Chapter 2

Even in this broken-down pack, the elders insisted on a welcome dinner for Gavin and Sarah.

Candles flickered in the old, dusty hall, a weak attempt at a formal atmosphere.

I sat at the head table, watching Gavin and Sarah.

"Gavin, your tie is crooked," Sarah said softly, reaching out to fix it.

Her fingers brushed his chest, a casual, intimate touch.

Gavin paused but didn't push her away.

"Thanks," he murmured.

My nails dug into my palms.

"Careful, don't spill wine on your shirt," Sarah said, picking up a napkin to gently dab the corner of Gavin's mouth.

I used to do that for him. All the time.

Now, another woman was doing it for my mate, right in front of everyone.

The elders exchanged uneasy glances, whispering among themselves.

"Gavin, when will you merge the packs?" Elder Marcus asked.

Gavin put down his glass. "It will take some time. The North is still not stable."

Seven years, and still the same excuse.

"Elara has given so much for this pack," the elder's wife sighed. "So young, and forced to live like a widow..."

"She's not a widow," Sarah cut in, her voice sickly sweet. "Gavin has been here all along."

Her words cast an awkward silence over the table.

After dinner, Gavin's mother, Margaret, took my hand.

"Elara, you and Gavin will stay in the master bedroom tonight." Tears welled in her eyes. "My child, I know how hard it's been, waiting for him."

She pushed me toward the stairs. "Go on. You two need to talk."

The moment the bedroom door closed, Gavin turned to face me.

He was holding two documents.

"What the hell is this?" He slammed the papers down on the table.

One was a formal invitation from the Alliance Healers' Guild.

The other... a draft of a Mate Bond Severance Agreement.

A nervous growl rumbled in my chest. My wolf was on edge.

His brow furrowed. Then, comprehension dawned, followed by a cold, mocking sneer. "So that's it. No wonder you've been acting out all day. You're throwing a tantrum."

He stalked over to me, looming, his tone sickeningly sweet. "Elara, I know you're upset. But to threaten our bond over a little spat? Don't you think you're overreacting?"

When I didn't answer, his eyes turned to ice. He jabbed a finger at the invitation. "Or is it something else? Found yourself a new Alpha at the Guild? Who is he? Who gave you the nerve to write this?"

A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips.

The hypocrisy was staggering. He had another woman in the North, and he dared to accuse me?

I forced my wolf to settle. "The invitation is for a short-term exchange," I explained, my voice steady. "To trade for better resources for the pack. As for the severance agreement... it's for Tara. You remember? The omega who can't stand her beta mate."

Relief washed over Gavin’s face, replaced by that familiar, arrogant smirk.

Seeing that smug look, I couldn't resist pushing a little further. "But if—and this is just a hypothetical—if you ever betrayed me. If you had a pup with another she-wolf... I would leave you without a second thought."

"Impossible." Gavin reached for my hand, but I flinched away.

He didn't even seem annoyed.

If anything, my pulling back made him more certain.

"Elara, why would you even think that?" he soothed. "You waited seven years for me. I would never betray you. You are, and always will be, my Luna."

Then, he walked to the window and faced the moon.

"I swear to the Moon Goddess," he said, raising his right hand. His voice was solemn. "If I, Gavin Blackwood, have been unfaithful to my mate, may I lose my Alpha power and be cast out forever."

He didn't even flinch. The Goddess gave no sign. My wolf whimpered. Something was wrong.

He turned to me, his eyes full of emotion. "Elara, do you remember that battle three years ago?"

I said nothing.

"I nearly died on an enemy's silver blade." His voice trembled. "The charm you gave me saved my life. The healing energy you poured into it brought me back from the brink."

He walked toward me and took my hands. "I swear, I will bring you to the North as soon as I can. We'll have everything—power, wealth, glory..."

"I know you've suffered these past few years. But trust me, it will all be worth it."

His words were so sincere, his gaze so deep.

If I didn't know the truth, I might have believed him. I might have even been moved.

"Okay," I nodded. "I believe you."

The lie felt like acid on my tongue.

He lied to me for seven years. He wouldn't care if I lied to him once.

Gavin smiled, satisfied.

Later that night, I lay on the very edge of the bed.

When Gavin tried to move closer, I said instantly, "I was poisoned with silver today. I'm still weak."

He stopped.

In the early hours of the morning, he tried to pull me into his arms again.

"I have a headache," I said, my back to him.

Gavin sighed but didn't press the issue.

I closed my eyes, but my dreams were full of memories from seven years ago.

"Elara, when we unite the North, I'm going to have the most beautiful Luna crown made for you," a younger Gavin had said, squeezing my hand. "It will be set with Eternal Blooms, a symbol of our undying love."

"Really?" my eyes had shone with hope.

"I promise," he'd said, kissing my forehead.

But the dream suddenly shifted.

Yesterday, Sarah’s suitcase had spilled open, its contents scattered on the floor.

As I helped her pick things up, I saw an ornate jewelry box.

It was half-open. Inside lay a magnificent Luna crown.

It was set with Eternal Blooms.

Identical to the one Gavin had promised me.

I shot awake. The sun was already rising.

I could hear voices downstairs.

I dressed and went down. Sarah was chatting with Margaret.

"This girl is just so thoughtful," Margaret said, patting Sarah's hand. "All these years since Damien passed, you've stayed by Gavin's side, helping him get his revenge. It must have been so hard."

Sarah lowered her head shyly. "It was nothing. I just don't want to be a burden to Gavin and Elara. After all, I'm not the Luna anymore..."

A burden?

Who was it putting on a public display of affection at dinner last night?

I sat at the table and ate my breakfast in silence.

The atmosphere was suffocating.

Margaret kept praising Sarah, completely ignoring me as I sat right there.

Overnight, it was like her loyalty had shifted, too.

"Elara."

Gavin’s deep voice cut through the quiet.

I looked up at him.

His eyes held an expression I couldn't read.

"After breakfast, there's something I need to discuss with you."