Chapter 2

That evening, when Cassian returned home, his eyes still held their usual tenderness.

"Kaia," he called out with a smile, holding up a small box. "Look what I brought you."

But when he saw my red-rimmed eyes, he froze. The gift slipped from his hand as he rushed to my side without hesitation. "Why did you cry? What happened?"

I stared at him as a heavy weight pressed on my chest. I wanted to scream and ask him about the she-wolf who claimed to be his mate, but my throat burned, and no words would come out. At last, I rasped in a hoarse voice, "I was just reading a book earlier. The story was very touching."

Cassian let out a sigh of relief. He pulled me into his arms and held me tightly against his chest. "I thought something had happened to you. Don't cry, honey. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

He leaned down and gently kissed the tip of my nose, then took my hand to show me the gift he had carefully prepared. "It's a perfume I made for you using frostweed and evening primrose. It's the only one of its kind in the whole pack. Go on, see if you like the scent."

I looked at the thoughtfully chosen gift. Any time before today, I would've accepted it with joy, marveling at how much he spoiled me. But now, it only sharpened the agony inside me.

I forced a smile. "I love it."

Cassian kissed my cheek and then turned to walk into the kitchen with familiar ease. Every year, on the anniversary of our mate bond, he would personally cook a lavish dinner and bake my favorite blueberry cake. This year was no exception.

When I looked over, his tall frame was silhouetted with an unmistakable tenderness under the warm, yellow light.

Soon, the dining table was laden with dishes as exquisite as works of art. Candlelight flickered, and the blueberry cake filled the air with the scent of fruit and cream. Everything appeared perfect.

Cassian fixed his gaze, deep and full of emotion, on me. "Today marks five years since we became mates. I hope we can spend every future anniversary together. I'll always be right by your side, protecting you as we grow old together."

When I looked at how in love with me he appeared to be, my heart twisted with pain.

Before I could even form a response, Cassian's phone rang. He glanced at it, declined the call, and smiled at me calmly. The next second, it rang again.

I set down my cutlery. "Is there something urgent? Why aren't you answering?"

"It's just my Beta," he said almost carelessly, though the icy edge in his voice betrayed him.

This time, he answered the call. "I told you—no matter what happens, do not disturb me today."

I couldn't hear the reply on the other end, but I saw Cassian's brow furrow briefly before smoothing out again. After ending the call, he resumed eating as if nothing was wrong.

It wasn't until we were nearly finished that he finally spoke again. "Something urgent came up in the pack. I'll go handle it quickly and come straight back. Tonight still belongs only to us. I swear."

I nodded. "Okay, go ahead."

Satisfied, Cassian kissed my forehead, grabbed his jacket, and turned to leave.

After he left, I sat still for a few moments before rising to call a cab and follow him. The cab brought me to an upscale neighborhood I had never seen before.

As soon as Cassian got out of his car, a she-wolf anxiously rushed out to meet him. Her face was illuminated under the streetlights. I recognized her in an instant. She was the she-wolf who had claimed to be the Luna and visited Cassian at the pack infirmary—Elara Wolfhart.

A pup of about four years old broke free from her arms and ran toward Cassian, shouting excitedly, "Daddy!"