Chapter 2

I heard Garrett stop talking on the other end of the phone.

He remembered. Finally, he remembered it was my birthday.

But before he could speak, Max grabbed the phone from him.

"Maya, why are you being such a drama queen? You think everyone cares about fighting over men like you do?"

"I'm telling you to stop making trouble! If you mess up our pack business, can you deal with the consequences?!"

"Stop acting stupid and making other people fix your problems!"

He hung up on me.

Serena leaned against Garrett's chest, her smile soft and sweet as she patted Max's head, cooing gently:

"Come on, you all know what kind of wolf Maya is."

"Today is the most important day of my life. Be good, smile for me~"

Just like that, Max melted. His angry face turned soft again.

The group of wolves continued their lively celebration under the moonlight, singing and dancing.

Their happiness had nothing to do with me.

I stood alone in the dark like some joke that everyone forgot about.

I opened my phone and scheduled the abortion appointment.

Then I turned and walked away.

I had spent twelve years trying to make someone love me back.

I was done trying.

I returned to the hotel after midnight.

I took a shower and tried to sleep, but I kept tossing and turning.

Right before sunrise, my phone rang and woke me up.

The elder from the Healing Center spoke with anxiety in his voice:

"Maya, I heard there was a rogue wolf attack in that border territory you're in yesterday. You need to get there immediately and help treat the wounded!"

He hung up without waiting for my response.

I felt nothing but bitter irony. If I'd known this would happen, I never should have come.

Resigned to my fate, I got up and opened my phone.

But I saw Serena's new social media post.

Just one photo.

In it, Serena's small, pale hand was wrapped in Garrett's large, strong one.

Both wore the expensive healing gemstone rings on their ring fingers.

I stared at the old red mark on the back of Garrett's hand. Even though my heart felt dead, it still hurt to see it.

Garrett got that scar when he was eighteen. He jumped in front of me when my stepfather threw silver water at me. The doctors tried everything, but the mark never went away completely.

I always thought it meant he loved me.

I was so stupid.

The last bit of hope in my chest finally died.

I bought some medical supplies and called my lawyer friend to write up papers to break our mate bond.

When I returned to the border territory, it was a scene of devastation.

I put my feelings aside and started helping the hurt pack members.

Something felt off about this rogue attack. It looked like they did it in a hurry without planning.

I could still see pieces of last night's fireworks on the ground. A bad thought entered my head.

But the next second, someone kicked me hard from behind.

Caught off guard, I crashed forward onto the weapons left behind by the rogue wolves.

A sharp spear that was stuck in the dirt went right through my stomach.

Max's voice came from behind me. He sounded angry.

"Maya, are you some kind of creep? Did you actually follow us here to spy on us? Are you crazy?!"

I don't know when Max forgot what our real mom looked like before Serena's mother killed her.

Now he obeyed Serena's every command without question.

I didn't want this kind of brother anymore!

I gritted my teeth through the pain and gripped the spear shaft. Blood gushed out as I pulled the weapon from my body. Though my wolf quickly began healing the wound, I was already in agony. Before the wound could fully close, I walked up to him and slapped him hard across the face.

Max's head turned from the slap. He stared at me with wide eyes. He never thought I would hit him back.

Before he could say anything, I looked at him like he disgusted me.

"Don't think so much of yourself. Since you love Serena so much, just be her little dog."

"That slap was for everything you've done. We're not family anymore."

Ignoring his furious glare, I turned away to tend to my wound.

Not far away, Garrett approached with Serena, who looked deathly pale in his arms.

A flash of guilt crossed his face as he tried to explain:

"Maya, I forgot to wish you happy birthday last night."

"After I finish this mining work, I'll come back and celebrate with you..."