Chapter 2

Nerissa gripped the wall, struggling to stand by the heated pool.

"Delores, look."

She stared down at her legs, pale-faced, but her eyes shimmered with hope.

"I can walk on land now. I'm qualified to be Leon's Luna."

I stared at her bloodied thighs, my temples pounding.

"Do you even know what that potion does to you? You might never return to the sea—ever."

"Of course I know."

Nerissa lifted her chin slightly. "But that's the price of being Luna."

"You took a silver blade for Leon and lost your wolf forever. I can give up the ocean for him too."

Before I could answer, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.

Leon caught sight of Nerissa's legs—and his face went pale.

"Who gave you that potion? It could damage your Tear Pearl!"

He whipped around to face me, brows furrowed. "Did you force her into this, Delo?"

In that moment, something twisted inside my chest—like a fist clenching around my heart.

But Nerissa gently tugged at his sleeve. She leaned against his chest and spoke up for me.

"Don't blame Delores. It was my choice. I just wanted to surprise you. I didn't want your chosen Luna to be stuck on the shore."

She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck.

"This is the trial I have to go through to become Luna. She had nothing to do with it."

Leon's gaze softened as he looked at her.

"Why are you so foolish?"

He bent down and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, his movements careful, almost tender.

I stood there, nails digging deeper and deeper into my palms.

Seven years ago, when I took that vampire attack for him—he'd held me just like that. That night, the moonlight was so gentle I'd told myself losing my wolf was worth it.

Now it all felt like a cruel joke.

"Leon…"

I reached out, trying to catch the hem of his shirt.

But he didn't look at me.

"Nerissa," he gripped both her arms tightly, his face tense, "is your Tear Pearl damaged?"

She lay against his chest, breathing lightly.

"The pearl should be fine. As long as you're here, I'm not afraid."

"Don't talk." Leon pulled her closer. "We're going to the Healing Center right now."

My head throbbed so badly I could barely breathe.

But Nerissa suddenly turned to me.

"Delo, your Wolf Spirit Weakness is flaring up again. Leon, have a healer check on her. If the elders see you only focused on me, they'll say you're neglecting her again."

That finally made Leon glance my way.

For a split second, something flickered in his eyes—almost like pain. Then he crushed it down.

"It's an old condition. It won't get better overnight."

I stared at him, frozen.

Leon looked away and turned back to Nerissa. "Right now, you matter most. Your Tear Pearl can't have any problems."

With that, he swept Nerissa into his arms and strode toward the Healing Center.

I forced myself through the pain and stumbled after them for a few steps.

But Leon kept walking—farther, farther away with Nerissa in his arms. I saw her lock her arms around his neck, press her cheek to his ear, and gently nibble his earlobe.

Leon didn't slow down. He just murmured softly, "Don't be scared. I'm here."

I stopped.

Back in my room, a healer arrived not long after.

"Alpha sent this—to stop the headache." He handed me a bottle of painkillers. "He also said he's found a cure for your Wolf Spirit."

I took the bottle and almost laughed.

Even if he cured my wolf spirit, what difference would it make?

This wolf had already changed his heart.

Even if I could shift again, Leon and I could never go back.

That night, Leon didn't come home.

I lay in that empty bed, breathing in the lingering scent of cedar on his pillow—tossing, turning, until the sky turned pale.

The Northern Healer would only stay for two more days. And from here to Snowport was at least a day and night of travel.

I'd always known about this healer. I'd always known he could cure me.

But the price was wiping out the mate bond between Leon and me.

I'd never been willing to pay it.

Until now.

I sat up and booked a flight for tonight.

Then I slid the ring off my finger and placed it in the nightstand drawer.

I'd barely finished when a knock came at the door.

That familiar scent of cedar drifted through the crack—and my heart lurched against my ribs.

Leon?

I crushed that pathetic flicker of hope, got up, and opened the door.

But standing there was Nerissa—now dressed in a flowing silver-white gown.

Her face was still pale, but her composure had returned.

She looked at me and said softly:

"Delores. Let's talk."