Chapter 2

He wouldn’t have to die for me at thirty.

We could both live… finally free.

I took a deep breath and signed “Selena” on the bond contract.

I remembered the regrets from his journal:

Regretting our forced bond.

Not defying his parents.

Failing to save Selena.

One regret down.

I stepped outside, holding both copies of the contract. Killian stood waiting.

He reached for the papers, but I stopped him with a smile.

“Tomorrow,” I said gently. “Let it be a surprise.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re acting weird. What, being bonded to me knocked something loose in your brain?”

Maybe. Or maybe I was just relieved to see him breathing again.

“I think you’re the best Alpha in the world,” I said. “Anyone who ends up with you will be lucky.”

He scoffed and turned away. But if I didn’t know better, I’d say he looked flustered.

Nearby, a young couple chattered excitedly.

“There’s a rare meteor shower tonight! They say if you watch it with your mate, your bond will last forever!”

My heart faltered. In my first life, I had begged him to go see the stars.

He scoffed at me. “Stars can’t fix forced bonds, Clara. You’re dreaming.”

This time, I stayed silent.

But then Killian surprised me.

“If you want to see the stars,” he said, “I’ll take you. But don’t expect a honeymoon—I’ve got work.”

I blinked.

Then smiled. Because even when cruel, he’d always been kind.

He saved me three times.

Once, when I was ambushed by rogue wolves in the forest. He’d shifted mid-air, tearing them away from me. He took a silver-coated claw to the chest—leaving a scar that never healed.

Once, during the Winter Moon Raid. Feral rogues burned our healer’s hut. I was trapped. He shifted, dragged me through smoke and fire, his paws scorched. He didn’t stop until I was safe.

And once… when a rogue Alpha injected me with diluted silver. I collapsed. Killian used his own fangs to draw the venom out—knowing silver could kill him too.

He collapsed. I lived.

How could I not love him?

Killian sighed, impatient. “Are you coming or not?”

I nodded. “Let’s watch the stars tonight.”

He relaxed, flagged a cab. “I’ll drop you off first. Pick you up later.”

Then his phone buzzed. His brow furrowed.

“Selena hurt her hand. I’m going to check on her. You go home.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re not mad? Usually you throw a fit.”

I started to reply, but he cut me off.

“Guess it’s fine. We’re bonded now. She’s no threat to you anymore. Message me when you’re home.”

He walked away.

He didn’t see the ache in my chest or the sad smile I wore.

The truth was… I never tried to stop him from loving her.

But once, I caught Selena with an older wolf—kissed him like she’d done it many times before.

I investigated. She had multiple “benefactors.” Sponsors. Secrets.

I told Killian.

He didn’t believe me.

After she died, he mourned her for a decade. Her memory chained him.

And I… I couldn’t let that happen again.