Chapter 2

Kaelen asked, "My Luna, why are you suddenly asking about the oath?"

A flicker of confusion came through the mind-link, followed by his words. "My wolf will always be loyal to you, and my love will never deceive you."

It was too loud outside. Kaelen wouldn't risk establishing a deep link. He didn't dare reveal he was at the rowdy festival, or let me feel the swing of his emotions and catch the slightest hint.

Brenna and I shifted into our wolves and moved through the forest shadows, tracking the couple ahead.

Lyra had snatched the transmission crystal Kaelen used to communicate.

"How long are you going to keep soothing her?" Lyra scowled. "You promised you'd stay with me, but your mind is all on her. If that's the case, why are you with me?"

Her voice trembled with hurt. "Kaelen, do you want me to be your shadow forever? I won't be your secret lover! I'm a Gamma warrior, not an Omega you can hide away! An Alpha can't have two hearts!"

Her words carried clean to our sharpened ears. I stared at the scene while Brenna let out a low, furious growl.

"Shameless!" she spat. "She actually has the nerve to say that? How dare Kaelen say he loves her? He wouldn't even be Alpha if it weren't for you! If we hadn't caught them tonight, how long was he planning to keep you in the dark?"

One of Brenna's friends was a tracker who followed them from afar and streamed the scene live to us.

I watched Kaelen wipe Lyra's tears, kiss her, and whisper, "Give me some time. I'll end things with her. It's all under control."

His tenderness burned in my eyes, so sharp it nearly broke me. I almost cried out, but I forced myself to stay composed as I spoke to Brenna.

"Record all of this on a memory crystal." I watched Lyra and Kaelen kiss hard on the feed. "Get me everything on that she-wolf."

I added, meeting Brenna's eyes, "If they're going to the Alpha's private cabin, we should be able to pull her file.

"If Kaelen wants to make a choice, then I'll be the one to end this, not him."

They stopped at the Alpha's cabin deep in the woods.

I watched Kaelen lead Lyra inside—the very place he and I had reserved for months, where we planned to be alone after the festival.

Two months ago, we'd decided we'd spend the night there. I'd even stocked his favorite moonberry wine.

Back then, Kaelen had teased, "You're planning this so early. What if something comes up? You'll be so disappointed."

I'd shot him a playful glare. "Shut up!"

He zipped his lips and grinned as he pulled me into a hug.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say," he said, holding me close as he pointed toward the hot spring pool inside the cabin.

"Here, under the Moon Goddess' witness, our souls can truly become one. I want to strengthen our mate bond right here. That would be romantic."

Kaelen whispered into my ear, "They say even the closest mates get bored with each other over time. But what am I supposed to do, babe? I think I love you more with every passing day."