Chapter 2

The next morning, as soon as Ethan left, I slammed my foot on the gas and sped straight to a love hotel.

I changed into a black men's shirt. Facing the full-length mirror, I twisted my fingers into the delicate skin of my collarbone and neck.

"Ouch…"

It hurt, but it had to look real.

Ethan was a top predator. Only the deep, purplish bruises of subcutaneous bleeding could serve as proof of a night of passion.

Next came the main act—smell.

As the stand-in trying to quit, my goal wasn't to hide but to make my "adultery" known to the world. I had to project a betrayal that simply couldn't be hidden.

I sprayed cheap men's cologne and sickly sweet rose fragrance all over me.

The cheap scents tangled together. It was murky, suggestive, and utterly nauseating.

"Ugh…"

It was too much, like black ink spilled over a blank page.

Once Ethan got close, this provocative scent would invade his senses, directly challenging his pride as an Alpha King.

Now, the final step.

I left the buttons of my shirt undone to expose my skin marked with bruises. Then, with a glassy look in my eyes, I sprawled across the messy bed.

I raised my phone and adjusted the angle. The shot had to capture the perspective of a secret lover taking a photo of their conquest after the deed.

I took the photo and saved it.

Back in my own clothes and carrying the "evidence", I headed for the airport humming a tune.

…

At the airport, when Nora stepped out with her suitcase, she was glowing.

No wonder she was Ethan's fated mate. Just standing there, she had this magnetic presence that made it hard to look away.

"Freya!" She rushed over to me, but in the next second, she looked like she had hit an invisible wall.

She pinched her nose and took three steps back.

"Oh my god, Freya! Did you fall into a chemical plant? The smell on you is so overwhelming! How is Ethan's sensitive nose going to stand this?"

I tossed my hair with total indifference. "You don't get it. This is the smell of freedom."

Nora gave me a complicated look but didn't ask further.

In the car on the way back, she fidgeted nervously, her face etched with worry.

"Freya, I'm actually really scared to see Ethan. When I ran away from our bonding ceremony, I ruined his pride. I came back to spite Reynold this time. What if Ethan still hates me?"

"Don't be scared." I gripped the wheel, speeding while giving Nora a pep talk.

"Don't forget. You two are fated mates! What if you meet, and it's love at first sight? You could find out that he's your true love! Ethan is an Alpha King. He's way better than that idiot Reynold, who only pisses you off! Also…"

I glanced at the rearview mirror with a sly smile. "I also hope someone more suitable can take care of him."

Nora was left stunned by my words. "R-Really? But he already has you as his mate…"

I flashed a bright smile and said breezily, "As long as you love each other, I don't mind him becoming my brother-in-law."

…

Soon, we arrived at the palace.

Perhaps it was fate, or maybe the Moon Goddess herself was helping me set up this perfect scene.

Because not long after I parked my car, a black car pulled up behind me. Its presence radiated a murderous intent.

Ethan was back.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Nora's face went pale. "It's him… He's in the car… I can feel the pressure."

As I gazed at the black vehicle, my heart pounded rapidly, but it wasn't due to fear.

It was excitement! It was thrill! It was the rush of an atomic bomb about to destroy a prison door!

At this moment, his destined mate sat on the left, exuding an innocent charm.

On the right, I—his ex-mate with a heartbreaker vibe—held a nuclear weapon in my phone.

This was the perfect timing!

Reaching for my burner phone with its anonymous card, I pulled up the "lewd photo" I had just taken.

I entered Ethan's number and attached the photo. Then, I edited the message with the most provocative, infuriating words I could muster, aimed directly at Ethan's Alpha King pride.

"Ethan, your stand-in partner is so soft and tight. When she moans, gosh, she's a total slut. I heard your fated mate is back. Perfect. Break your mate bond with Freya and let me have her. We're a match made in heaven. I really can't wait."

The car door opened slowly. A long leg in suit trousers stepped out, cutting through the air with lethal intensity.

Now!

I slammed the "send" button, and the message was sent.

I turned off the phone, my smile stretching wide with glee.

"Come on, Ethan," I thought.

On the left was his fated true love, and on the right was his cheating mate. He'd better brace himself for the ultimate double blow!