Chapter 3

Early the next morning, Warren burst in, cold air clinging to him.

The moment he saw me, his brows drew together.

"Why did you suddenly run back to the Moonsong Pack? Do you have any idea how long I waited for you in the mountains yesterday?"

There was a sweet, cloying perfume on him. I recognized it. It was the one Maya always wore.

"Did you really wait a long time for me?"

I lifted my eyes and looked at him, my voice cool. "The way I see it, waiting for me was the lie. Seeing Maya was the truth."

Warren's face stiffened for a beat. "What are you talking about?"

"Go change your clothes. You reek of Maya's perfume."

"Can you stop imagining the worst?"

Warren's voice climbed. "Do you have any idea? If it hadn't been for Maya yesterday, I could've gotten hurt out there."

The words were barely out when Maya walked over.

She looked at me, all timid. "Ella, don't blame Warren. It's my fault. I was so worried about him, and I was afraid you might not have the time, so I went to find him myself."

"See how considerate Maya is?"

Warren said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Make a little more of what Maya likes today. Think of it as a thank-you."

"Salt-roasted venison ribs, wild mushroom soup, oat-and-hazelnut cakes. And no chili. Maya can't handle spice."

He couldn't remember a single one of my allergies, but he knew Maya's tastes by heart.

The anger flared up in me, and I raised a hand to push them toward the door.

"Get out. You're not welcome here."

"Ella, are you finished throwing your fit?" Warren braced a hand on the doorframe, his face like a storm.

"I'm not throwing a fit."

I looked straight into his eyes and said it plainly. "This full moon, we go to the Moonlight Spring, and we break the bond. Officially."

Warren blinked, then scoffed.

"Break the bond? Ella, you're just jealous of Maya. Can’t you drop this already?"

A flash of triumph crossed Maya's face, but her voice stayed pitiful. "Ella, it's all my fault. Just forgive Warren, and I'll do anything you want."

We were still in the middle of it when my father came in, arms full of wedding decorations and gift boxes, beaming.

"Ella, come look. Do the things I picked suit you?"

The courtyard went silent in an instant.

Warren's gaze swept over the things in my father's arms, and he laughed, cold and sharp.

"You talk about breaking the bond, but behind my back you're getting wedding decorations ready. Ella, you can't live without me."

"Apologize to me right now, and I'll pretend I never heard any of this. Otherwise, come the full moon, I'll go and end things with you. Just don't come crying and begging me later."

I answered without a flicker of doubt. "Not a chance."

Warren's stare wavered, and his jaw tightened.

"Warren, why don't we just go? Once Ella's cooled off, she'll be fine."

"She loves you this much. There's no way she'd really leave you."

The words had barely left Maya's mouth when the smugness in Warren's eyes swallowed whatever else he'd felt. His lips curled, and he moved to pull me into his arms. I stepped out of reach.

He didn't even get angry, just carried on speaking to himself. "All right, Ella. Stop with the forced-marriage act, it's childish. Go get yourself ready for your next dance. I'm looking forward to the day you become my Luna."

Then he led Maya away.

My father spat at their backs. "Disgraceful lot!"

I turned to him, a little surprised. "Father, you already found someone suitable this fast?"

He smiled and kept me guessing. "You know him. Steady temper, good character, worlds better than that Warren boy. Just wait quietly and get ready to be a bride."