Chapter 2

When I sat back down in the waiting area, Lucian's crew started laughing again.

"Told you. No way Elara actually leaves."

"Made a whole scene just now, and look, she's right back here waiting for the Mate Bond registration."

One of them even held up his phone, pointing it straight at my face.

"Come on, let's record how long Lucian's future mate can keep up the tough act after getting her spot canceled."

The camera crept closer.

I raised my hand and blocked the lens.

He just laughed louder.

"Don't hide. You were pretty brave when you were grilling the Alpha just now."

"Let's see how long that backbone lasts."

Lucian finally frowned.

"That's enough."

But the guy waved the phone like it was nothing.

"Just recording. I'm not gonna post it to other packs or anything."

Lucian didn't make him stop.

The next second, he took a water flask from an attendant, twisted it open, and held it out to me.

"Drink."

"Don't ruin your health over something this small."

I didn't take it.

His eyes landed on my wrist. The clasp on my silver wolf charm had come loose, so he reached over, the way he had a thousand times before, and fastened it back.

The crowd immediately started whooping.

"See, Lucian always knows what to do."

"She was ready to explode a minute ago and he's already got her calmed down."

Lucian leaned down, voice low.

"Elara, I never said I wouldn't marry you."

"I just want you to understand that after you become my mate, you should still have your own life."

"Don't make everything about me."

"What happened today, let's just leave it here. Give everyone a way out."

His tone was identical to every other time he'd talked me down.

But this time, all I felt was the irony.

The humiliation was something he allowed.

The tenderness was something he performed in front of everyone.

And I had always swallowed my dignity because of that tiny scrap of warmth.

Someone nearby couldn't resist asking.

"Lucian, how do you have Elara so locked down?"

"She's been with you for years. I've never once seen her seriously fight back."

Lucian let out a quiet laugh.

"How long can she stay mad?"

"A few hours, tops."

"By tonight she'll be asking if I've eaten, what time I'm coming home."

The whole group cracked up.

Maya stood to the side. Her face looked uncomfortable, but she didn't say a single word for me.

Someone kept pushing.

"What was the craziest she ever got?"

Lucian thought about it. He actually looked like he was recalling something amusing.

"One time there was a storm. I was at a celebration with the warriors at the southern ridge. She was worried I didn't have enough guards, so she ran through the rain to come get me."

"We'd changed locations last minute. I forgot to tell her."

"She waited outside the old campsite until the middle of the night."

"When she finally found me, the first thing she said wasn't a complaint. She asked me if I was cold."

He said it like it was nothing. Almost bragging.

"So she'd never actually turn on me."

In that moment, the last trace of ache left in my chest disappeared completely.

So my thoughtfulness had never earned me anything.

It just made him sure I'd never leave.

The crystal clock on the registry wall lit up.

The clerk's voice came through the amplifier.

"All wolves who have not completed Mate Bond registration, please note. Today's window closes in ten minutes."

"Only four spots remain. If you need to complete family bonding registration, please proceed to the desk immediately."

I looked up right away.

The countdown on the screen was ticking down.

Lucian clearly misread my reaction.

He set the water flask beside me, voice still carrying that self-assured indulgence.

"If we can't make it today, there's always tomorrow."

"Everyone's been here a while. They're tired."

"No need to force it."

His friends jumped in immediately.

"Exactly, Elara. Give yourself a little dignity here."

"Lucian already said he'll come back with you tomorrow. Why does it have to be today?"

I didn't answer.

I just looked down at my phone.

Lucian seemed convinced I was still sulking. The impatience on his face gradually faded, replaced by that familiar, certain look.

"Elara, stop being stubborn."

"I told you. The position of Alpha's mate is still yours."

"You want to marry me? You can do it anytime."

I listened to those words, and all I felt was calm.

That used to be the one thing I wanted most. For him to promise, out loud, that he'd marry me.

Now I'd finally heard it. And I felt nothing.

Because I knew, very clearly, that I didn't want that position anymore.

Right then, my phone buzzed.

I looked down.

He'd sent a live location.

His coordinates were already inside Silver Moon's registry zone.

Then a message popped up.

[Traffic jam near the south gate. Going around the patrol checkpoint now.]

[Eight minutes, max.]

I stared at those words for two seconds. Typed back.

[Hurry.]

I put the phone away and looked up.

Lucian was still joking with his friends.

He hadn't even noticed that the person I was waiting for had already arrived.