Chapter 3

Leia's POV

Three days before the ceremony, I received a message from an unknown number.

"Leia, it's Vera. Evan gave me your number. There are some things I'd like to explain to you personally."

I stared at the screen but didn't reply.

"Leia, Evan told me you already know about us. Don't worry. I won't show up at the marking ceremony. Once I move to the north, I won't bother you two anymore."

Then she sent me a set of vows.

"From the moment we first met beneath the birch trees, I've dreamed of this day with you. With the Moon Goddess as my witness, I accept your mark and promise to be your one and only mate for life.

"Could you read these vows to him for me during your marking ceremony?"

Evan and I had met on the edge of the northern snowfields. I'd never even been to the southern birch forests in my life.

"I'm not reading your vows," I replied.

Vera sent a voice message. "This was just a dream, Evan, and I never got to fulfill it. Could you help me make it come true?"

A second voice message arrived right after it.

"And don't take off the gown too soon. Wear it throughout the first night after the marking, and don't take it off until the next morning. That way, I can imagine him falling asleep surrounded by my scent and holding me all night."

I pulled the phone away from my ear and leaned against the table, unable to straighten up for a long moment.

It was so absurd it made me sick. I forwarded the voice messages to Evan and blocked Vera.

That afternoon, I went to the infirmary to pick up my research samples.

The box was already sealed, with my name on a label on the side. Inside were the samples I'd collected during my three years of researching silver poisoning.

Just as I took hold of the handle of the box, the lab manager stopped me. "The Alpha just instructed us not to let you take this for now."

Evan walked in and told everyone else to leave. He reached for the box, but I held on.

"Vera isn't in good health, and she can be a little obsessive. Wearing the gown for one night won't cause you any real harm." He stood in front of the table, looking down at me. "I've already promised her."

"I won't agree to it." Tears spilled down my cheeks. I wiped them away and shook my head, still meeting his gaze.

He slid his hand beneath mine and pried my fingers off the handle one by one. Once he had the box, he returned it to the storage cabinet.

"You haven't finished dyeing your fur, you've refused the tattoo, and now you won't wear the gown. The ceremony is only a few days away, yet you're already trying to take your things away," he said. "Finish the preparations first."

I followed him to the cabinet. "Those are my research samples."

He stepped in front of me, his voice softening. "I know. I never said you couldn't have them."

Then the lab manager came in and looked at Evan for directions.

Evan nodded, and the cabinet was locked right in front of me. My name label was still visible behind the glass.

My hand, which had reached toward the cabinet, slowly fell to my side.

Evan touched my cold fingertips and draped his jacket over my shoulders. "I'll return the box once you're ready."

Wrapped in his jacket, I waited until my fingers stopped trembling before asking, "So, once the dyeing, tattoo, and gown fitting are done, you'll return it that very night?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"I won't have to wait until after the marking ceremony?"

He studied me for a moment. "Are you worried I won't keep my word?"

"I just want my work back where it belongs," I said.

Evan agreed to my terms and instructed someone to deliver the box to the hotel where we'd be staying the night before the ceremony.

He led me outside and started explaining the arrangements for picking me up on the day of the ceremony.

When we got home, I put the vows I'd written earlier back in the drawer and zipped up my suitcase to check it once more.

Once I got my samples back, I'd leave with them.