Chapter 2

Without realizing it, I found myself back at our den.

Every corner of this place bore my careful touch. I'd spent months making it perfect for us.

The memory of Garrett's amazement when he first saw the finished space still haunted me.

"Sage, you've made this place absolutely beautiful."

"I'm so happy we can have a home like this together."

After our parents died, Marcus had raised me alone. It hadn't been easy for him.

Garrett's presence had filled the gaps where my brother's attention couldn't reach.

I'd fallen hopelessly in love with him.

That's why when Marcus told me Garrett was drinking himself into oblivion over some heartbreak, I couldn't stop myself from going to him.

When he woke up in my arms, Garrett had held me tight.

"Sage," he'd whispered, "let's try this. I want to forget her."

I didn't know who 'she' was then.

I only knew he was willing to open his heart to me.

I'd ached seeing how hard he worked, so I moved in to take care of him.

In the beginning, Garrett treated me like I was precious.

He'd spend the full moon runs with me.

He'd help me navigate pack politics when other wolves gave me trouble.

In our most intimate moments, he'd say, "Sage, being with you is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me."

I'd treasured those words for so long.

When did things change?

It was six months after we'd bonded.

Suddenly, he started working late constantly, claiming pack duties kept him away.

Even when he was home, he'd smile at his phone with pure joy.

When I asked about it, he'd always say, "Pack business, Sage. Things are going really well for me."

Now I understood.

It wasn't his work going well.

It was his love life.

Tears started falling without permission.

I couldn't hold back the sobs that tore from my throat.

When I finally looked up, I realized Garrett had returned.

He stared at my red, swollen eyes with guilt written across his face.

"I'm sorry, Sage."

"I still can't make myself love you."

I wiped my face roughly, my voice hoarse as I confronted him.

"Then why did you tell Marcus I was some crazy she-wolf chasing after you?"

"If you don't love me, why didn't you say so from the start?"

"Why did you let me make a fool of myself, facing this humiliation..."

Garrett pulled me into his arms, repeating "I'm sorry" over and over.

"I tried to love you, Sage. You might not understand."

"Some wolves, even when they decide to give up, still feel their heart race when they see that person again..."

"Sage, I can't stop loving her."

His raw honesty shattered what was left of my heart.

Then his phone rang.

The familiar ringtone made everything click into place.

That sound that had pulled him away from me countless times.

It was Aria calling.

Sure enough, Garrett immediately released me, answering with pure excitement.

"Aria, you're back? You're almost at pack territory?"

"I'll come get you right now."

Without a backward glance, Garrett rushed out.

I sank onto the couch, numb as all the pieces fell together.

The familiar ringtone.

The sudden "emergency" trips.

The absence during every important day.

I couldn't lie to myself anymore.

The wolf I loved had abandoned me countless times for someone else.

That night, Garrett didn't come home.

I quietly erased every trace of myself from our den.

Then I moved back to Marcus's place.

My brother seemed surprised to see me.

"Sage, what made you suddenly want to move back home?"

I forced a smile that felt worse than crying.

"I just wanted to stay here for a while."

Marcus didn't notice my emotional state.

He kept talking, filling me in on pack news.

He told me Garrett had thrown an elaborate welcome ceremony for Aria's return.

"Turns out Garrett and Aria have been together for two years already."

"No wonder he never introduced her to us. He was waiting to announce everything after the mating ceremony."

Marcus showed me photo after photo on his phone.

I stared at the lavish decorations and Garrett's beaming smile, my heart breaking all over again.

Marcus had no idea about our history.

He laughed as he said, "Our little Sage will have to call Aria sister when she meets her."