Chapter 3

The blizzard was blowing fiercer by the minute.

Frost was already covering the precious herbs in my arms.

I gritted my teeth and retreated to the clinic porch for shelter.

My phone lit up with a text from Ruby.

[Cora, I'm so sorry! I didn't expect Kade to just drive off like that.]

[You've been mated for years and you still don't get his Alpha temper. He just needs his ego stroked. Just swallow your pride and apologize.]

[It's freezing. We'll hang out next time!]

Melting snow dripped from my hair, running down my brow and into my eyes.

I rubbed them, making them red.

In the past, I never really understood Kade.

Now, I didn't want to.

By the time I braved the blizzard and walked back to the main estate, Kade and Ruby were already there.

Ruby was wearing the pajamas I bought last month. She was sitting cross-legged by the fireplace.

Kade was pouring her a glass of wine.

Hearing the door, she walked over and handed me a pair of slippers.

They were disposable guest slippers.

"Cora, what took you so long? You're soaked! Hurry up and take a hot shower. Look at you!"

I set down the frozen herbs. Kade looked up as I walked past the kitchen island.

He watched me for a second, then looked back down at his wine glass.

The bathroom counter was cluttered with Ruby's things. Body wash, lotion. Brands I didn't recognize.

I turned on the faucet and quickly rinsed off with hot water.

I went upstairs to pack my bags for the United Pack Medical Center.

But when I opened my walk-in closet, I froze.

My clothes were completely gone. The space was crammed with designer clothes and bags. It was obviously Ruby's stuff.

I gripped the door handle. I turned and walked to the upstairs railing, looking down at Kade in the living room.

"Where are my clothes?"

Kade leaned back on the sofa. He looked up at me without an ounce of guilt.

"I just had the maids clear a little space."

"You've been throwing too many tantrums lately. Ruby needed somewhere to put her things, so we're using it for now. Once you learn to soften up, I'll have your stuff moved back."

I gripped the railing tighter.

Was this another punishment?

Ruby shrank into the sofa, faking a nervous look.

"Kade, is Cora mad? Maybe I should just move out."

Kade patted her hand to comfort her.

"It's fine. She's just acting out. Give it a few days and she'll fall right back into line."

I stared at them and didn't say a word.

Kade sighed and softened his tone. "Tomorrow is my mother's birthday dinner. She specifically asked for you. Cora, drop the attitude tomorrow and play along. Apologize after the dinner, and we'll move past this."

Kade's mother, the former Luna, treated me like her own daughter.

Ever since Kade and I mated, she was the only one who stepped in to comfort me and scold him whenever he acted out.

Even though I was leaving, I at least owed her a proper goodbye.

I took a deep breath and agreed.

I couldn't even be bothered to pack my full luggage anymore. I went to the guest room, grabbed a small suitcase, and packed a few clothes and my documents. I left every single item tied to him behind.

I didn't even glance back as I went downstairs and headed straight for the front door.

Kade called out as I reached for the knob. "Where do you think you're going?"

"You're barely home as it is."

He sounded so arrogant, so sure that I had nowhere else to go.

"That's none of your business."

This place didn't even have a closet for me anymore. It wasn't my home.

Kade's face darkened. Before he could blow up, I shoved the front door open. The freezing wind poured in.

I looked back at him. "You're sick, Kade."

"If you want absolute obedience, go buy a dog. Stop disgusting me."

I slammed the door shut, cutting off whatever he was going to say.

I called a ride and booked a fancy hotel on the edge of the pack borders.

My phone blew up with messages from both of them all night.

I just powered it off.

The next morning, I walked into the lobby and froze. Kade and Ruby were sitting on the lounge sofas.

This damn mate bond. He tracked me again.

Ruby was wearing a flashy dress, acting like the Luna of the pack. She put on a look of fake concern when she saw me.

"Cora, did you sleep well? Kade was worried you'd be stubborn and skip the dinner, so he came to pick you up."

Kade stood up. His tone was a little softer. "Cora, head back to the main estate and help my mother host. I promised to take Ruby shopping for a dress. I'll bring her over later."

I let out a dry scoff. I didn't even look at them as I walked straight for the revolving doors.

Ruby shouted from behind me.

"Don't be mad, Cora! I'm just borrowing the Alpha to pick a dress. I'll bring him right back before dinner starts!"

I kept walking.

"Cora, what is your problem now? Helping my mother prepare is your duty as the future Luna!"

Kade's voice dropped, laced with impatience.

I ignored him, hailed a cab, and left.

The texts started coming in as soon as the cab drove off.

Kade sent a string of angry messages.

[Do you really have to fight me today?]

[Go back and help my mother right now. Don't upset her!]

I sneered and typed back.

[Help her host? So I can work like a servant while you walk in with your childhood friend? So your mother can interrogate me in public?]

As for Ruby's hypocritical texts, I just swiped and deleted them.

It was just her begging me not to be impulsive and to "understand the Alpha's stress."

After I hit send, my phone finally went quiet.

Back in the lobby, Kade was struck with a wave of frustration. He couldn't even argue with my text.

His mother would explode if she saw me working like a dog while he showed up with another woman.

But he'd already promised to take Ruby shopping.

His Alpha pride wouldn't let him back out of a promise.

He cursed and kicked the lobby trash can.

For the first time, a sliver of regret crept into his chest.

Deep down, he felt something important breaking apart. Something he couldn't hold onto, and could never get back.