Chapter 2

“Really, it's okay. I don't mind Alison wearing it for a few days.”

Despite her protests, Megan held out her hand to Nolan.

The ring fit her ring finger perfectly.

He looked at it, his expression softening.

“You spent so long choosing that moonstone. This is where it belongs.”

I said nothing as I watched the stone that had once made me so happy.

Dad came back into the room with a stack of papers.

“Alison, I've sorted out your discharge. We can go home now.”

I paused.

“But the healer said I needed to stay a few more days for observation.”

“I asked him to do it,” Mom cut in.

“Megan's been worried about you, and she's trying to get ready for the ceremony. All this running between home and the hospital is too much for her.”

“Besides, you're awake now. Just take the rest of your medicine at home.”

Nolan agreed.

“Megan barely slept last night, and she still insisted on coming to see you.”

“You could try thinking about her for a change.”

They all looked so impatient that I swallowed my objections.

“Okay.”

In the hospital parking lot, I reached for the front passenger door out of habit. It wouldn't open.

Nolan had locked it from inside.

He lowered the window, looking perfectly at ease.

“Of course the front seat is for Megan.”

“You just promised to stop competing with her. Don't tell me you've forgotten already.”

Megan tried to coax him.

“Come on. Alison's still recovering. There's more room up front. Let her have it.”

Nolan frowned at her.

“You get carsick, remember? Stop trying to give everything up for her.”

He got out and opened the door for Megan.

“Get in. There's nothing stopping her from sitting in the back.”

Mom sighed.

“You can see how much Megan means to him.”

“There are plenty of other good men in the pack. Why does it have to be him?”

My hands slowly unclenched at my sides. The last part of me that wanted to fight for him gave up as he chose her without a second thought.

I opened the back door and got in.

“You're right, Mom.”

“I won't chase after my brother-in-law anymore.”

Everyone went quiet.

Nolan's hands stopped as he adjusted Megan's coat.

He glanced back at me.

I ignored him.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“Megan's my sister. That makes Nolan my future brother-in-law, doesn't it?”

Whenever my parents told me to be nice to my little sister, I'd always reminded them that Megan wasn't my real sister.

Now that I'd accepted her, they didn't seem to know what to do.

Eventually, Mom nodded.

“Yes. I'm glad you finally understand.”

Dad agreed.

“You're sisters. You should've been getting along like this all along.”

Megan, however, seemed unsettled by how easily I'd given in.

She asked again.

“Alison, are you sure you're okay with it?”

I smiled and smoothed her hair.

“Why wouldn't I be? Nolan's your mate.”

“I don't remember what happened before. If I did anything to upset you, I hope you'll forgive me.”

Maybe I imagined it, but Nolan's smile faded a little when I called him her mate.

I shook my head and looked away.

Whether he liked it or not was no longer my problem.

Nolan gave a quiet scoff.

“You always used getting carsick as an excuse to take the front seat.”

“Megan was just too nice to argue with you.”

I did get carsick. Nolan knew that.

He used to keep medicine ready for me and pull over whenever I needed some air. He'd never once complained.

Now all of that was being used to prove how unreasonable I was.

I kept my voice calm.

“Don't worry. It won't happen again.”