Chapter 3

I slipped past the patrol guards and followed Caleb's tracks all the way down.

He didn't go to any border territory.

He walked straight into the manor's underground wine cellar.

A sliver of dim yellow light seeped through the half-open door.

I stood in the shadows, watching the scene through the crack with cold eyes.

Sienna was wrapped tightly around Caleb.

"Alpha, you gave her a whole mountain range in public!" Sienna whined, tugging at his shirt, her voice dripping with jealousy. "Do you know how mad it made me watching from down there?"

Caleb gave a helpless chuckle and tapped her nose dotingly.

"What are you jealous of? Didn't I just buy you a ten-million-dollar penthouse in the Neutral Zone last month?"

His tone carried an Alpha's warning and charity: "As long as you stay in your lane and don't disturb the Luna, I can give you whatever you want."

My nails dug deep into my palms.

Last month.

I remembered Caleb forcing a massive withdrawal from the pack's vault last month.

He had held my hands tightly, looking so distressed, saying there was a terrible accident at the Moonbeam Mine and he desperately needed the funds.

Turns out, that blood money was used by my mate to build a love nest for his mistress.

Sienna wasn't scared off by his warning. Instead, she grew bolder.

She pulled his tie teasingly, dragging him against her chest.

"I've tried every bed in that penthouse." She bit her lower lip, giving him a dirty look. "I've prepared some new tricks today. I guarantee you won't be able to stop."

Caleb's eyes instantly darkened. His Alpha lust erupted without holding back.

He slammed Sienna hard against the expensive wine rack.

*Bang.* Several bottles of fine wine rattled.

He grabbed an incredibly rare bottle of century-old Lycan vintage, bit off the cork with his teeth, and took a huge swig.

Then, he held the bottle high, letting the deep red liquid spill down Sienna's collarbone.

"No one is here." Caleb's voice was terribly raspy. "Show me everything. Let me see what a slut you can be."

Filthy, obscene moans filled the cellar in an instant.

I stared fiercely at the cellar's frosted glass.

Behind it, two blurry figures tangled madly together.

Tears finally fell.

The dull ache from our mate bond ripped at my heart piece by piece.

My inner wolf howled in agony. She wanted to tear out of my body. She wanted to rip their throats out.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, forcing down my wolf's rampage.

I turned around and drove back to our penthouse at the Pack House.

Nine o'clock. Ten o'clock. One in the morning.

I sat in the pitch-black living room, watching the ticking clock on the wall.

Three in the morning.

The digital lock finally beeped softly.

It had been six whole hours since he went to "handle the rogues."

The front door pushed open.

Caleb strode into the bedroom, reeking of pungent scent-masking spray.

That cheap chemical smell, mixed with the sweet musk of sex he was trying so hard to hide, turned my stomach.

He had no idea that as a healer, I was insanely sensitive to these smells.

When he saw me sitting on the edge of the bed, he visibly let out a sigh of relief. He rushed over and crushed me in a tight hug.

"Thank the Goddess!" His voice held real terror, and his body trembled slightly. "When I walked in, I couldn't smell a trace of you! My wolf was going crazy!"

He buried his face in the crook of my neck, breathing in my presence frantically.

"Tessa, I would tear this continent apart before I ever lose you!"

Listening to his passionate confession, I only found it utterly ridiculous.

He spent six hours fucking his mistress senseless, yet came home panicking because he briefly lost his mate's scent.

His hands started roaming my waist restlessly, still carrying the lingering heat of his aroused lust, hinting heavily at what he wanted.

"I'm exhausted." I pushed his hands away without blinking, my tone flat. "I don't feel well. I'm going to sleep."

Caleb froze.

A flash of hidden guilt crossed his eyes, then he thoughtfully pulled the covers over me.

"Alright. Get some rest, my Luna."

The next morning.

A guilty-looking Caleb walked to the dining table and slid an exquisite jewelry box in front of me.

"A custom moonstone and diamond necklace." He kissed my cheek with a flawless smile. "To make up for not spending the whole night with you."

I didn't even look at it, casually pushing the priceless necklace aside.

Then, I pulled a box from my pocket and handed it to him.

"This is my anniversary gift for you." I looked into his eyes and smiled. "But you can't open it until two days from now."

Inside this box was my Luna moonstone amulet, which hadn't left my side since the day we mated.

And a signed Unilateral Mate Bond Severance Agreement.

Caleb took the box with both hands, his eyes full of surprise and anticipation.

"Two days? You always know how to torture me." He laughed fondly. "Fine, I promise. I'll open it myself in two days."

Just as he finished speaking.

The penthouse's private doorbell rang abruptly.

Caleb frowned, clearly annoyed at the interruption of our sweet moment.

I stood up, walked to the door, and pressed the handle down.

The moment the door opened.

Sienna's pale, terrified face caught us both completely off guard.