CHAPTER 2

Raina

The sun was already rising… and Kael still wasn’t back.

But I wasn’t worried.

This wasn’t new.

In fact, I was relieved. Peace was rare in this house, and Kael’s absence gave me a chance to breathe—to exist without fear.

For a moment, I just lay in bed, soaking it in. The silence. The space. The way my own heartbeat wasn’t competing with dread.

But peace in this house never lasted long. Not unless I earned it.

So I sat up, slowly, ignoring the ache between my legs and the bruises on my ribs. If I wanted to keep things quiet when Kael got home, everything had to be perfect. The food. The house. Me.

I slipped into one of my old dresses and tied my hair back.

By the time I was in the kitchen, I was already humming. A song I hadn’t sung in years—the one Selene taught me when we were little. A silly tune about moonflowers and stars.

I used to love that song.

Selene and I… we used to be close. Closer than anything.

She was the only person who ever stood up for me. The only one who ever showed me what kindness felt like.

I remembered this one day—years ago. I’d burnt the evening meal. Completely ruined it. Darius had raised his cane, ready to strike, face red with rage. I’d shut my eyes, bracing for the pain…

But it never came.

Selene had jumped in front of me, shouting, arms wide, refusing to move until he backed down. They fought that night—loud and angry—but she never let him touch me.

That was Selene. My big sister. My shield.

But all of that died the night of the mate revelation ceremony.

I would never forget the way she looked at me. Her swollen eyes. Her trembling hands. The disbelief. The hatred.

I lost her that night.

The sister I knew vanished in one heartbeat.

I wiped my hands on my apron and sighed. Maybe one day she’d realize none of this was my fault. That I didn’t ask to be fated to the man she loved. That I would’ve given him to her if I could.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell.

I froze. My heart dropped. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

As I reached for the handle, something felt off. Too quiet.

I unlocked the door.

And it swung open—slamming into me.

Selene barged in like a storm, wearing a stunning blue dress—wrinkled and torn at the hem like she’d been out all night living a dream.

Behind her… Kael.

He walked in like nothing was wrong. Like the man who’d left me bleeding on the floor didn’t exist.

He scooped Selene into his arms and laid her gently on the couch. He stroked her face. Kissed her cheek. Tucked her hair behind her ear.

Soft.

Loving.

The way he’d never touched me.

They didn’t even see me standing there. Or maybe they did, and they just didn’t care.

Because right there, in our living room, Kael made love to my sister.

Slow. Passionate. Like they were the only two people in the world.

I couldn’t move.

My legs were locked.

My heart… shattered.

The ache in my body returned. But this time it wasn’t from last night. It was from watching the man I was mated to—the man who claimed me—treat someone else like a goddess.

Tears blurred my vision. My throat burned.

I ran. Straight to the bedroom. Threw myself on the bed and cried until I couldn’t breathe.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The smoke detector.

Shit.

I had left the soup on the stove.

I shot up and ran into the kitchen.

The pot was smoking. The stew was ruined.

Kael and Selene followed behind, covering their noses.

“You trying to kill us?” Selene snapped. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“She can’t even cook,” Kael muttered.

Selene laughed bitterly. “After stealing the love of my life, the least you can do is not burn the damn house down.”

“I didn’t steal—” I started, voice cracking.

“Please,” she scoffed. “The Moon Goddess made a mistake. You were just there at the wrong time. Do you honestly think you deserve him?”

I stepped back.

Then Kael grabbed my hair from behind and slammed me against the counter.

Pain exploded in my face.

He hit me again. Then again.

Right there. In front of Selene.

She didn’t stop him.

She watched.

When they finally left me on the floor, I lay still, dazed.

Blood ran down my chin. My arms trembled. I crawled back toward the bedroom to clean up—

But the door was locked.

From the inside.

Kael’s voice.

Selene’s laughter.

Then the sounds.

The sounds.

Her moans.

Their pleasure.

Right behind the door I used to call my own.

I beat on it with my fists, sobbing.

Begging.

Screaming.

It was my only way of fighting back.

Half an hour passed before the door finally opened.

Selene stood there. Wearing nothing but red lingerie. Hair tousled. Smug.

“As you can see,” she said, voice sweet and sharp, “I’ve moved into my rightful husband’s room. You know, the one you stole.”

I was shaking.

She leaned closer. “I don’t want to see you around. Sleep in the maids’ dorm from now on. Unless, of course, you enjoy watching us—because we’re just getting started.”

She tossed a bundle of old clothes onto the floor. “You can wear those. I was going to throw them out, but they suit you.”

My hands clenched into fists.

All my clothes… my things… my scent… were still in that room.

She had claimed everything.

I couldn’t take it.

I ran.

Out of the house.

Shifted mid-sprint.

My wolf burst through the trees, racing through the forest, tears in my fur, heart in pieces.

There was only one place left to go.

Tara’s.