Chapter 2

By evening, rain was pouring down in sheets.

Simon called out of the blue. "It's raining. If you're still in the conference room, I'll drive over and take you home."

I held the phone and stared at the rain streaking down the window. Against my better judgment, I said, "Okay."

Maybe some part of me still clung to that last sliver of hope.

I waited at the conference room entrance for a full hour. Cold wind mixed with rain soaked the hem of my dress.

I called Simon again.

"Where are you?"

The moment the call connected, his impatient voice came through.

"What are you talking about? I've been here forever!"

Behind him was mall music, and a girl's excited voice.

"Wow, Simon, this outfit looks perfect on you!"

I see.

"You're at the mall?"

"Yeah. Lily didn't bring a change of clothes, so I swung by to buy her a few things."

Swung by?

The mall was ten miles away in downtown. Since when was that on the way?

"I've been waiting at the conference room door for an hour."

There was a second of silence, then his anger exploded through the phone.

"Don't you have legs? Can't you walk home yourself?

"I'm the Alpha. I have my own social life. I can't babysit you all day. You're unbelievable."

He was the one who said he would pick me up, but he had completely forgotten.

Then again, he had already forgotten his duties as Alpha, choosing instead to shop with that human girl.

"Fine."

I said just that one word and hung up.

I stepped into the rain, let out a long howl, and shifted, sprinting through the storm in wolf form.

By the time I reached the house, I was soaked to the bone.

When I pushed the door open, warmth rushed toward me.

The fireplace was blazing. Simon was sitting there with the human girl in his arms.

When she saw me, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes, followed by open provocation.

She deliberately snuggled closer to Simon. "Simon, she looks scary."

Simon looked up at me, covered in mud and rain, and disgust flashed in his eyes.

"Lily's timid. You're not angry, right?"

I shrugged, expressionless. "Whatever."

Simon froze.

"Tanya, stop acting tough!"

He stood up and pointed at me.

"Before, if any woman got close to me, you'd lose your mind. Now you're acting all generous. Who are you trying to fool?

"You're jealous as hell inside, aren't you?"

He wasn't wrong.

The old me loved him without dignity and made him the center of my world. Any lingering look aimed at him would have set my fur on edge.

But now, I was just tired.

"You're overthinking it."

I took off my coat and walked straight toward the guest room.

Simon strode over, carrying a scent that made my skin crawl.

He tried to kiss my cheek, that ridiculous tenderness in his eyes.

I turned my head and avoided him.

Shock flashed across his face, then it darkened.

"I'm filthy. I'll shower in the guest room."

I made an excuse and slipped past him into the small guest room at the end of the hall.

This room had been an extra during construction. It was small and plain.

But for someone who wanted distance from Simon, it was perfect.

The moment I closed the door, a loud crash came from the living room.

Glass shattered, followed by Simon's roar.

"Fine! If you wanna stay in the guest room, then stay there for the rest of your life! Lily, let's go back to our room!"

Late at night, the bed next door kept rocking.

The girl's breathless sounds mixed with Simon's, like some kind of performance.

I lay on my bed and felt nothing at all.

Outside, the rain kept falling, as if it were washing over the world and washing away my hesitation.