Chapter 4

Were there any urgent pack affairs that Ethan had to see to? But how pressing could it be for him not even to have time to sign the papers?

I waited in the empty villa from dawn till midnight.

The next morning, as I went downstairs, I could already tell what Marcus was about to say, judging from the look on his face.

"Luna Elena, Alpha Ethan didn't return last night."

I couldn't wait any longer. Fingers trembling, I picked up my phone and called Ethan.

Once, and again, and again…

Every time, the dial tone echoed throughout the silent villa, each tone stinging like a slap.

When I called the fourth time, it was the same cold, endless dial tone.

The fifth time I redialed Ethan's number, a message flashed across the screen. It read, "The number you're calling is currently in use."

What happened?

It occurred to me that he'd blocked me.

Utterly speechless, the last ridiculous shred of hope inside me died quietly.

…

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Silvercrest pack, Ethan glared at his phone with a frosty expression. The dark circles beneath his eyes were daunting.

He was like a trapped beast, pacing the office back and forth, exuding a cold yet dangerous air.

His phone was placed face down on the table. He almost flung it out of the window twice.

When he saw the state his usually level-headed best friend was in, Cameron Duffal—Ethan's Beta—could no longer hold in his laughter.

He burst out laughing. "To think the Alpha of Silvercrest pack would end up in this state! It seems Luna Elena is truly the one fated for you—the one who would subdue you. There's no running away from her."

A priceless mug flew toward him in a perfect projectile motion.

Cameron swiftly caught it, lamenting, "Hey, I'm not the one breaking your heart. Don't let it out on me!"

A document folder was flung at him next.

Ethan's brooding voice rang out. "You were the one who came up with that crap of an idea, telling me to attend that darned banquet.

"You said I had to keep Elena on her toes so that she's aware of how important I am to her! Yet now that she'd watched that video, she shoved the Bond-Breaking Agreement in my face!"

Cameron raised his arms in surrender. "Hey, buddy, you were the one who came running to me, complaining that you wanted to know what she felt toward you. All I did was give you a suggestion! Seeing as how she wants to break up, don't you think the answer is clear enough?"

Ethan's eyes narrowed. His gaze was so cold it could freeze the burning sun.

Cameon felt his hair rise. He was about to slip away when Ethan's following words pinned him to the spot.

"If Elena leaves, I'll submit an anonymous article telling of the love story between you and your ex-lover to the publisher and make sure your current lover, Louise, reads it. I guarantee you that 'The Romantic Affairs of a Beta' will be the headline of the year."

Cameron inhaled sharply. "Ethan, no! I take back my words, every single one of them!"

Before he could further plead for mercy, Ethan's subordinate, Frank Joville, dashed in as though a ghost were after him.

"Alpha Ethan, Luna Elena is here!"

His words scared Ethan so badly that he almost fell off his chair.

Cameron howled. "What? Holy shit! Luna Elena sure is quick to act!

"The Department of Werewolf Affairs stipulated that there should be a one-month consideration period before any wolf decides whether or not to terminate their mate bonds. But it seems she's not even going to give you another day to think about it!

"You're doomed, Alpha Ethan! Elena's dead-set on leaving you!"