Chapter 3

"Gods, you look like you wrestled a demon and lost."

Maya's blunt assessment as she pulled me inside earned a bitter smile from me.

She was the Beta of the Silvermoon Pack and my only true friend, my best friend since we were pups.

Wild red hair, and always brutally honest.

"Thanks for the honesty," I said, dragging my suitcase into her apartment. "Can I crash here for a few days?"

"Of course." Maya shut the door and studied my face. "But you need more than just a place to stay."

She walked to the window and threw open the heavy curtains.

Moonlight flooded the room.

"Full moon tonight," she said, turning to me. "When was the last time you ran?"

I froze. "I... I can't remember."

"Ivana." Maya's voice was dead serious. "You've been caging your wolf. For him. To be his perfect, docile Luna. Look at you. This isn't who you are."

She was right.

To fit Ethan's image, I had tried so hard to be docile, elegant, and harmless.

Like the perfect little decoration he wanted.

"Tonight, we run," Maya said, grabbing her car keys. "It's time to wake your wolf up."

Her family's private territory was vast and empty. Thousands of acres of forest.

We ran under the moonlight, on all fours, wild power surging through our veins.

I'd forgotten what freedom felt like.

Forgotten that I was a predator, not a porcelain doll to be protected.

My wolf form was faster, stronger, and sharper than my human one.

This was the real me.

We didn't return until the next night, exhausted but exhilarated. As we approached Maya's apartment building, I caught a familiar scent.

"Shit," Maya muttered. "How did he find you here?"

Ethan was leaning against a pillar at the entrance.

His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw was dark with stubble, and his clothes were so wrinkled he looked like he’d been sleeping in his car.

He straightened up the moment he saw us.

"Ivana." His voice was hoarse. "We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," I said, walking straight for the entrance.

"Please." He followed me. "Just give me a chance to explain."

"Explain what?" I stopped and turned to face him. "Explain why you were cooing sweet nothings to another woman right in front of me?"

Ethan's face went pale. "You heard that?"

"Not just heard," I sneered. "I felt it. Your satisfaction when you touched her. Your racing heart. Your—"

"Enough!" He covered his face, pained. "That wasn't... I didn't..."

"Didn't what?" Maya cut in. "Didn't cheat? Didn't betray her? Or just don't have a brain?"

Ethan glared at her. "This doesn't concern you, Beta."

"She's my friend. That makes it my business," Maya said, her claws sliding out. "Besides, Blackwood Alpha, you're on Silvermoon territory. If you want a fight, I'm happy to give you one."

"Maya, don't." I stopped her. "He's not worth it."

I looked at Ethan and saw something in his eyes I'd never seen before—desperation.

"Ivana, I know I hurt you." He took a step toward me. "But we can start over. I'll cut off all contact with Oliva—"

"Too late."

"No, it's not." He reached out to touch my face. "Our bond—"

"Our bond is about to be severed, as soon as the Elders set the date." I stepped back, avoiding his hand. "I made myself clear last night."

Ethan froze. "We're fated mates... rejecting the bond will cause a backlash. Ivana, I told you, you're my only one..."

"The only one? Not since Oliva showed up," I said. "Don't worry, I won't bother you two ever again."

Real panic flashed across his face. "No... that means I'll lose... my power will..."

"Fade?" I raised an eyebrow. "That's what you're really afraid of, isn't it? Not losing me. Losing the power boost I give you as your fated mate."

"No!" he denied it too quickly. "I love you, Ivana! I've always loved you!"

"If you love me, then let me go."

I turned and walked into the building, Maya right behind me.

"Ivana!" Ethan yelled after me. "I'm not giving up! I'll prove it to you!"

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside.

Through the closing gap, I saw Ethan lunge for the doors, only to slam into the silver-laced security gate.

A sharp sizzle echoed in the lobby as he recoiled, burned.

The elevator doors slid shut, sealing him out.

Maya watched the numbers climb. "How does it feel?" she asked quietly.

I leaned against the wall and, for the first time, let a real smile spread across my face.

"It feels like... freedom is finally within reach."