Chapter 4

Leah POV

Jace didn't come home again last night.

But I wasn't crying anymore.

I wouldn't let him trample on my heart any longer. It was time for this to end.

I packed up everything that was mine and threw it all out.

The closet was empty, the picture frames bare, and not a single bottle remained on the vanity.

The house felt empty and clean, as if I'd never been there at all.

The next day, I let the makeup artist and stylist work their magic, making me shine.

That bright smile staring back from the mirror was my goodbye to the last two years.

When I walked up to Jace, he stared at me, eyes wide.

It took him a long moment to find his voice.

"Leah… you're so beautiful. Today is a dream come true! I've been waiting for this moment for so long."

His voice was as gentle as ever, but my heart stayed cold.

In just two hours, I'd be gone.

Jace and I stood side by side, greeting the guests.

Everyone whispered about how we were the perfect match, chosen by the Goddess herself.

"Leah, you're the most radiant Luna we've ever seen."

"Such a beautiful couple. Your little pup will be gorgeous, too."

Jace's face was a mix of happiness and tension. I could tell his mind was a million miles away.

I plastered on my brightest smile and worked the hall.

This was my moment to shine, and my perfect exit.

Then Elena arrived, wearing a dress almost identical to mine.

I wasn't sure if she was trying to copy me or if she hoped to go unnoticed on the stage.

Jace was nowhere near her, and she was nothing like the fragile woman I'd seen yesterday.

Her gaze was triumphant.

"Leah, you look so beautiful today."

She hugged me with a fake smile, leaning close to whisper with venom.

"The ceremony's going to be quite a show."

My wolf growled low, "She knows she's the one getting marked."

I calmly reassured my wolf.

"We're leaving soon anyway. I don't care."

Before Elena could hide her smirk, Jace was back by my side.

His eyes went cold as he whispered, "Elena, don't act that way around Leah."

She nodded and quickly slipped into the crowd.

The energy in the hall surged.

Robert came over with a glass of juice, shooting Jace a meaningful look.

Jace caught it instantly. He handed the juice to me, his eyes warm.

"Leah, you don't drink alcohol. Have some juice instead."

My wolf gave a sharp warning.

"Don't drink it. There's something in that cup."

I smiled and took the glass. Using the napkin as cover, I quietly poured the juice into a nearby vase.

Time was almost up.

I pretended to feel dizzy and said to Jace, "I'm so tired. Can you take me somewhere to rest?"

He led me to the VIP room and helped me onto the sofa, gently placing a blanket over me.

"Rest now, Leah. When you wake up, everything will be settled."

After he left, I heard the music in the hall pick up. The ceremony for him and Elena was about to begin.

I jumped up from the sofa, quickly changed into my casual clothes, and took a cab to the airport.

The flight took off smoothly.

Bored, I opened Robert's live stream.

The camera showed Jace and Elena on stage, gazing at each other with deep affection.

The guests whispered excitedly about the upcoming marking ceremony.

Suddenly, one of Jace's men, looking flustered and out of breath, rushed onto the stage and whispered something in Jace's ear.

Jace's face went completely white.