Chapter 3

I smiled and made the little girl a promise when I said goodbye.

"I'll paint something new very soon. I won't make you wait too long."

Kade's heavy footsteps came from behind me.

He walked up to me with a frown. There was obvious displeasure in his eyes.

"What are you dawdling for? You aren't picking out snow goggles. You aren't trying on gloves."

"Stop making a fuss. I promise I'll make a special trip to buy rare paints with you next time. Okay?"

When it came to me, it was always "next time."

But whenever Ruby wanted something, she got it immediately.

Last month, she wanted a limited-edition snowboard. Kade had his assistant ship it overnight from out of state. It was placed in our entryway before dawn.

I wanted a rare set of paintbrushes. He promised to ask a friend to bring them.

I waited joyfully for a week. I asked if the package had arrived.

He gave me an apologetic smile. "Ah, I'm sorry. I've been so busy with pack duties lately that it completely slipped my mind. Don't be mad at me, okay?"

In Kade's heart, I was no longer someone worth remembering.

Perhaps I looked upset. His tone suddenly softened.

"She's your sister. As the Luna, why must you bicker with her?"

I nodded quietly.

He saw me compromise and smiled in satisfaction. He reached out and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "When we go to Moonstone Lake, I'll have my assistant book the best photography team."

"I'll make up for it by taking the most perfect wedding photos for you. You'll be the most breathtaking bride once again."

Ruby and Leo came out of the store. They carried bags of all sizes. Their faces were full of excitement.

"Let's go. We bought all the latest gear."

Kade looked at her with doting eyes. He naturally took the shopping bags from Ruby's hands.

A blizzard suddenly started. The temperature dropped to freezing in an instant.

The back seat of the SUV was piled high with snowboards and expensive gear. Ruby didn't even hesitate. She pulled open the passenger door and got in.

I stood by the car door. The blood from my calf had already soaked through my sock. I was just about to squeeze into the back seat. Suddenly, Leo covered his nose.

"It smells terrible!" He looked at me with disgust.

Ruby furrowed her brows right on cue. She acted as if the metallic tang of blood made her sick.

Kade glanced at the hard boards in the back seat. Then he looked at my bleeding leg. A clear hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

"How about I take a few snowboards out first..."

Just as he turned around, Ruby shivered. She let out a fragile sneeze from the passenger seat.

"Kade, it's so cold in the car." Her voice trembled. Leo immediately chimed in and coughed loudly twice. "Dad, Aunt Ruby is freezing. Let's go home quickly!"

I could almost predict how Kade would react. Sure enough, he let out a soft sigh.

"The car is packed with luggage. There's simply no room for you. If something fell and hit you, I would never forgive myself. Let me have the pack clinic send a car to pick you up, okay? Just wait here a little longer."

Before I could speak, Leo reached out and slammed the car door shut.

The car door slammed heavily against my bleeding calf.

A sharp pain struck me. I stumbled backward. I stepped on some hidden ice under the snow and crashed right into the snowbank.

My palms were scraped raw. Snow packed into my sleeves.

I looked up. The taillights flashed twice. Kade stepped on the gas. The car drove off.

The biting winter wind scraped across my cheeks like razor blades.

My wolf grew weak after the rogue attack, making me prone to the cold.

I remembered that winter when he took me to the pack borders. He parked the car far away. I shivered from the cold.

Without a word, Kade opened his coat. He wrapped my entire body inside it. He rested his chin on the top of my head as we walked.

"Cora, if you get cold, my heart will ache."

Now, he had just abandoned me in a blizzard.

My body heat drained away incredibly fast in the freezing snow. I had smashed my phone against the curb when I fell. The screen was completely shattered.

I waited in the snow for a very long time. That supposed clinic car never showed up.

I could only drag my bleeding leg. I followed the streetlights toward our territory.

I didn't know how long I walked. Pack Enforcers drove by. They recognized me and stopped their car.

"Luna? Why are you here all alone? Do you want me to contact the Alpha?"

My lips were purple from the cold. My voice trembled when I spoke.

But I shook my head resolutely. "No need."