Chapter 2

When I pushed open the door to Caden’s house, I almost thought I was in the wrong place.

The clean scent I knew so well—a mix of herbs and his own cedarwood—was gone, suffocated by the sickly sweet scent of an Omega. It was so thick it was nauseating.

I pushed open the door to what used to be my room and froze.

My shelves of potions and herbs were gone. In their place stood a wall of ornate closets, filled with Vanessa's dresses and jewelry.

"You're here."

Caden's lazy voice came from behind me.

He was wearing a black silk robe, his hair damp. A fresh, sharp bite mark stood out on his neck. A claim mark. Vanessa's.

"My herbs and my equipment?"

"Tossed them," he said casually. "She said she didn't like the smell."

"Where?"

Caden gestured toward the backyard with his chin. "Next to the burn pit. You can deal with it yourself."

I followed him to the corner where junk was piled up.

All my belongings were tossed on the ground like trash.

My custom-made crystal mortar and pestle were shattered. My precious, ancient herbology books were trampled and torn.

And there, broken in several pieces, was the obsidian wolf-fang totem I’d spent a month carving for him, designed to ward off curses.

"It wasn't anything valuable anyway," Caden sighed, seeing my numb expression. "Just throw it all out. If you need anything, I'll buy you new stuff."

Not valuable?

I picked up the broken totem, and along with everything else he had destroyed, I tossed it into the nearby burn pit.

Flames roared to life, devouring four years of my devotion.

Caden’s brow furrowed instantly.

But I just smiled. "You're right, Alpha. It's all worthless junk. I'm better off without it."

Including my misplaced feelings.

Caden watched me from behind, his face grim.

I didn't look at him again. I took the pack departure application from my bag. "This document. Once you sign it—"

Caden took the paper and was about to read it when the front door was suddenly thrown open.

"Caden!" Vanessa's voice, laced with tears, rang out. "My foot..."

She limped in, her face tear-streaked.

Caden's attention snapped to her. He hastily scribbled his name on the document, then shoved past me to rush to her side.

"What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, his voice full of alarm as he steadied her.

"I was walking in the garden and I twisted my ankle..." Vanessa sobbed. "It hurts so much..."

Caden carefully helped her to a seat, kneeling before her to inspect her ankle.

I had been knocked to the ground when he pushed past me.

A sharp pain shot through my own ankle as it twisted under me.

But no one noticed.

Biting my lip to keep from crying out, I silently made my way to the door.

Before I left, I took one last look back.

Vanessa was nestled in Caden’s arms, whining sweetly. And Caden’s eyes, filled with an adoration that could melt stone, were only for her.

I walked out that door, knowing I would never be back.