Chapter 1

I strode into the Blackwood Conglomerate lobby, a lunch bag in hand.

As usual, the Omega receptionists offered me polite smiles.

I nodded and headed straight for the private elevator.

Then, a familiar voice from behind halted me.

"Elena?"

I turned to see Caleb standing behind the revolving door, his adopted sister, Ivy Miller, by his side.

Two years had clearly taken their toll.

He looked so haggard, I almost didn't recognize him with that rough stubble.

"Here to pick me up?" Caleb strode over, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just landed back from my assignment. How'd you know I was back so soon?"

I glanced at the insulated bag in my hand and said, trying to maintain my composure, "Excuse me, I need to get through. I have business here."

Caleb misunderstood, his eyes dropping to the bag with a smile. "You knew I hadn't eaten yet and brought me lunch?"

"I knew you'd still be waiting for me after all this time." His tone was laced with an entitled certainty.

Ivy, by his side, gave a soft cough.

Caleb immediately put an arm around her, his concern evident. "Are you okay? Is your wolf spirit acting up again?"

After a moment of soothing her, Caleb caught up with me. "Don't get me wrong, she's delicate and needs looking after. You know, her father died protecting me. Took a silver dagger right through the heart. With her dad gone, I'm the closest thing she has. I have to be responsible for her."

"Right," I said, turning back towards the elevator.

"Wait." Caleb hurried to block my path.

"Cut the act, Elena. If you're here to pick me up, then come with me. I know refusing to mark you at the coming-of-age ceremony hurt you. But we were kids back then. I'm back now... we can start over."

I was speechless.

I tilted my head, tucking my hair behind my ear to reveal my neck.

"I have a mate."

The silver crescent-shaped mark on my neck was clear, glowing faintly. My permanent mate bond.

"Actually, thank you for ditching me back then. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met my fated mate."

Caleb froze, then after a few seconds, he burst out laughing. "A sticker?" He leaned closer, trying to get a better look. "Elena, that's so childish. You really expect me to believe that?"

"Believe it or not." I pressed the elevator button.

"Impossible!" Caleb's voice turned hard. "Elena, the whole pack knew about our marking ceremony! In everyone's eyes, you were my future mate. Who else would have dared to claim you?"

So he knew too, that the marking ceremony meant acknowledging someone as your mate. Yet, he'd left me without a second thought. Did he think that once the news spread, I'd have no choice but to choose him?

I shook my head and ignored him. I hoped he could still laugh once he found out I was the pack's Luna.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside. Caleb tried to follow, but the security guards stopped him. "Sir, you don't have clearance for the top floor."

"What?" Caleb frowned. "I'm Damian Blackwood's nephew!"

"Sorry, rules are rules."

Just before the doors closed, I saw Caleb's furious expression.

The scene from two years ago flashed through my mind. In the banquet hall during the coming-of-age ceremony, everyone was waiting to witness my marking ceremony with Caleb. At the crucial moment, his adopted sister suddenly fainted.

Caleb hesitated for a second, then turned to me and said, "Ivy's condition can't wait. I need to go find a way to heal her immediately. Don't worry, we'll postpone the ceremony for three days. I'll be back then."

With that, he picked up his adopted sister and boarded the plane without looking back. The hall erupted in shock. Some even snickered.

I stood there stunned, feeling like a fool.

Then Damian appeared. He was Caleb's uncle, the Alpha of the entire Dark Moon pack. And in that moment, he stood before me like a god and offered me a knight's bow: "My dear lady, would you perhaps need a new mate?"

I met those blood-red wolf eyes and placed my hand in his. "Yes," I said.

The next second, Damian gently embraced me, lowered his head, and bit my neck, completing the mark. The instant our souls bonded, I felt his power surge through my veins, a strength so immense it sent shivers down my spine.

The elevator reached the top floor.

I walked into Damian's office. His secretary informed me his meeting would be delayed by at least another hour.

My phone buzzed.

My Alpha:

Sorry, baby. Peterson's being a real pain, rambling on. Don't wait up for me tonight. I'll make it up to you later.

He even added a heart emoji at the end. I couldn't help but smile.

"Elena?"

I turned, only to find Caleb had somehow followed me. He stood at the office doorway, staring at my phone screen, a playful smirk on his face. "'My Alpha'?" He crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth curling up. "And a specific note about the meeting delay? Your acting is too obvious."

"Elena, stop playing these games." Caleb stepped closer. "You know how much I hate being tested."

"Still this stubborn after two years." His tone was like he was coaxing a child.

"Here, let me see your 'fake mark.' It's quite realistic, I'll give you that." He reached out, intending to touch the hair by my neck.