Chapter 1

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I looked toward the spot that had held his attention moments earlier.

Sadie sat at the desk outside his office, arranging a bouquet of pink roses.

Once, Mason had looked at me that way—with such complete concentration that it seemed no one else existed.

We had spent four years at the same university. He had pursued me for three of them.

I once asked what he liked about me.

He grinned, incapable of hiding a single thought. “You’re beautiful. No one’s more beautiful than you.”

I hadn’t liked that answer, but the sincerity in his eyes had moved me anyway.

I didn’t say yes immediately. He never rushed me.

No matter how brutal Chicago’s winters became, he brought breakfast to my dorm every morning. When he learned that my periods were painful, he waited downstairs with a hot-water bottle and hot chocolate.

Once, I paused a little too long in front of a necklace in a store window. He took every part-time job he could find near campus until he had saved enough to buy it.

If I was unhappy, he found a way to make me laugh.

If I so much as frowned, he took my hand and asked where it hurt.

After graduation, we stayed in Chicago. We bought a small stretch of old territory on the outskirts of the city where werewolves were permitted to settle, and together we founded the Ashridge Pack.

He became its Alpha.

I handled territorial planning, architectural design, and external development projects.

We never held a mating ceremony or exchanged marks. Mason said that once the pack had truly found its footing, he would make me its officially recognized Luna.

I believed him.

In the end, six years together proved no match for Sadie, the girl he had grown up with.

She came to Chicago two months ago.

The first time we met, she took Mason’s half-finished coffee straight from his hand in front of me. He didn’t stop her. He smiled and warned her it was hot.

I thought she would stay a few days.

Instead, she became the Alpha’s personal assistant, complete with access to the council hall and the restricted inner grounds.

When I asked why he hadn’t discussed it with me, he said, “We needed someone anyway. I’m more comfortable having someone I know around.”

After that, his inspection trips became more frequent. So did the nights he spent at the council hall.

Not coming home gradually became normal.

Two days ago, I checked the logistics records.

He and Sadie had been practically inseparable.

For one supposed border negotiation, their names were the only two on the travel roster.

The expense claim listed a single executive suite.

When I stepped out of Mason’s office, Sadie immediately stood.

“Audrey, you look terrible. Did you and Mason have a fight?”

I had no desire to engage with her. I headed for the exit.

She stepped into my path.

“You’re turning thirty next year, aren’t you? You can’t keep acting like a spoiled little girl. The Aster Alliance still hasn’t approved the assistance package, and Mason’s under enough pressure. Even if you can’t help, you shouldn’t distract him right now.”

I stopped.

“Mason and I built Ashridge together.”

My voice remained quiet.

“He appointed you, but your salary still comes out of a budget I oversee. If you can’t maintain basic professional boundaries, I can request that your appointment be revoked.”

Her smile stiffened.

“I was only trying to help. If you don’t want to listen, fine. Why do you have to drive me away?”

“Who’s driving her away?”

Mason emerged from his office, his cold gaze landing on me.

“Audrey, she’s only just arrived. She barely knows anyone here. Can’t you be a little more understanding if she says the wrong thing?”

Only just arrived.

A helpless young girl who needed protecting.

I almost laughed.

Sadie was only three months younger than I was.

My eyes stung. I took a slow breath.

“Mason, I’m asking you once. Does she leave, or do I?”

“Audrey Hawthorne, stop being unreasonable.”

I froze.

It had been a long time since he had used my full name like that.

“You must have misunderstood,” Sadie interrupted, her eyes reddening. “Mason and I are just childhood friends.”

She turned to him, lowering her voice.

“She’s different from me. Her family has money. She’s always had people protecting her. You should be more patient with her. I’m fine. I’ve been learning to read other people’s moods my whole life.”

She forced a smile.

“I can find another job. If I have to, I can leave Ashridge and go back to my old pack.”

“Sadie.”

His voice was full of concern.

I pressed my lips together and walked away.

Only after I left the council hall did I realize my vision had blurred.

I wiped my cheeks and called my mother.

She answered almost immediately.

“Darling, you finally remembered you have a mother? The last time you called was three whole days ago.”

“Mom.”

I worked to keep my voice steady.

“Tell Grandpa I’ll agree to the match with the Sterling family.”

“Really?”

Her excitement lasted only a moment.

“Wait. What about Mason? Haven’t you always wanted to become his mate? We want you with someone who can share your responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean you have to—”

“We’re over.”

My mother went quiet.

After a moment, she said, “Take a few more days to think about the arrangement. Your grandfather watched Alexander grow up, and our families have always been close. He manages one of his family’s alliance funds now, but choosing a mate isn’t a business transaction. You can’t decide the rest of your life just because someone hurt you.”

“This isn’t an impulse.”

Yesterday, my brother had accidentally let something slip.

Our family territory’s winter reserves and two trade routes had run into trouble at the same time. A substantial amount of money was tied up beyond the border.

The Sterlings were willing to provide bridge funding. A marriage alliance would help both councils approve a long-term mutual-protection agreement.

My family had already compromised too much for me.

After graduation, my father wanted me back in New York, working with the family council and gradually taking over territorial affairs.

Instead, I had fought with him over Mason.

All because he asked how a man who could barely support his own pack intended to take responsibility for my future.

Determined to prove him wrong, I stayed in Chicago. I refused my family’s assistance and helped Mason raise money, negotiate for land, and build homes.

During Ashridge’s early expansion, I rushed to finish surveying an abandoned hunting ground and stumbled into a wolfsbane trap left by poachers.

They saved my life, but the poison damaged my stomach.

Even after the wounds healed, I needed long-term medication just to eat normally.

I had never imagined that what remained from those years would not be Mason’s loyalty, but a body that would never fully recover.

My mother sighed softly.

“When are you coming home?”

“In two weeks.”

After ending the call, I looked back at Ashridge’s towering council hall.

Mason, I gave you a choice.

You didn’t choose me.

So I no longer had to choose you.