Chapter 2

I drove toward Stone Crown Pack's territory.

The scenery outside the window blurred past as my grip tightened around the steering wheel.

The dull ache in my chest was still there, but I was used to it by now.

Liam Kramer's Beta was already waiting outside the building.

When he saw my car, he immediately lowered his head.

"Ms. Smith, the Alpha is waiting for you on the top floor."

I nodded and followed him into the elevator.

When the doors opened at the top level, Liam's powerful Alpha aura hit me instantly.

His office door stood open.

Liam was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. When he heard footsteps, he turned around and walked straight toward me. He pushed two documents across the desk.

"One contains video evidence that will completely ruin Drew."

He paused before tapping the other file.

"The other is your appointment letter as Beta."

I picked up the documents but didn't open them right away.

They were too important. I needed to know the price I had to pay first.

"What are your terms?"

Liam looked at me. There was a faint red glow in his eyes.

"Freya, become the Beta of Stone Crown Pack.

"Help me devour Black Wood Pack.

"Stand by my side, and let's build a true werewolf kingdom together."

I was silent for a few seconds.

The terms weren't exactly favorable, but they weren't unreasonable either.

He needed my knowledge of Black Wood Pack, and I needed his power.

"I can agree to it, but on one condition."

"Name it."

"Drew must personally watch Black Wood Pack be devoured."

Liam smiled.

"Deal."

We spent the next hour finalizing every detail, including territory division, power distribution, and operational timeline.

Every clause was written clearly.

After the signing was complete, I finally had time to retrieve my phone.

There was an unread message from Drew.

[Don't forget to go to the Council of Elders.]

It was sent thirty minutes ago.

At exactly ten o'clock, I appeared at the entrance to the Council of Elders.

Drew was leaning against the doorway. Lisa held onto his arm.

He glanced at me and snorted.

"Freya, where did you go last night? You ignored my messages. Were you trying to stall for time?"

I ignored the mockery and met his gaze.

"Drew, I'm here to dissolve our mate bond."

The smile vanished from his face.

He released Lisa and strode toward me.

"What did you say?"

His voice grew deep, and his eyes began to turn red.

"I want to dissolve our bond," I repeated.

Drew grabbed my chin, and his fingernails dug painfully into my skin.

The sharp sting made me frown.

"Freya, have you lost your mind?

"Once this storm passes, I'll give you a grand bonding ceremony.

"For now, go to the Council of Elders and confess".

My heart clenched again. That familiar suffocating sensation returned.

But I was used to it.

"Drew, it's been five years. I've heard enough of your promises.

"Today, I have only one objective. To end this bond."

His expression darkened instantly. He suddenly grabbed my throat and squeezed so hard I could barely breathe.

My wolf spirit howled in agony inside me.

"You are the mate chosen for me by the Moon Goddess. Without my consent, you will not dissolve anything."

Before I could respond, Lisa stepped forward and tugged at his arm. Her expression was fragile and pitiable.

"Drew, don't make things hard for Freya. It's my fault. I'll confess."

He released me at once and pulled Lisa into his arms.

"You're weak. How can you endure the punishment?"

He looked at me coldly.

"Freya is strong. She can handle it."

I looked at the two of them and suddenly felt something close to amusement.

It'd been five years, and he was still the same, but I was no longer the Freya from five years ago.

I stared at Drew and Lisa coldly.

"Drew, I won't confess, and I won't ever listen to you again."