Chapter 1

"Laila is coming with us to the Black Rose Pack. Make sure to get them the tickets," said Philip while I was sorting the gifts we were bringing back.

I stopped and looked at him, exhausted.

After Nick died, Philip started mentioning Laila all the time. He worried about her and Ray constantly.

She called him whenever something went wrong—like a broken door lock. She cried when Ray got a small cut and called him again.

Even at my birthday party, Philip left in the middle because Laila called. I had to face the guests alone.

I had tried to talk to him about it, but he shut me down with one sentence:

"Nick saved my life."

That killed all my complaints.

I stayed quiet. I had hoped one day Laila would move on, that Philip and I could go back to how things were.

A year had passed, and Laila was even more dependent on him.

She wanted to join us for family day.

I tried to stop it. "Family day is for us and our parents. Laila is not part of our family. She might feel awkward."

Philip frowned. "How is she not part of our family? She's close to us. Seeing us together reminds her of Nick. She cried again yesterday. I don't want her and Ray to feel alone. That is why I asked them to come."

"But this is one of the few times we get to be with our parents—"

Philip sighed. He spoke like he was calming a difficult child. "Family dinners are better with more people. My parents like Ray. They are happy to have them join us."

I stopped talking when I heard his parents were fine with it.

Philip made his decision and turned to leave.

"Laila has Ray with her, and I am helping her to pack up her luggage. Just leave the luggage by the door when you're done. I'll move it later."

I looked at the mess of bags and felt drained.

He never helped me pack in five years; he always said it was not a big deal. He only helped carry things.

Yet, he offered to help Laila without being asked.

I no longer wanted a marriage with someone always in the middle.

I picked up my phone and ordered a bond-breaking potion from the witch.

The potion would quietly break the mate bond between two werewolves who signed the Mate Bond Termination Agreement. The pain would hit both of us.

I planned to pick it up tomorrow before we left. I would also go to the pack's city hall and fill out the agreement.

After the trip to the Black Rose Pack, I would break the bond with Philip.

This would be the last time I saw his parents as their daughter-in-law. I would spend it well.