Chapter 2

Camelia's POV

The morning light filtered through the Shadow Forest, hitting my face in patches, but it couldn't reach the hollow space where my heart used to be.

Last night, when I told Eugenia I was breaking the bond, she just pulled me into a tight hug.

"Don't be scared, Camelia," she whispered, her voice rock-steady. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

She took me out of the Ironclaw territory to a hidden shifter bar in downtown LA.

The cheap, burning liquor scorched my throat as I watched the crowd lose their minds on the dance floor. For the first time, the "mating bond" felt like a lead shackle around my neck.

Alcohol didn't numb me. It made everything sharper.

I knew that to walk away from Esmond for good, I needed more than just a plan—I needed leverage.

My father's medical bills were currently tied to the Ironclaw's payroll.

I had to get back to work and get my own money. Financial independence was my only real shot at freedom.

When I finally left the bar and walked back into our villa, the lingering scent of last night's candles made me want to gag.

I ignored the cold dinner still sitting on the table and went straight to the bedroom. I dragged out my huge suitcase and started tossing my clothes in, one by one.

My fingers had just brushed against a silk scarf we'd bought in Paris when I heard the heavy, familiar footsteps.

"Camelia?"

Esmond sounded raspy, his voice thick with a hangover.

He strode over and tried to wrap his arms around my waist from behind.

A move that used to be my favorite comfort now made my skin crawl.

I wrenched myself away, leaving his arms hanging in mid-air.

"Babe, I'm sorry." A rare flash of guilt crossed his face, his amber eyes locked onto mine. "Last night was... intense. Work went sideways. I shouldn't have snapped at you on the phone."

He leaned in again, trying to nuzzle the back of my neck.

I caught his scent—pine needles—but underneath it was the cloying, sugary scent of lemon verbena. Another woman's perfume.

"You should probably take a shower, Esmond," I said coldly, staring out the window. I couldn't even look at him. "You smell... disgusting."

He froze, letting out an awkward little laugh, clearly not realizing the jig was up. "Right. I'll go clean up. Then we can talk, okay?"

He disappeared into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of the shower filled the room, steam clouding the frosted glass.

My phone buzzed again—a text from a burner number.

I hesitated, then clicked the link.

The photo hit me like a physical blow. It was him and her, tangled in bed.

Esmond was half-naked, covered in the kind of marks that only come from a night of heavy heat.

I gripped the phone so hard my knuckles turned white.

But unlike last night's meltdown, this pain didn't break me. It just solidified my resolve.

The water cut off. Esmond stepped out with a towel around his waist, his wet blonde hair pushed back. He looked like the perfect, handsome Alpha again.

He reached for my hand, and I stepped back.

"Don't touch me," I snapped.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Camelia, why are you doing this? I told you, it was work. You can understand that, right?"

I didn't say a word.

I just glared at him, my phone feeling like a hot coal in my hand.

Esmond' eyes flickered, his hands clenching at his sides.

"You know, don't you? Fine. Let me explain—"

"Explain what?" I stood up and hurled the phone straight at his chest.

My voice was jagged with hate. "Explain how the bite marks in that photo are part of 'company business'?"

I watched his pupils contract into thin, lethal slits. My wolf was roaring inside me.

He stepped closer, his warm breath hitting my face.

"Get that bitch's scent off you before you talk to me," I growled, staring at the fresh bite on his collarbone. "You could have rejected her..."

His Alpha aura exploded, heavy and suffocating. His hand shifted into claws, pinning me by the back of my neck. "Shut up! She was in heat, okay? My wolf lost control. It was just a mistake..."

I took a breath and forced my voice to stay steady. "Do you remember what I told you when you proposed?"

I told him then that if he ever betrayed me, I wouldn't forgive him. I'd just leave.

Esmond' face paled. "I'm not letting you leave! Just give me one more chance. She's just a secretary. If you don't like her, I'll fire her. She'll be gone."

"Cheating isn't a job performance issue, Esmond. It's over," I said. "I've already decided. I'm going to the Alpha and Luna. I'm filing for a formal rejection."

Esmond lunged at me, trying to close the gap. "Camelia, don't do this. You need me. And I need you."

My wolf, Lyra, snarled. She hated him now.

"Get away from me!" I screamed. "Don't you ever come near me again!"