Chapter 3

When I walked into the room, Celine was pale as a ghost, nestled in Caesar's arms while he spoon-fed her medicine. Their movements were intimate, unguarded—as if the world beyond the two of them no longer existed.

Even though I'd seen it coming, the sight still cut through me like a blade.

"Rena, what are you doing here?"

Caesar looked as if he wanted to stand, but Celine caught his hand, keeping him in place. His gaze turned sharp, full of disapproval.

"You shouldn't have come here."

I forced a smile. "So this is why you've been staying out all night lately?"

He frowned. "Rena, you know I—"

"I have something to discuss with you," I interrupted.

His arrogance was plain on his face. "What could you possibly have to discuss?"

I met his eyes stubbornly. "It's about Uncle Miron. Pack business."

I made sure to emphasize those last two words.

Caesar turned away, looking at Celine instead. "There's nothing I would hide from Celine."

In the three years I'd been Luna, every time someone came to him on "pack business," I was told to leave. Always with that same excuse.

Turns out, it was never about the business.

I gave a cold, thin smile. "What if I said I want to sever our mate bond?"

His anger flashed instantly. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Celine took that moment to weakly push at him, tears welling in her eyes. "It's not what you think… it's all a misunderstanding, I—cough—"

Caesar caught her hand and pulled her close, soothing her softly. "You don't need to explain to her."

That tenderness—I'd never seen it before.

Once, I'd climbed the cliff to pick wolf's tail flowers just to make him smile, only to fall and break my leg. Caesar had barely spared me a glance. "If you're hurt, see the witch doctor. Don't bother me."

But none of that mattered anymore. My leg healed long ago.

Just as I was about to lose patience and leave, Caesar stroked Celine's hair and whispered, "Wait for me."

Then he turned to me, his eyes hard. "You'd better have a real reason for being here."

When we reached the corner of the room, his voice dropped to a low, impatient growl. "Go on. What could possibly be worth threatening me with reject?"

"Caesar," I said, "be careful of Uncle Miron and Celine. They're hiding something. Don't trust anyone."

His expression turned dark. "Rena, you already have the Luna title. Celine's injured—she needs me. Must you keep attacking her?"

Between Celine and me, he'd always choose her. Always.

We'd had this same argument more times than I could count.

But this time, I felt strangely calm.

After all, warning him about Miron and Celine was just part of the plan. I didn't expect him to believe me—I just needed another scene to play.

So I raised my voice, just as I always did. "Caesar, you don't love me! You love her, don't you?"

Silence.

I laughed bitterly. "Then let's sever our mate bond!"

His face froze over, voice like ice. "No."

I blinked, caught off guard.

His jaw tightened. "How much longer are you going to keep this up?"

His tone was thick with frustration. "Fine. I'll go home tonight, all right?"

I felt a wave of exhaustion settle over me. "You know that's not what I want."

His brows furrowed deeper. "Then what the hell do you—"

I cut him off, my gaze flicking toward the shadow behind him. "Celine doesn't love you. You really don't know, do you? She and Miron—"

"Shut up!"

"That's not true!"

Two voices clashed at once—his and hers.

Hook, line, and sinker.

A faint smile touched my lips.