

A faint ache rises in my chest. In eight days, it will be the five-year anniversary of my relationship with Joe.

“In eight days,” I said quietly. “Once I finish everything here, I’ll come back.”

I hung up the phone—only to realize Joe was already standing behind me, watching.

He frowned slightly, leaning closer to see the caller ID name on my screen.

“Eight days? Who were you talking to?”

I flipped the phone face down on the table, pretending not to care.

“A friend. We are going to travel.”

“What do you mean? Who will handle other matters of the vineyard if you leave?"

He pressed his lips together, clearly not understanding why I had to sulk.

I almost laughed. Was he just too used to having a free employee who also happened to warm his bed?

“Not necessary,” I said flatly.

My tone made something in him flicker with irritation, but before he could speak, Emma’s voice drifted up from downstairs.

“Joe, dinner’s ready! Don’t keep Mom and Dad waiting!”

The words made my fingers tremble slightly. I looked up at him.

When Joe and I had just gotten together, his parents had despised me—saw me as a poor girl from some backwater pack, unworthy of their Alpha son.

But back then, Joe would always take me to every family gathering, standing beside me without hesitation, defying them for my sake.

He once promised me that if he was alive, there would always be a place for me in the Silver Claw Pack.