Chapter 2

My heart skipped a beat.

But seven years as a Luna had taught me how to hide my emotions perfectly.

I turned around to face his concerned eyes, forcing down the disgust in mine.

"It's a healer I used to know at the Council." I looked him dead in the eye, adding just the right amount of sorrow to my voice. "Her mate cheated on her with a low-ranking she-wolf. She decided to sever the mate bond."

Caleb leaned his head into the crook of my neck.

His warm breath brushed against my pulse point. It was pure Alpha instinct. He wanted to sniff out any lies.

Once he confirmed he only smelled my grief, his tense muscles instantly relaxed.

He let out a long breath and pulled me tight against his broad chest.

"Don't let other people's mess ruin your mood, darling." He kissed my forehead, his tone firm and loving. "My wolf bows to no one but you, in this life and the next."

"Really?" I leaned into his embrace, listening to his steady lies. "What if you betrayed me?"

Caleb gave my earlobe a playful, punishing nip.

"Then I curse my wolf to lose control entirely. I'd go mad searching for you forever, and finally drop dead from the sheer agony of losing my mate."

He made that deadly vow without hesitation.

I lowered my eyes and smiled.

How nice.

In three days, that punishment would be delivered exactly as promised.

Soon, the clicking of high heels broke this fake tenderness.

Sienna stood at the balcony entrance in a tight-fitting business suit.

"Alpha," she pushed up her glasses. Her tone was strictly business, but her eyes held a hidden tease. "The latest files from the southern territory need your urgent approval."

Seeing her cool, professional look, I almost laughed out loud.

Who would have thought this body packed tightly in a uniform was acting like a bitch in heat on the office couch just yesterday?

Caleb instantly dropped the soft look in his eyes.

He shot her a cold, emotionless glance. "Have Marco handle it. Don't bother me."

"Yes, Alpha." Sienna bowed respectfully and left.

The brilliant acting skills of this pair truly blew my mind.

"Don't let nobodies ruin our night." Caleb suddenly covered my eyes with his hand.

"Come with me."

He half-carried me to the highest viewing deck of the banquet manor.

"Open your eyes, my Luna."

He let go. At his command, the distant night sky ignited instantly.

Celebration bonfires lit up the outline of the entire mountain range, stretching for miles and painting half the sky red.

"Do you like it?" Caleb wrapped his arms around me from behind, his voice deep and magnetic. "I bought all the tens of thousands of acres of ancient forests and lakes bordering it."

He declared passionately in my ear, "I named this new territory after you. Happy seventh mating anniversary, Tessa. My empire will always be your empire."

The raging firelight reflected in my eyes, but it couldn't warm my freezing heart.

Seven years.

Enough time for a devoted Alpha who once fought bloody battles to protect me, to rot into a hypocrite using money and lies to paint a perfect picture.

Caleb tipped my chin up, about to give me a deep, lingering kiss.

But the phone in his inner pocket rang abruptly.

He frowned and took out the phone, looking annoyed.

But the moment he saw the name on the screen, his body stiffened slightly.

I was close enough to clearly catch the wild lust exploding in his eyes.

It was Sienna.

A second later, he skillfully put on a guilty look.

"Baby, I'm sorry." He put the phone away and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Rogues suddenly invaded the border pack. They bit one of our patrol sentries. I have to go handle it myself."

"Go. The pack's safety comes first," I cut off his excuses, playing the understanding Luna.

A flash of relieved ecstasy crossed Caleb's eyes.

"Wait for me." He gave me a quick hug and strode away impatiently. Even his back showed a burning urgency.

As he disappeared at the end of the hallway, the smile peeled right off my face.

I pulled a delicate little glass vial from my clutch.

It was the scent blocker I'd made yesterday to sneak into his office for the surprise.

I dabbed the liquid behind my ears and on my wrists. My scent was instantly erased.

Then, like a ghost, I quietly followed the path Caleb had taken.