Chapter 2

I stumbled back home, shut the door, and sank onto the couch, crying until my throat was hoarse.

When I first suggested holding our marking ceremony at Moonlight Bay, Mason looked at me with a soft smile and said, "Sure."

I thought he understood why I chose it. It was where we first met, the night rogues attacked.

I had thrown myself in front of him when the fire swept through the clearing, taking the blow in his place. The scars on my skin were the price I still carried.

At the hospital, he held my hand and wept. He stayed by my side for three sleepless nights and promised me a lifetime of happiness.

It turned out those promises fell apart the first time they were tested.

I was still crying when my phone rang. Mason called from somewhere loud, music and laughter spilling through the line.

"I'm not coming home tonight," he said.

Before I could answer, the line went dead.

Sometime after midnight, my best friend, Fiona Olsen, woke me with another call.

She'd sent a screenshot of Mason's social media. In the photo, Serena slumped tipsy against his chest while his hand circled her waist.

Someone commented, "Mason, you're about to get marked. Don't cross the line."

Mason didn't explain. He simply replied, "If Cora can't take this, she shouldn't be Luna."

He had hidden the post from me. He knew it would upset me, but he did it anyway.

Fiona said angrily, "He's still flirting with another woman when he's about to be marked. Cora, you shouldn't make him your mate."

"I got it," I said expressionlessly and then ended the call.

I'd already made up my mind. I was done with him.

A few days later, I went to the hospital for my skin graft.

The doctor blinked when I walked in alone. "No one with you?"

I nodded. "I'm fine. I can handle it."

I spent those observation days by myself. And Mason never once called.

One afternoon, I stepped into the corridor and saw Mason guiding Serena by the elbow.

He spoke gently. "The doctor found nothing. You're fine."

Serena leaned against him and said weakly, "My head still hurts. Do you think he was lying?"

"I'll take you home," he said patiently. "I'm clearing everything for the next few days to stay by your side."

I watched their backs recede and let out a cold laugh.

When I finally returned to our place, the apartment sat hollow and quiet. Mason didn't come back until the third day.

He froze when he saw me, guilt flashing and vanishing as he straightened. "I've been swamped. Pack business hasn't stopped."

I scoffed. "Maybe wash off the perfume before you say that."

He flinched.

"And your pocket," I added. "You still have Serena's medical chart."

"You followed me?" His eyes went bloodshot in a blink.

"I didn't follow you," I said calmly. "You took her to the same hospital where I had my follow-up."

Some of his anger ebbed away. "You... You had your follow-up?"

"Yeah. I told you, but you didn't remember," I replied.

He scoffed. "It looks like you're healing fine without me."

"Right," I said. "I'm not a delicate little thing."

Something in him snapped. He jabbed a finger at me and barked, "What is your problem? Serena has no one in this city. She got sick, so I took care of her. You're about to be Luna. If you're this petty, how am I supposed to trust you to run the pack with me?"

I looked down and let out a bitter laugh. "I don't have anyone in this pack either."

I had crossed borders to join his pack, worked for him without complaint, and staked everything on the hope that he was the kind of man who could make me happy.

His expression tightened as he muttered, "You're different. You have me..."

Just then, his phone rang. Serena's muffled sobs spilled through the speaker.

The anger vanished from Mason's face, replaced by nothing but worry and fear. "Don't cry. What happened?"

"The power went out. I'm scared..."

"It's okay. I'm coming," he said hurriedly.

He grabbed his coat, yanked open the door, then paused long enough to look back at me. "If you touch Serena because you're jealous, don't blame me for how I respond."

He left without another word.

I had better things to do than waste time on Serena.

I checked the countdown on my screen. There were just three days left before the ceremony.

I messaged the coordinator and went over every detail. Everything seemed to be on track.

Three nights from now, the moonlight over the bay would be lovelier than ever.