Chapter 2

Swallowing the emptiness in my stomach and the ache in my heart, I watched Ethan and Amber Collins feed each other, a primal intimacy flowing between them.

After dinner, Amber showed no signs of leaving. Instead, she settled back onto the sofa, staking her claim.

"Are you two living together?" I asked, my voice already laced with a low, wolfish growl.

Amber just shrugged, nodding like it was the most natural thing in the world, a challenge in her eyes.

I felt my inner wolf clawing to get out, and I struggled to swallow the bitterness in my heart.

A small smile played on Ethan’s lips as he looked gently at Amber.

“Yes, Amber’s all alone in this city, no pack to protect her. I was worried about her.”

“Her lease was up, and I had a spare room, so I told her to move in. That way, we can look out for each other.”

Amber pretended to be touched, tracing a finger along Ethan’s jawline, then sighing softly, her voice alluring.

“It’s a bit embarrassing, really. I’m a grown wolf, but I still can’t seem to manage without Ethan looking after me.”

She looked at me. “Sigh, what can you do? We grew up together, and I've just always been used to Ethan looking out for me! Can't change it now.”

“Things aren't like they used to be; there are more lone wolves out there now. It’s rare to find a male wolf like Ethan, so selfless and willing to help without asking for anything in return. Don’t you think so, Scarlett?”

I stayed silent, my claws itching in my palms.

Ethan chuckled and gave her a gentle nudge, their interaction far too familiar. “You always know what to say.”

After a bit more of their flirty banter, Ethan glanced at the clock.

He looked at me, a little awkwardly.

“Scarlett, it’s getting late. How about I take you to a hotel nearby for the night?”

He even picked up my suitcase, which I’d left by the door.

Seeing the luggage shoved in front of me, I froze. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

Tears streaming, I yelled at Ethan, "Ethan Reed, I drove for over ten hours to find you! How can you kick me out? Did you forget I’m your fated mate?"

From the moment I’d set foot in this city, the moment I first saw Ethan, he and Amber had been tangled up in each other's scents.

He clearly remembered all of Amber’s favorite things, acted like her mate right in front of me. He’d completely forgotten I was allergic to venison.

And now I find out he’s been living with Amber Collins in the mansion I bought for him, without me knowing.

And he was trying to kick me, his actual mate, out.

All those hours I'd spent driving here, travel-worn and full of hope, now felt like a cruel joke. A desecration of the mate bond.

Actually, the signs had been there all along.

After we graduated from the pack academy, Ethan didn’t want to stay and build his life in my family’s territory. He insisted on moving, miles away, to this city where humans and werewolves lived side-by-side.

At the time, some of our mutual pack friends warned me, said Ethan’s ex, Amber, was around here, and that I should be wary.

But I didn’t want to hold Ethan back from his so-called "ambitions" just because of some baseless suspicions.

I gave him my full support. I thought distance and time wouldn’t be an obstacle to our mate bond.

But Ethan grew colder, started making excuses to avoid our daily mind-links. He even instinctively pulled away when I tried to scent-mark him last time.

Especially this past month.

He started disappearing frequently, blaming it on “urgent pack business.”

We were at the stage where we were supposed to announce our permanent bonding to the council of elders. We’d even planned to meet both our families last blood moon.

But Ethan was completely unreachable that day, leaving me and my family waiting awkwardly at the grand ceremony.

The next day, he finally mind-linked an apology, making up some excuse about “something came up with work, urgent task” to cover it up.

Then he just acted like nothing happened and started discussing plans for the next full moon gathering.

Two days ago, he’d bailed again, no surprise there, claiming “work was swamped and my boss needed me to work late” and casually canceled the full moon trip I’d carefully planned.

Even though I was really disappointed, I agreed.

I knew he used to be a lone wolf, scared of being an outcast. So he always worked really hard, desperate to prove himself among werewolves.

So, this time, I took the initiative and came to Ethan’s city.

I never expected to be hit with a reality that shook me to my core.