Chapter 2

Ella's POV

As I left the boutique, I caught sight of Ryan helping Vera straighten her gown. He was so focused on her that he didn't even notice me walking past. I didn't stop.

I went straight to my mom's house and told her about my decision. "Mom, I'm leaving the Blackthorn pack. I'm going to join the Northstar pack."

She immediately grabbed my hand, her face tight with worry. "Ella, you can't go there. That's no place for you. Have you lost your mind? Even if you don't want to mate with Ryan anymore, you shouldn't go somewhere that dangerous."

I lowered my eyes and fell silent.

The Northstar pack was nothing like ours. Their wolves were wilder, stronger, and far more dominant. They were also widely regarded as the strongest pack on the entire continent.

Once one of their wolves claimed a mate, their possessiveness could turn almost feral.

That was exactly why I'd chosen them. I wanted to put as much distance as possible between myself and Ryan.

If I joined the Northstar pack, there would be no going back, no more waiting for him, and no more hoping he'd choose me. I could finally leave him behind for good and never look back.

After a long silence, Mom sighed and squeezed my hand. "Whatever you decide, Ella, I'll support you."

…

That night, on my way home, I came across Vera's latest post.

She'd uploaded a photo of herself lying on the bed while Ryan crouched beside her, gently massaging her ankle. He wore a lazy, affectionate smile, the kind I'd once thought was meant only for me.

Her caption read, "Moved into my new home today! From now on, Ryan and I get to wake up together and fall asleep together every day. I won't have to worry about getting hurt anymore."

Several of our mutual friends immediately flooded the comments with congratulations. Then I saw Ryan's reply.

"From moonrise to moonset."

I stared at the photo until a bitter taste filled my mouth.

…

When I got home, Ryan wasn't there, just as I'd expected.

I went to bed alone, my thoughts drifting in and out until exhaustion finally pulled me under.

At 3:00 am, I woke from a nightmare. Still half-asleep, I instinctively reached for the warmth beside me, only to find nothing but cold, empty sheets.

I lay there in a daze for a moment before reaching for my phone and calling Ryan. "Where are you?"

His voice was groggy, as if I'd just pulled him from a deep sleep. "Ella, what's wrong? Another nightmare? I'm coming home."

I sat on the edge of the bed, my bare feet resting against the cold floor as my fingers tightened around the phone.

After Ryan saved my life seven years ago, nightmares had become a regular part of my life. Whenever I woke up frightened, he would stay beside me, holding me and soothing me until I drifted back to sleep.

But tonight, he wasn't there.

Three minutes later, Ryan pushed open the door, letting the chill of the night air into the room. He sat beside me and handed me a glass of warm milk, guilt flickering in his eyes.

"Sorry, Ella. I was helping Vera move into her new place this afternoon. I was exhausted and ended up falling asleep there. Have you been waiting for me long?"

"Where did she move?"

Ryan was silent for a couple of seconds before answering hoarsely. "I promised her mate, Alfie, that I'd take care of Vera. It was more convenient this way, so she moved into the house next door."

A quiet laugh escaped me.

He knew perfectly well that I couldn't stand Vera, yet he'd moved her right next door without a second thought for how I'd feel.

He had taken what little dignity I had left and ground it into the dirt, without stopping to consider how much it would hurt me or what people would think.

And when I finally confronted him, all he had was one simple excuse—it was more convenient.

I turned my face away, my chest tightening until it was hard to breathe.

Ryan seemed to notice the change in my expression. He moved closer and lowered his voice, trying to coax me into letting it go. "Don't be mad, Ella. I'll take you to pick out your ceremonial gown tomorrow. This time, I'll be there only for you, okay?"

I didn't answer.

I'd heard promises like that from Ryan more times than I could count. Every time, it was the same story.

Vera needed him for something, and I was expected to understand. Then he'd promise to make it up to me later, as if another promise could somehow erase the one he'd already broken.

After seven years of waiting, I was simply too tired to believe him anymore.

….

Early the next morning, Ryan brought out a catalog of ceremonial gown designs. He had just told me to choose whichever style I liked when the doorbell rang.

I avoided his gaze and got up to answer it. But the moment I opened the door and saw who was standing there, I froze.

Vera's parents stood on the doorstep, both wearing warm smiles. The moment they saw me, however, those smiles disappeared.

For a brief second, neither of them said a word.

Then Vera's mother suddenly exploded, her face twisting with fury.