Chapter 3

I had zero interest in attending the Frostfang Pack's annual ball. My bags were half-packed for the South, my heart was a closed-off vault, and the last thing I wanted was to watch Kade play the doting Alpha to his precious Sara. But then I heard he’d personally invited her. A competitive fire I thought I’d extinguished roared back to life. If I was leaving in a week, I might as well give them one last spectacular show.

The night of the ball, I pulled out all the stops. I wore the most expensive, jaw-droppingly gorgeous dress I owned. I did my makeup with meticulous care, ensuring I looked nothing less than flawless.

The grand hall was filled with the elite of the northern packs. I moved through the crowd, a vision of cool indifference, but inside, I was scanning for him. I waited and waited, but Kade was nowhere to be seen. Finally, the music softened for the host's welcome. And then I saw them.

There, at the top of the staircase, was Kade, his arm gently supporting Sara. She looked delicate in a sparkling, undoubtedly couture gown. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone turned to stare.

I heard a woman next to me sigh. "What a perfect match. They look like they stepped out of a fairy tale." Her companion nodded. "Absolutely. Look at that dress! Kade must have spent a fortune. He clearly spares no expense for her."

The look on Kade’s face as he gazed down at her was so gentle that it felt like a physical blow. He had never, ever looked at me like that.

Kade led her down to the center of the dance floor. "Welcome, everyone," his voice, strong and confident, echoed through the hall. "Enjoy the evening." His eyes then found Sara’s, and they shared a small, intimate smile that felt like a private atmosphere from which I was permanently prohibited.

I couldn't watch anymore. I turned and fled to the ladies' lounge, seeking refuge in the cool, quiet space.

I stared at my own reflection in the mirror—beautiful, polished, and utterly miserable. My wolf, Catherine, surged forward in my mind. "I told you not to come to this stupid ball! What were you hoping for?"

"You're right," I admitted, the fight draining out of me. "Some stupid, pathetic part of me was still hoping." I slammed my fist against the cool marble countertop, the sharp jolt of pain snapping me back to my senses.

I took a few deep breaths, fixed my smudged eyeliner, and walked out, my head held high. And of course, fate had a cruel sense of humor. Right there in the hallway was Sara.

"You must be Lila," she said, her voice sweet as syrup. "Kade talks about you all the time."

I offered a cold smirk and tried to brush past her, but she stepped into my path, deliberately holding up her wrist to show off a delicate bracelet set with a luminous moonstone.

"He gave me this tonight," she said, her eyes glinting with seeming innocence. "It's lovely, isn't it? He always was so thoughtful."

I felt my control snap. "Is that what you call it? Thoughtful? It must be exhausting, constantly having to be so fragile to keep his attention—"

"Lila." Kade's voice cut through the tension like a whip, followed by a low growl of Alpha command. He was suddenly there, his arm protectively around Sara's shoulders. He didn't even look at me.

"That's enough. There's no need to direct your rage at Sara."

The message was crystal clear. I was the problem. I was the one who needed to be managed. And Sara was the one who deserved his protection.

I couldn't stay another second. I left the ball and headed straight for a seedy dive bar, ordering the strongest whiskey they had.

I drank, one glass after another, losing all track of time. I don't know how long I sat there before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I looked up slowly, my vision blurry, and saw a familiar, tall figure standing under the dim bar lights.

"What's the tantrum for this time?" he said, his tone one of weary familiarity.

He'd always said that. As an orphan taken in by his pack. I had a sharp tongue and a quick temper, which often led to clashes. Whenever I was upset, I'd run to a bar to drown my sorrows. And he would always come to find me and bring me home. So many times, I'd foolishly let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, he cared for me a little.

Now, thinking back— No one was more of a bastard than him! He didn't love me, yet he still slept with me. And after, he could just return to his sanctum and gaze lovingly at photos of Sara.

"Go away!" I yelled, my eyes red-rimmed, burying my face in my arms. Kade just frowned, said nothing, and threw me over his shoulder, carrying me back to the pack compound.

"Get yourself cleaned up," he said, undoing his cufflinks, his tone brooking no argument. "You're coming with me."

I stood at my bedroom door, biting my lip. "I'm only staying for a week. In one week, I'm leaving this place for good. This is the last time." "Leaving? For good?" Kade slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Do you really think you can do that?"

His words felt like a knife twisting in my chest. So he had seen right through me all along. He knew I was desperately in love with him. And him? He could have his precious childhood goddess in his heart while coldly watching me drown in my feelings for him?

I had meant to ask, "Do you love her?" but now it just felt ridiculous. Seeing how fiercely he protected her, was there even a need to ask? I thought, fine, one last time. One last time to say goodbye. And then we spent the night in a passionate tangle, a final bittersweet moment of stolen warmth.

The next day, I slept until noon on purpose, hoping to avoid him. But when I opened my eyes, he was still there. He was sitting on the sofa, reviewing documents.

"You're awake?" he said without looking up. "Aren't you going to the office?" "It's the weekend."

Then, Kade suddenly looked up. "Get changed. You're coming to a gathering with me later." I meant to refuse, but then I thought, what did I have to lose? One last look at the world I was leaving behind. So I changed and went with him.

He took me to a private, rowdy party at an exclusive club. And of course, Sara was there. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized it was Sara's birthday party. He had brought me here to help celebrate her.

I sat listlessly in a corner, nursing a drink, feeling completely out of place. Across the room, Kade and Sara were huddled close, whispering and laughing together, lost in their own private world.

The night devolved into drinking games. Then, the worst one started. "Kade!" someone yelled. "Time to choose! The screen will show you options—pick your ideal Luna!"

The large screen flashed through images of famous models, actresses, and then... Sara. And me. My photo was up there next to hers.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kade pointed directly at Sara's picture. The crowd whooped and cheered. Sara looked down, a shy, pleased smile gracing her lips.

That was the final blow. I stood up and walked out, the sounds of their celebration fading behind me.

In the dimly lit corridor, two drunk wolves stumbled into my path. "Well, hello there, little kitten," one slurred, reaching for me. "Looking lonely. Want to play with us?" "Get lost," I snarled. "Ooh, feisty. We like that," the other said, leering.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kade appear at the end of the hall. Our eyes met for a split second. I saw him take a step toward me, until a voice cut through the noise. "Kade?" Sara's voice called from behind him. "Oh, I think I twisted my ankle again. It really hurts."

His gaze switched away from me. "Let me see," he said, his voice instantly concerned.

Sara glanced over his shoulder at me. "Aren't you going to help Lila? She seems to be in trouble."

I heard his reply, cold and clear even from a distance. "She can handle herself."

A cold laugh bubbled up inside me. Of course. He was so sure of my strength only when it was convenient for him. Without hesitation, I grabbed an empty beer bottle from a nearby ledge, smashed it against the wall, and held the jagged end toward the two drunks, my eyes glowing with fury.

"You want to play?" I hissed. "Let's play."

Their drunken bravado vanished. They stammered apologies and scrambled away.

I dropped the broken bottle, my hand trembling not from fear, but from rage. I walked back to the Frostfang compound alone, the cold night air doing nothing to cool the fire in my veins.

Six days left.

I spent the next few hours not crying, but watching. I noted the patterns of the guards on patrol, the timing of their shifts, the blind spots in their coverage. My exit needed to be perfect. I would leave this place without a trace. My future was in the South.