Chapter 2

After we broke the bond, Corbin didn't contact me. Just like always, he lost himself in his time with Liana.

But this time, I was different.

I wasn't heartbroken. I wasn't obsessing over his every move, torturing myself by staying in their orbit.

"Are you sure you're done?" Maya asked, sliding a glass of champagne toward me at the werewolf bar. "He's your fated mate, after all."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Fated? He's rejected me seven times. What kind of fate is that?"

Maya shrugged. "At least he always comes back to you."

"That's because he can't bear to lose the power I bring him as Luna," I said, the words bitter as I downed my drink.

"He knows his pack's strength drops by a third without me."

It was true.

As the daughter of an Alpha, my wolf is blessed by the moon. Any Alpha I bond with gains significant power and status.

Corbin knew that. It’s why he couldn’t give up Liana, but didn’t dare truly lose me either.

"The Coalition gala is tonight," Maya said, waving the invitation. "Want to go? Get your mind off things? I hear there are some hot, wild young Alphas up from the South."

I nodded. Why not?

We arrived at the rooftop of the most luxurious hotel in the North. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the mingling werewolf elite.

I wore a simple, elegant black silk dress. Maya and I found a corner table and quietly sipped our drinks.

Then I smelled it. Cedarwood. The scent that once brought me peace now twisted my gut.

I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat.

I didn't have to look. I knew Corbin was here.

I turned and saw him walk into the VIP section, his arm wrapped around Liana.

She was in a white lace dress tonight, looking like a pure, innocent princess.

"Shit," Maya muttered. "Want to leave?"

"Why?" I said calmly, cutting into my steak. "We have an invitation."

Corbin’s gaze swept the room, and his eyes landed on me for a few seconds.

No nod. No acknowledgment.

It was the possessive glare of a man inspecting his property. Behave, it screamed. Don't embarrass me.

Fine by me.

Ten minutes later, Liana glided over to our table.

"Astrid," she cooed, her voice sickly sweet. "What a coincidence."

I put down my fork and knife. "It sure is."

"But…" She gave an apologetic little smile. "Corbin mentioned he only wanted to be surrounded by happy faces tonight. Could you maybe… find another table? This area is—"

"A public event for the Werewolf Coalition," Maya cut in. "Not your living room."

Liana's smile froze for a split second before she bit her lip, looking sadly toward Corbin in the distance.

He felt her gaze instantly.

His golden eyes cut through the crowd and locked onto me.

There was no warmth in his eyes. Only a raw, undisguised command. Obey her, Astrid. Don't make me put you in your place. Not here.

Before, my wolf would have been raging.

But now?

I simply stood up gracefully and smiled at Liana. "Of course."

Maya's eyes went wide. "Astrid—"

I took her hand. "Let's go. The steak here isn't that great anyway."

A triumphant smile spread across Liana's face. "Thanks for understanding."

We gathered our things to leave.

Just then, a young wolf approached Corbin's table.

"Alpha, Miss Liana, you two are a perfect match."

A few other pack leaders chimed in.

"Yeah, so much better than that—"

"Shh," someone hissed. "Don't mention her."

They thought they were whispering. But with werewolf hearing…

I kept my face perfectly neutral as I packed my purse.

Maya, however, was flushing with anger. "Those assholes—"

"Forget it." I pulled her toward the exit. "They aren't worth it."

As we passed Corbin's table, I felt his complicated gaze on me.

It was wary, searching, confused… and something else.

I didn't look at him.

I just pulled Maya along, walking right past him like he was thin air.

"Corbin?" Liana's voice trailed after us. "What are you looking at?"

I didn't turn around, but I could feel that burning stare fixed on my back.

"Corbin?" she called again, a note of impatience in her voice.

"Corbin!" This time, her voice was sharp.

I pushed open the hotel doors, and the night air hit my face.

Maya followed, glancing over her shoulder. "He couldn't take his eyes off you. That little princess was losing her mind. She had to call his name three times before he finally, slowly, dragged his gaze away."