Chapter 2

A complicated look flickered in Bruce’s deep eyes.

He stroked the back of my hand, soothing me like he always did. “Isadora, I can explain.”

“Explain what?”

He was silent for a few seconds, then said slowly, “Marking Seraphina was just to secure an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack. You know our pack needs stronger allies.”

I watched him, waiting for him to spin the rest of his lies.

“Seraphina is just an ex from eight years ago. We haven’t spoken since. There are no feelings involved.” His hand tightened on mine, his gaze as earnest as a master actor’s. “I’m only getting close to her to meet the Silvermoon Alpha at her birthday party in a week.”

Her birthday party in a week. My return ceremony.

“That’s right,” Bruce’s voice was a low, mesmerizing hum. “Once I have the Silvermoon Alpha’s support, I’ll break it off with her and have her mark removed. Isadora, you are my fated mate. Nothing will ever change that.”

He kissed my forehead. “Just bear with me for seven more days. Just seven. When the pack is stronger, I’ll give you the grandest Luna ceremony of all, so everyone will know your place.”

I listened quietly, feeling utterly exhausted.

Eight years. I was sick of the endless mind games, tired of hearing “just a little longer,” “soon,” and “almost there.”

But I still nodded. “Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

Until the truth came out, I would play along.

A relieved smile spread across Bruce’s face. He reached over to light the candle on the cake. “Come on, let’s make a wish for our ninth year together.”

Our ninth year.

I laughed bitterly to myself.

There won’t be a ninth year, Bruce.

Just as he held up the cake, his phone rang. The screen flashed with the name “Baby.”

The pet name was a punch to the gut.

So intimate. Not like the formal way he always addressed me.

Bruce glanced at the caller ID, and his expression changed instantly.

He answered the phone. “What’s wrong?”

“Bruce~” Seraphina’s cloying, sweet voice oozed through the speaker. “My tummy hurts… can you come be with me? I’m scared…”

I saw a wave of panic cross Bruce’s face.

“Where are you? I’m on my way.” He shot to his feet, completely forgetting the anniversary he was just celebrating with me.

He gave me a quick, dismissive kiss. “Isadora, I’m sorry, she needs me. You rest up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I just said flatly, “Go.”

Bruce looked at me, as if he wanted to say something else, but another pained moan from Seraphina stole his attention.

“I’ll be right there, don’t be scared,” he cooed into the phone, then rushed out of the room.

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone again.

I stared at the flickering candle and blew it out by myself.

I made a wish. I wish to be free of Bruce and start a new life.

Then I threw the moonflowers and the cake into the trash.

The next morning, I insisted on being discharged.

I had more important things to do.

I went straight to the Bloodmoon Pack headquarters, the place I’d helped Bruce build for eight years.

I found Sarah, who handled pack personnel.

Her face lit up when she saw me. “Isadora! Congratulations on your promotion to Head Beta! Alpha said he’s making the official announcement next week.”

Head Beta.

The position I once dreamed of now sounded like a sick joke.

I pulled the documents I’d prepared from my bag. “Sarah, I’m resigning from my position as Beta.”

Sarah stared at me, her mouth agape. “What? Isadora, are you kidding? You’re about to be Head Beta. Why would you quit?”

“I found my family. I’m returning to my own pack,” I said calmly.

“Family?” Sarah was even more confused. “But… aren’t you an orphan?”

Right. In everyone’s eyes, I was just Isadora, the orphan nobody, a charity case who only survived because of Bruce’s kindness.

“It’s complicated. The point is, I’m leaving.” I handed her the papers. “This is my resignation and all the handover documents.”

Sarah was about to say more when a familiar, cold voice cut in from behind me.

“What family?”

I turned. Bruce was standing there, his expression grim, his eyes locked on the papers in my hand. “What family?”