Chapter 2

He saw my sad, silent expression and suddenly smiled.

He pulled a small box from his pocket, got down on one knee, and opened it.

Inside was a pair of delicate earrings.

"Still upset, my Luna?"

He looked up at me, his golden eyes filled with adoration and apology. "It's the anniversary of the day we first met. Did you forget? I was going to surprise you at the restaurant."

He took my hand and led me to his car, rushing to open the passenger door for me.

But the moment I sat down, the cloying smell of vanilla surrounded me, so strong it was nauseating. Like she had just left.

I thought of the photo Vesper sent me.

She was in this very seat, legs wrapped around Ronan's waist as he moved inside her.

Their clothes were a mess in the picture. The windows were steamed with their heat.

"Are you okay?" Ronan noticed my expression. "Should I open a window?"

"No," I choked out. "I'm fine."

The car started moving. Ronan kept talking, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.

"You know, I was thinking this afternoon... we've known each other for five years," he said softly. "Time flies."

"Yeah," I said, watching the city lights blur past. "Five years."

"After the ceremony, let's go on our honeymoon," he said, taking my hand. "To the human world you've always wanted to see. Just the two of us."

I nodded, saying nothing.

Suddenly, his expression tightened.

I felt the subtle shift. A flicker through the mind-link that connected all wolves.

A sly, lustful smirk crossed his lips. A look I’d never seen on him.

A few seconds later, he turned to me, his face a mask of apology. "Cressida, there's an urgent pack matter I have to deal with. I might have to..."

But I saw the flicker of excitement in his eyes.

"Go," I said calmly.

"But our anniversary..."

"It's fine," I forced a smile. "The pack comes first."

He pulled up in front of the Luna gown designer's studio. "Thirty-four to choose from, my love. I'll be back for you..."

He kissed my forehead and then sped off into the night.

I watched his taillights disappear.

I already knew. But being abandoned like that still sent a sharp pain through my wolf.

The thirty-four gowns were breathtaking.

The moon-thread shimmered under the lights, each dress a unique masterpiece.

Too bad they were all destined to be destroyed with me.

I picked one at random, then lost interest and went back to our penthouse.

The apartment, so full of our memories, now just felt cold.

I soaked in the tub, but flashes of Ronan and Vesper together burned behind my eyelids...

No...

I slid all the way under the water, letting my tears dissolve into the bath.

This was it. In seven days, I would fall into the sea just like this. All my tears would merge with the vast ocean, and I would never have to cry again.

The bath cleared my head. I was just getting into bed when my phone buzzed again.

A new video from Vesper.

I hesitated, then opened it.

It was Ronan's office again, but this was different.

He was half-shifted—his golden eyes were now a feral amber, his muscles thicker, his nails elongated into claws.

He was pinning Vesper down, his movements rough and possessive.

"Why do you want me so much?" Vesper gasped in the video.

"My wolf can't get enough of you," his voice was a low, animalistic growl. "Can you feel it? Feel how I'm claiming you."

Vesper let out a satisfied moan, digging her nails into his shoulders.

My hand trembled as I shut my phone. I closed my eyes, trying to erase the image.

The half-shifted state. The ultimate act of possession between mates.

We'd been together five years, and he'd never once shown me that side of himself.

Even when we made love, he was always controlled, always gentle.

He said it was too dangerous. He was afraid of hurting me.

It wasn't that it was dangerous. It was that he just didn't want to.

I couldn't take it anymore. I sat up and grabbed the fake ID and the small, clear vial of potion The Hidden Path had given me.

"This will completely alter your wolf's scent and signature," the man had said. "Drink it, and no wolf will ever recognize you."

Once I drink this, I can forget everything. Leave it all behind...

I repeated it to myself until the images in my head faded.

I buried my head in my pillow, trying again to sleep, but the damned phone buzzed again.

Vesper.

This time, a picture.

There was a faint mark on her neck. It looked like the beginning of a mate's mark. Faint, but real enough.

Another photo showed Ronan pressing his face into her neck, his expression hungry and drunk on her scent.

The caption made my wolf howl in agony.

"Has he ever craved you like this?"