Chapter 1

The birthday party was held in the central manor of the Blacks' territory.

Initially, James Black told me that he would pick me up and take me back after returning from the elders' council in the evening. However, he had the driver fetch me. He did not explain why he did not come to pick me up and I did not ask.

We had been together for three years, and I had long gotten used to his sudden changes.

He was the Alpha, so he did not need to explain his actions.

As soon as I stepped into the manor, I felt the gazes from all directions. The wolves attending the party had eyes full of unconcealed mockery.

Soon, I understood the reason.

I saw James talking with the elders while a beautiful she-wolf held his arm. It was Sophia, the youngest daughter of a pack elder. My heart felt like it was being tightly squeezed.

I finally understood why he had broken his promise. He had not come to pick me up because he had brought her.

However, I could not figure it out. If she were his date, why did he have to make me come? Did he have to humiliate me in front of the entire pack?

I stood there, my fingers digging into my palms.

James turned his head, looked at me, and nodded without any guilt. "You've come."

The elder's mate smiled awkwardly. "Emma's here. Come sit."

The she-wolf who had been clinging to James blinked at me, as if she understood something. She was truly young and beautiful. Even her voice was innocent and lively. "Alpha James said your grilled meat is delicious. May I have the honor of trying some today?"

Sophia blinked as she observed me with an innocent smile. "Emma, ​​is it okay? I really want to try your grilled meat."

James glanced at me and added calmly, "Emma, ​​what are you standing there for? Go grill some meat."

The entire banquet hall fell silent in an instant. Everyone glanced at me out of the corner of their eyes.

I forced myself to look at James, suppressing my embarrassment. I met his mocking gaze. He was waiting for me to submit like before and obediently grill the meat to prove that I was still the compliant, submissive she-wolf.

I seriously looked at him for the first time in three years. There was no guilt or unease in his eyes, only a habitual command. He assumed I would give in as usual.

I paused, turned around, and walked toward the side of the hall.

“Emma, ​​hurry up,” he said behind me.

I did not speak, nor did I stop walking. I did not go to the kitchen but walked through the corridor, pushed open a side door, and entered the manor's back garden. Then, I followed the path and exited through another side door.

The driver who sent me here had already left, so I booked a ride on my phone. Standing at the gate, the night wind blew, and I suddenly felt that I could breathe for the first time in three years.

Back in our home, I went into the bedroom and began packing. The room was large, with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the entire pack. However, all my belongings only amounted to half a wardrobe, as well as my side of the bed.

Aside from the gowns James had bought me, I had very few clothes of my own.

In less than an hour, all my things were packed.

James did not return all night.