Chapter 2

The next morning, Julian acted like yesterday never happened. He took me to the council hall to go over the ceremony steps.

Two thrones made of black obsidian sat at the end of the hall. They represented the absolute rule of the Alpha and Luna.

I took a deep breath and walked toward the right throne, the Luna seat.

My fingers barely brushed the armrest. Julian grabbed my shoulder. His grip clamped down like iron.

"You sit over there," he said. He pointed down the steps to a plain wooden chair. That was the Beta seat.

I froze. Cold dread washed over me. "I am your future Luna. You want me off the throne and down by the stairs?"

Julian sighed and stood in front of me.

"Stop making a scene, Chloe. The Northern Pack sent emissaries, and they arrive tonight. Stella is our Lead Warrior. She sits beside me to show our strength." His voice softened, dripping with fake kindness. "You are wolfless. Sitting down there keeps you safe. I can watch over you."

"That is the Luna throne!"

"It is just a chair. It does not change the fact that you are my mate." He frowned, treating me like a spoiled child.

The double doors swung open.

Stella strutted in, wearing sharp black combat leathers. She walked straight to the black obsidian Luna throne and dropped into it.

She looked down at me with a smirk.

"Think of the pack, Chloe. Once you have the strength to protect our people, you can have your seat back."

Julian looked at her with pure pride and trust. He walked over and poured her a glass of water.

I stood below the steps, watching them side by side.

Stella's power was her golden ticket. Me, his fated mate, did not even rate a real chair.

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat. I turned away, walked to the wooden chair, and sat down in silence.

"Good," Julian said, pleased. "Now, let us go get your ceremony blade."

Fire roared in the master blacksmith's forge.

The old smith stepped forward, holding a black velvet box with deep respect.

He opened the lid. A stunning bone dagger lay inside.

It was no ordinary blade. The smith spent three full months carving it from the fang Julian shed during his first shift. It was the mate blade.

During the ceremony, I was supposed to cut his palm with it to seal our souls together. It meant the Alpha surrendered his ultimate weakness to his Luna.

I reached out, my fingers trembling.

"Julian!"

Stella's voice cut through the air.

She stormed into the forge, her face tight. "The Northerners refuse to camp outside our borders. I have to face them tonight."

Julian turned on his heel. "Is it dangerous?"

"They brought berserkers." Stella stared hungrily at the bone dagger. "I need your authority to hold the line. Lend me the fang blade."

My breath hitched.

"No!" the old smith gasped. "Alpha, this is the sacred Luna blade! If another wolf touches it, the ceremony will reject it!"

"Rules change with the times," Julian said, his eyes cold. He grabbed the bone dagger without hesitation.

He turned to hand it to Stella.

I locked my fingers around his wrist. "Julian, this is our mate token. You swore you carved this for your Luna!"

Julian looked at me. Guilt flickered in his eyes, but he only sounded annoyed.

"Chloe, Stella is putting her life on the line! She is defending your home! Are you really throwing a fit over a piece of bone right now?"

He shook me off and turned to Stella. He handed her the blade.

"Stay safe. If talks turn bad, draw blood. I have your back." His voice dropped into a low, gentle whisper, filled with pure devotion.

I stared as he smoothed Stella's hair behind her ear.

Once, I asked him to zip up my dress, and he snapped at me for being needy.

He knew how to be gentle. He just saved all of it for the great Lead Warrior.

Stella flashed me a mocking smile and walked away.

Silence swallowed the forge.

Julian turned back to me. He finally noticed my pale face.

He frowned, reached up to the tool rack, and grabbed a plain steel dagger. He shoved it into my hands.

"Use this for tonight," he said, as if it meant nothing. "Steel is sharp. It hurts less when you cut your palm."

I held the cheap, generic blade. I did not cry. I did not scream.

I just stared at him like he was a total stranger.

"Okay," I whispered.

Julian blinked, surprised by how easily I gave in. Relief spread across his face. "Good girl. I have to check the perimeter. Head back to the estate."

He walked out without looking back.

I stood there until his footsteps faded away.

I pulled out my cracked burner phone. A text from Maya popped up on the screen.

[The getaway car is at the north border. Wait for the blood oath tonight. When everyone bows, run for the tree line.]

I stared at the screen, my thumbs flying over the keys.

[I am not waiting for the blood oath.]

Maya texted back instantly. [What do you mean? Chloe, do not do anything crazy!]

I tightened my grip on the cheap steel dagger. The cold metal bit into my palm and cleared my head.

[It means I am cutting this mate bond in front of the whole pack tonight.]

I took out the SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed both pieces into the roaring forge.

Flames devoured the plastic, along with every last trace of my love for Julian.