Chapter 5

The next morning, I suddenly remembered something important and went upstairs to find Chase.

He was on the phone.

“Mom,” he said.

His mother’s voice was clearly audible through the speaker.

“Chase, your father has finalized the other pack affairs. We’ll be back soon. That means we can host your bonding ceremony with Wynette after all. I’m so glad you’ve found your Luna.”

My feet froze in place.

I had told myself that I was fine with him not being mine. That I could handle it.

But hearing that—bonding ceremony—was like a dagger to the chest.

My wolf whimpered from the depths of my soul, crushed by grief so intense I could hardly breathe.

Without knocking, I turned and hurried downstairs.

I needed to see Grandma.

Chase didn’t leave the house all day. I checked the calendar. No wonder—it was the weekend.

By sunset, he came to find me.

“Follow me,” he ordered.

I frowned. “Why?”

“Follow me and you’ll find out.”

I glanced at Grandma, who was lying in bed. She shook her head at me, subtly warning me not to go.

“You don’t want me to?” I whispered.

Even so, I followed Chase.

I didn’t know why. Maybe part of me still hoped for an explanation—or maybe, a goodbye.

His limousine was freezing. I shivered the whole way there. He didn’t say a word, only turned the air conditioner down even lower.

When we arrived, I realized it was a werewolf club.

He stepped out and walked straight in.

I followed tightly behind, unsure and uneasy.

The club was cold, dim, and hostile. The moment I entered the private room he led me to, my heart sank.

It was filled with wolves who had hated me since the academy—wolves I’d once been forced to clash with.

I turned to Chase, fury rising for the first time in years.

“Chase, what is the meaning of this?” I confused.

He didn’t even glance at me.

Instead, he removed his jacket and sat down in the center of the room.

And then—laughter.

Loud. Cruel. Echoing from every corner.

“Taryn? Is this really her?”

“She used to be so proud and elegant. Look at her now—what a mess.”

“I heard her father died, and her pack lost everything. But hey, at least the rogues treated her well.”

They circled around me like vultures.

I pushed past them, stumbling toward the door.

But someone yanked me back by my collar.

A cold voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Did I say you could leave?”

I turned. My eyes locked onto the throne-like seat in the center.

Chase sat there.

Wynette was beside him—silent, smiling faintly, the picture of obedience.

What a perfect couple.

I smiled bitterly, wavering my head. “Why did you bring me here?”

He answered without emotion.

“When the Moon-Lake Pack was still powerful, you were arrogant. You bullied everyone here at the academy—especially Wynette.”

“You owe them an apology.”

“Drink a glass for each of them.”

I looked at the table.

It wasn’t just a few glasses. It was dozens—each one filled with potent spirits. Not ordinary wine. These were dangerous even for a healthy wolf.

My wolf was already weak. Barely holding on.

I inhaled shakily.

“What if I refuse?”

One of them leaned in, voice dripping with mockery.

“Taryn, you have no pack now. No name. No power. You sure you want to make enemies again?”

I don’t remember how I made it back.

Everything was a blur. My head spinning. My stomach lurching.

I was burning up, the world tilting sideways.

I wanted to throw up. I wanted it to end.

I wanted to die.

Why was I still alive?

Dawn came at last.

I forced myself upright, watching the sun rise through the window.

My balance was off—I nearly fell twice.

I knew it was time.

Time to go.

There was nothing left here for me.

Only Grandma.

And even she… would be better off not watching me suffer anymore.

I packed quietly.

Tidied my room.

I walked down the hall, silent as a shadow.

No one else was awake.

I climbed the stairs one last time—to see Grandma.

She was sleeping soundly.

I knelt beside her and whispered:

“Grandma… take care, okay? I have to leave now.”

Her body shifted slightly.

I reached for her hand, and she gripped mine weakly.

Tears spilled from my eyes.

But in the end, I let go.

As I stepped out of her room, I passed Chase’s door.

I glanced at it once—just once.

And then I walked away.

Out of the old chateau.

I didn’t look back.

Chase, from now on, I’ll never let you hurt me again. And you’ll never be troubled by my presence, either.

I reached the gate, my heart steeled for the road ahead.

But just as I stepped beyond the boundary,

A shadow appeared, blocking my path.

A voice—cold as frost—cut through the silence.

“Where do you think you’re going?”