Chapter 2

When I returned to the pack villa, the living room lights were on.

Ethan was sitting on the sofa loosening his tie. When he saw me enter, he immediately came over.

"Ivy, where have you been? I tried to mind-link you, but you blocked me out."

He smelled faintly of Moonflowers, mixed with the cheap, cloying perfume of an Omega in heat.

My sensitive nose stung. Instinctively, I took a step back, holding my breath to avoid his embrace.

"I went for a walk on the edge of the forest."

Ethan didn't notice anything wrong. Excitedly, he pulled out a black-and-dollar access card. "By the way, the Manor is finally finished. Shall we go stay there for two nights this weekend? You’re going to love it."

Go where? To that patch of mud he and Daisy rolled around in?

I suppressed the urge to shift and tear his throat out. "I’m busy this weekend."

Ethan paused, then noticed the gift box in my hand.

His displeasure vanished instantly, replaced by a bright look. "Is that for me?"

"Mhm."

I handed him the box.

Ethan took it and started to open it. "What is it? Wolf-tooth cufflinks? Or an obsidian tie clip? It’s rare for my Luna to be this romantic."

"Don't open it yet."

I pressed down on his hand, the corner of my mouth curving into a smile that held no warmth. "Open it in a week."

"Why?"

"Because it’s a big gift. You need to pick a good day, ideally a full moon."

It was the "surprise" I had prepared for him. Naturally, it would be most stimulating if he opened it the moment I disappeared completely.

Blinded by my rare smile, Ethan was curious but compliant. He placed the box on the top shelf of the display cabinet. "Alright, I’ll listen to my Luna. I’ll open it in a week."

He didn't notice that the platinum blood diamond ring on my ring finger was gone.

His mind had long since left this den.

The next evening.

Ethan mysteriously blindfolded me and led me to the car.

"To make up for being so busy with pack affairs lately, I’ve arranged something special tonight."

When the car stopped, I opened my eyes.

It was the largest fantasy theme park in the territory.

There were no tourists tonight, only dazzling magical lights and a slowly rotating Ferris wheel.

"I rented the whole place out." Ethan took my hand, looking at me with deep affection. "I remember you said you wanted to ride the Ferris wheel once without other wolves bothering us."

Nearby, the wolf guards looked at us with envy.

"The Alpha is totally whipped."

"Is this what top-tier love looks like? It’s so sweet."

I let him hold my hand, acting like a puppet with its strings cut.

Ethan was attentive to a fault. He bought me hot deer milk, crouched down to tie my shoelaces, and even protected my head on the roller coaster, afraid the strong wind would mess up my hair.

If I hadn't seen that video, I really would have believed he was the male who loved me most in this world.

"Ivy, I’m going to buy some ice cream. Sit here for a bit."

Ethan settled me on a bench and turned toward a stall not far away.

I watched his retreating back. I was about to reach for my phone when I noticed Ethan had left his phone on the bench.

Just then, it rang.

No contact name. Just a symbol of a pink paw print.

I didn't answer it. Instead, acting on impulse, I grabbed the phone, lowered my breathing, and stalked after him silently like a hunter.

Ethan hadn't gone to buy ice cream.

He was standing in the shadows behind the ice cream stall, holding a phone, talking to someone.

His usually commanding voice was now frivolous and explicit.

"What is it? Little slut, in heat again?"

I stopped, hiding behind a massive statue of the Wolf Progenitor. My sharp claws dug deep into my palms, piercing the skin.

I couldn't hear what the other side said, but Ethan chuckled low in his throat. "Jealous? Tonight is just to pacify her. Be a good girl."

"I wanted to go to the theme park too... You never take me..." Daisy's voice came through the speaker, sugary and whining. In the quiet night, my heightened hearing caught every word.

"Okay, okay, I’ll take you."

Ethan glanced at the Ferris wheel nearby and said casually, "Since you like it, I bought the park. It’s your toy now. You can come play whenever you want, mate wherever you want. It’s up to you."

"Really? Ethan, you’re the best! I want to do it on the carousel..."

"You little slut. Just wait. I’ll send her away in a bit, and then I'll satisfy you tonight."

Ethan hung up, rearranged his facial expression, and turned to buy the ice cream.

I stood in the distant shadows, watching this hypocritical, nauseating Alpha, and felt my heart finally turn to stone.