Chapter 2

"What did you say?" Declan's eyes widened, his face draining of color.

He couldn't believe I would rip off his mask so bluntly in front of everyone.

"Sloane, don't blame Declan. He just couldn't bear to watch me die."

Chloe stumbled forward, weakly grabbing onto my jacket. "It's all my fault, I dragged him down. You can't break the engagement. If you don't want him anymore, I might as well just die..."

She was fresh out of surgery, pale as a ghost. She swayed on her feet, playing the fragile victim perfectly.

Declan immediately rushed over and pulled Chloe into his arms.

He looked up at me with disappointment and the pain of a betrayed lover.

"When did you become so cold-blooded, Sloane?" he gritted out. He tried to use his Alpha command to force me into submission, but it was weak. Pathetic. "Chloe just had surgery. Do you really have to provoke her right now?"

I watched him protect another woman with total calmness.

My wolf didn't whimper in pain like she did in my past life.

"Since you care about her so much, perfect," I took another step back. "Engagement's off. You can take care of her full-time now."

Declan froze.

He was absolutely convinced I was just throwing a jealous tantrum over the marrow donation.

He stood up straighter, looking at me like he was doing me a favor. "Stop making a scene, Sloane. Even if my body is weak right now, I'm still the heir. I know you love me, you're just mad. Apologize right now, and I'll still give you the Luna title. We mate tonight."

Apologize right now?

He sounded like I should be grateful he was blessing me with his broken love.

I brushed his hand away.

"I'm not making a scene, Declan. And I'm not joking."

"Not only am I refusing to mate with you, I'm officially breaking our engagement."

"Why would I pass up a pack of healthy Alphas for a broken wolf?"

Declan flushed red. A flash of humiliated rage crossed his eyes.

He never expected me to say something so ruthless in front of the whole pack.

"Sloane! Don't be ungrateful. Everyone knows about our arrangement, you're already mine. You're just talking out of anger, don't come crying to me later! I'll give you one day to cool off. If you keep pushing this, I really will break the engagement!"

With that, he grabbed the weak Chloe and stormed off without looking back.

It was always like this.

Whenever we fought, he would leave me alone, using the silent treatment to force me to cave.

I drove my Jeep alone toward our shared manor in the neutral zone.

We bought it together two years ago when the arrangement was made.

Halfway there, a storm broke out.

By the time I pushed open the manor doors, I was soaked to the bone.

Cold rain dripped from my hair, but I had never felt so free.

But the moment I walked into the living room, I stopped.

The strong smell of bitter herbs hit my nose.

In the kitchen, Declan had his expensive sleeves rolled up, carefully watching the stove.

This was the same man who made the maids pour his water for two years.

Now, he was brewing a herbal remedy for Chloe.

In my past life, I came home with a high fever from fighting at the borders.

He just asked if I was okay, told the maids to watch me, and left.

Now, he was playing personal chef for his little sweetheart.

Hearing me, he looked back.

A brief flash of instinctual concern crossed his eyes, but it was quickly covered by blame. He frowned.

"Why are you such a mess?"

I ignored him and walked straight toward the master bedroom on the first floor.

I needed to change out of my wet clothes, pack my bags, and leave this disgusting place.

But right as my hand touched the doorknob, Declan rushed over and grabbed my wrist.

"Chloe is sleeping in there. Don't go in."

I looked at him, finding it absolutely ridiculous.

"This is my bedroom. How am I supposed to change if I don't go in?"

He glanced at my soaked jacket and casually pointed at the living room fireplace.

"Just go dry off by the fire. You just caught some rain, your wolf is strong, you won't even get a cold. Chloe just had surgery!"