Chapter 2

The pinned contact was labeled: My Precious Omega - Elena.

I tapped open the chat. Besides the disgusting lovey-dovey emojis, there were tons of private messages between him and Elena, and… a close-up photo of the temporary mark on the back of my neck.

The text below it, every word a stab to the heart.

"I told you, I'm just using her. That temporary mark? I'll wipe it off myself after the ceremony. Aria will lose everything in front of all the packs. From now on, the only one who will be my Luna, who will receive my permanent mark, is you, my precious Elena."

"Before you officially become my Luna, I'll clear away all obstacles, including that bitch's daughter. After this, only supreme honor and an Alpha's complete devotion await you."

"Elena, I love you. Your pure Omega scent is the home I long for."

I looked up at the teddy bear on the nightstand, the one he’d given me six years ago.

In the dim light, the bear’s obsidian eyes glinted faintly. It was the indicator light of a tiny surveillance camera.

So, from the very beginning, he'd been plotting how to completely remove me, this "obstacle."

And I, like a fool, was still lost in his fake love and possessiveness.

Thinking I'd found my happily ever after.

I opened Connor's encrypted photo album.

My eyes landed on picture after picture of him and Elena, intimately close.

They'd been tangled up for years.

The photos documented every secret meeting, every time Elena was practically oozing her enticing Omega scent in his arms.

Every important full moon, he’d make excuses about being swamped with company business, needing to be alone.

In reality, he was spending it with Elena in their secret territory.

Every token he gave me, supposedly symbolizing our mate bond?

Elena had one too, and hers were always more precious, more unique.

Elena had the Alpha's favoritism, something I'd never truly had.

The second encrypted chat on his phone was with the pack's ceremony planner.

This so-called "Marking ceremony"—Connor had been secretly planning it for six months.

From big decisions like the venue, to small details like the guest list.

He'd handled everything personally.

He even designed the part where my "traitor's daughter" identity would be "accidentally" revealed at the ceremony, to maximize the humiliation.

All just to tear apart our fake mate bond in front of everyone.

The moment Connor walked out of the bathroom, still damp and radiating his hot Alpha scent, I quickly turned off the phone screen.

I booked myself an international flight for three days later – the day of the ceremony.

At dinner, Connor's father, the former Alpha, kept bringing up Connor choosing a Luna.

Connor pretended to be annoyed, brushing it off.

He’d set the Marking ceremony for three days from now.

My dinner knife scraped loudly against my plate, out of control.

The meal tasted like chewing on cardboard.

After dinner, Mom called me into the study, her eyes filled with worry.

"Why do you suddenly want to leave? Didn't you say Connor's Alpha scent made you feel safe? Have you told him you're leaving?"

Seeing the new white hairs at her temples, my nose stung.

"No. I hope you can keep this from him for me."

"Mom, after I'm gone, please take care of yourself. And don't listen to any of that pack gossip."

I knew Mom had already endured so much, just to barely survive on the fringes of the pack with me, "the traitor's daughter."

No matter what Connor thought, my father never betrayed the pack, and my mother never interfered in his parents' bond.

They didn't deserve to have their reputations ruined.

Back in my bedroom, Connor was already shirtless, lounging lazily on the bed, waiting for me. The air was thick with his overpowering, aggressive scent.

When I came in, he reached out a long arm, easily pulling me into his embrace, his hot chest pressed against my back.

His wet, hot lips and tongue nibbled at my ear, the side of my neck, his voice low and hoarse with desire.

"Angry? Hmm? You know our relationship can't be completely public yet. I'll take care of the ceremony stuff. Just think of it as a cover, a show. Don't overthink it, my little beta." His hot breath fanned over the sensitive skin of my neck.

"Aria, don't worry, my Alpha instincts only stir for you. Stop being difficult, okay? I got you a gift, it'll be here tomorrow. You're going to love it, hmm?" His hand started to roam.

I fought back the nausea and shame churning inside me, forced a compliant smile, and nodded.

He didn't seem to notice anything was wrong. He hummed, satisfied, and pulled me tighter, his chin resting on top of my head.

After a moment, he spoke with a hint of hesitation, but his voice still carried an Alpha's undeniable authority:

"It's just… the pack's Marking ceremony is a big deal, can't be rushed. As… the closest person to me, maybe you…"

"Okay, I'll go," I cut him off softly.

I knew what he wanted to say.

Better to play along with his "performance" than wait for him to vaguely grant me some unclear status.

At least I could keep a tiny shred of dignity.

He seemed a little surprised by my change in attitude, but he'd gotten what he wanted, so he didn't bother digging into why.

That night, he slept in my room again, wrapped me tight in his powerful Alpha scent, like I was his most precious treasure.

And I was like a soulless puppet, letting him do whatever he wanted.

Early the next morning, before most of the pack was awake, Connor slipped out of my room, just like always.

He was barely out the door before I left too.

I went to take care of all the paperwork needed to disappear completely from the werewolf world and submitted an application to permanently erase my scent markings.

I never expected to run into Elena there.