Chapter 1

The moment I hit send, I let out a long breath. For the first time in ages, I felt light.

Finally, I didn't have to stay trapped in this twisted relationship anymore.

My suitcase lay open on the floor. I pulled my clothes out of the closet one by one and tossed them in.

Keane pushed the door open and stood in the doorway.

Even in a casual blazer, he filled the room. Alpha power rolled off him with every breath.

When he saw me crouched by the suitcase, he paused. "What are you packing for?"

I didn't look up, just shoved my lab notebook inside. "Making room for Elara."

Keane was quiet for two seconds. Then his warm, rough palm settled on my waist.

"Talise, thank you for giving up the master suite. When all this is over, I'll make it up to you and then some."

His voice was low and husky.

He smelled like whiskey and tobacco, the same as always.

Last winter, after too many all-nighters in the lab, I passed out, and Keane held me just like this. "Sweetheart, you never take care of yourself," he teased with a laugh. "Guess I'll have to look after you from now on."

I called him bossy, but secretly my heart was full.

Now, in those same arms, all I could think about was him holding Elara and stroking her belly.

My eyes stung.

I gently pushed him away. "I still have to help Elara move in tomorrow."

"No need to wait until tomorrow," he said with a quiet sigh. "Elara's already downstairs. The Elder Council wants her moved in as soon as possible."

I froze.

I ran straight downstairs. Elara stood at the door, stroking the small curve of her belly.

She wore a proud, smug smile.

But my eyes locked on the skin above her collar. Her neck had been smooth before. Now there was an Alpha's mark on it, plain as day.

I stood rooted to the spot.

Keane had told me he was saving the mark for the night of our mating ceremony.

I'd laughed at him for being old-fashioned, but it had made me feel cherished.

And now the mark that should have been mine was on another she-wolf.

"Talise?" Elara tilted her head. "Did you come down to welcome me?"

"That mark on your neck. When did that happen?" My voice came out cold.

Everything went silent.

The Omegas carrying her bags held their breath. Nobody dared say a word.

Keane, who'd followed me down, hesitated. "The doctor said Elara is too weak. An Alpha's mark helps her feel better... It's not what you think."

He shoved a chair out of his way and strode over to take my hand. "It's only a temporary... mark. Once the baby's born, it can be removed. I promise."

"A wolf can't mark more than one mate," I said, my lip curling as I looked at him. "So you don't plan to touch me for a whole year, right? For the sake of your baby."

Keane went rigid.

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Maybe it was guilt.

Maybe it was stubbornness.

Maybe he felt torn.

In the end, silence was the only answer he gave me.

I turned to go, but Keane grabbed my wrist, his voice raw. "Talise, don't do this. I told you, you'll be the only Luna. Next month, I'm giving you the biggest, most perfect mating ceremony. I swear!"

I almost laughed out loud.

What good is a mating ceremony if we can't even bond?

He'd already marked someone else.

He'd given me up.

"Talise," Elara said, giving Keane a sympathetic look, "the Alpha and I did this for the pup. You have to understand what a hard position he's in—"

"Shut up," I cut her off flatly. Then I turned to Keane. "Of course your mark should protect Elara. She's pregnant, after all. I'll send over the rest of the blessing charms from the Moon Goddess suite too."

"Talise..." Keane hesitated, sounding pained.

I ignored him, pulled my hand free, and walked away.

Behind me, I heard Elara soothing him softly. "Alpha, the Luna is a half-blood, after all. She doesn't understand what a pureblood heir means to the pack..."

I walked faster. I didn't want to hear another word.

Back in my room, I locked the door. My laptop screen showed two unread emails.

One was the onboarding packet from the research team.

The other was from my mentor, Dylan Mercer. "Talise! The team lost so much when you gave up your research. Now you've finally come to your senses. On behalf of the Mediterranean International Medical Team, welcome back!"

I covered my eyes. So many emotions hit me at once, but no tears came.