Chapter 1

I got my phone out and messaged my best friend, Delia Leland.

She video-called me right back.

"Since when do you want to travel with me? Your mating ceremony is in six days. Two days ago you said you didn't have the time."

As far as she was concerned, my life revolved around marrying Nathaniel. A wolf like me wouldn't put off ceremony preparations to go on a trip.

I didn't explain. I switched to the rear camera and pointed it at my future mate, Nathaniel, and his childhood friend, Yvonne, a short distance away.

The photographer had them posed with their faces almost touching.

The call went quiet for a few seconds.

"Pack tonight. I'll come get you tomorrow."

After I hung up, Nathaniel looked over at me from across the field and started walking my way.

My heart, which I'd thought had gone numb, still gave a traitorous leap. I thought he'd finally remembered I was there.

I dug the mirror out of my bag to check whether my makeup had smudged.

"Give me your ring."

My hand froze. His words didn't sink in.

Nathaniel held out his hand. "Yvonne wants a photo of us showing off our rings. Lend her yours for a minute."

I stared at him.

"Do you really think it's okay to take that kind of photo with her?"

"It's just for one photo. She'll give it right back."

She'd give it right back.

He said it the way you'd talk about borrowing an eraser at school. Use it, hand it back, done.

I closed my hand around the ring.

"I don't want to lend it to her."

His brows pulled together.

"Chloe, can't you be a little more generous?"

I opened my mouth, then realized there was no point.

For seven years, he'd been telling me I wasn't generous enough.

Two years ago, his company organized a team trip to an island. Employees could bring a partner.

Yvonne said the light out there was great for photos, so he crossed my name off the list.

I was angry about it, and he said I wasn't generous enough.

Last year, Yvonne wanted to celebrate her birthday early, so he left me alone at our engagement dinner and took her to dinner in a luxury suite overlooking the river.

I fell apart with jealousy, and he said I wasn't generous enough.

Today, Yvonne had ruined the bridal shoot I'd been looking forward to. Now he wanted to use my ring as a prop for her, after I'd visited several shops to get it designed. Yet in Nathaniel's eyes, even being hurt by all this meant I wasn't generous enough.

Yvonne came over and broke up the standoff.

"It's fine, Nathaniel. I don't need that shot. Don't fight with Chloe over something so small."

She took Nathaniel's arm and smiled at me.

"Chloe, you have great taste. This location is beautiful. I love it."

She smiled with perfect composure, as if she were the bride posing for the cameras.

My nails dug into my palm, but I said nothing.

"There's just one thing I should mention to you."

She bit back a laugh.

"Your makeup is way too heavy today, and it looks cakey. It's really ugly."

I stood there. For a second I had no idea how to react.

Yvonne had said it loudly, and the crew nearby all turned their heads to look.

My cheeks burned under their stares. I lowered my head, then lowered it even further.

"Don't be upset, Chloe. I'm only telling you the truth."

She took a bottle of expensive makeup remover out of her bag and handed it to me as if she were giving me a handout.

"Nathaniel's an idiot. He was worried I'd break out if I didn't remove all my makeup, so he bought me a whole case at once.

"But I hardly wear makeup, so I'll never use it all. Take it and wash that off. Go easier on the makeup next time."

I looked at the green bottle. Suddenly, the whole thing seemed laughable.

A while back, I'd been testing makeup looks for the bridal shoot and using a lot of product. I hadn't been removing it properly, so my face kept getting red, swollen, and irritated.

Nathaniel had looked at my face for a long time back then and said nothing.

Later, I picked up his phone to check the mating ceremony details and saw that he'd ordered $1,000 worth of makeup remover.

I'd been quietly thrilled. I'd thought he was caring beneath that cold exterior and had secretly bought it to surprise me.

It wasn't for me at all.

I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Nathaniel rubbed his nose, looking guilty.

"If you want some, I'll buy you some next time."

My mouth twisted. I didn't believe him. When it came to me, there was never a next time.

Next time he'd buy me a camera.

Next time he'd make up for missing my birthday dinner by throwing me one.

Next time he'd come pick out furniture with me and set up our place.

After enough promises of "next time," there was no trust left.

I didn't want any part of this anymore. I turned and went back to the dressing room.

Behind me, Yvonne sounded wounded. "Nathaniel, is she angry? It's my fault. I always say the wrong thing."

Nathaniel comforted her. "It's fine.

"She'll get over it on her own."

He was always like this.

He had never once cared what I was feeling. He just waited for me to get over it on my own.

But Nathaniel White, I was tired of talking myself into forgiving you. This time, I wasn't going to do it.