Chapter 1

My father's message was still on the screen.

[In three days, I will personally come to welcome you and Leo back to the capital.]

I replied "Okay" and set the phone on the nightstand.

On the living room wall, every promised family day was crossed out in red.

Downstairs, dinner still sat on the table.

Several candles had burned to the end. Wax had dripped onto the tablecloth and hardened into small white marks.

Damian always had a reason for breaking his promises.

Chloe had a nightmare and needed him.

Chloe's wolf was out of control. As Alpha, he couldn't abandon a pack member.

Every time he left, I would call and urge him to come back.

This time, I didn't.

When he first held my hand and swore, he said that once Chloe successfully conceived an heir, he would end his duty to his dead brother's widow and hold the Mark ceremony with me.

"Once she's pregnant, we can put this whole thing behind us."

He kissed my forehead then, his tone certain.

"After that, I'll only be your Mate."

I believed him.

Now Chloe was pregnant. And Damian was at the Moon Temple with her, praying.

Before bed, he had called once.

On the other end, the elders' prayers rose in waves.

Not a single word about what day it was.

In the gaps between prayers, I heard elders quietly discussing the Mark ceremony preparations for Damian and Chloe after the full moon ritual.

Damian's voice was low. "Don't wait for me. Go to sleep."

Then the call ended.

Just before dawn, I heard a car engine downstairs.

I looked out the window. Damian had come in alone. His suit jacket was draped over his arm. His collar carried the scent of roses.

Chloe's favorite perfume.

His eyes landed on the suitcase in the living room.

"Where are you going with that?"

I didn't answer.

He walked over and reached for me the way he always did.

I stepped away.

"Still upset about last night?" he asked. "Didn't I have gifts sent over? Your necklace. And the toy for Leo. I picked them out myself."

"We were waiting for you."

The smile on Damian's face faded a little.

"I know. Chloe wasn't feeling well last night, and the elders were at the Moon Temple. I couldn't leave her there alone."

"She's already pregnant."

"That's exactly why I need to be more careful." He looked at me, his tone softening. "Mia, don't read too much into this. I promised you. Once she safely has the child, I'll hold the Mark ceremony with you and bring you and Leo into the pack properly."

Damian took my hand. "Chloe is my brother's wife. I can't just abandon her the moment she's confirmed pregnant."

He was still saying "wait."

I pulled my hand back.

Seven years ago, I left the capital and was attacked by rogue wolves in a blizzard. Damian saved me.

He was patrolling the border with his people.

He lifted me out of the snow, wrapped me in his own coat, and stayed with me all night.

When I woke, he was sitting by the fire. Blood was still wet on his brow. But the first thing he did was ask if I was cold.

The moment our eyes met, we both felt it. We were fated mates.

So we fell in love. Naturally.

I willingly hid my name for him. Tucked my father's token into the bottom of a chest. Gave him Leo.

Then Chloe's husband died, and he had to look after his brother's widow.

He told me that once Chloe conceived an heir, everything would be over...

Leo and I waited for him. Again and again.

Now Chloe was pregnant. And he still wanted us to wait.

Upstairs, I heard Leo cough.

Damian turned. "Is he awake?"

"Not yet."

"I'll go check on him."

"No need."

Damian didn't catch the refusal. He was already heading for the stairs.

"We can have family day anytime. I'll make it up to you both." He said, "I'll book the best restaurant in town. Take Leo to watch pack training."

I stood there and didn't tell him. Leo remembered the empty chair. And he remembered that when the candles burned out, Dad wasn't there.

Damian reached the stairs and looked back at me. "Come to the pack tonight. My mother wants to see you. The elders will be there too. I'll explain the Mark ceremony."

"Okay."

He seemed surprised I agreed. His brow moved slightly.

His phone rang.

Chloe's name on the screen.

Damian answered immediately, his voice softening. "What's wrong? I'm coming."

He grabbed his coat and hurried out.

After the door closed, the coughing upstairs started again.

I went into Leo's room and tucked his blanket around him.

He wasn't asleep yet. His fingers were clutching the wolf-fang pendant Damian gave him.

"Mommy," he whispered, "will Daddy come back to stay with us?"

"No."

He didn't cry. Didn't ask again. Just held the pendant tighter and slowly closed his eyes.

I sat by the bed and waited until he was deeply asleep.

"Daddy..."

He called out in his dream.

I leaned down, kissed his forehead, and gently took the pendant from his hand. I placed it in the drawer.

The drawer closed with a soft click.

Downstairs, I zipped up the suitcase I'd already packed.

Damian thought we would always wait for him.

But in three days, I would take Leo back to the capital and leave him forever.