Chapter 3

Logan returned quickly.

Such was the speed of an Alpha. When he cared, a few miles was nothing more than a few heartbeats.

But he didn't rush back because he was worried about me.

He came back because he thought I had severed the mind-link.

For a pathologically controlling Alpha, a mate blocking their mental connection on her own was nothing short of a profound humiliation.

He didn't even glance at the small, pitiful suitcase at my feet.

He strode over, carrying the scent of Chloe on him.

"Sienna, baby," his thumb caressed my chin. "Why did you suddenly block the mind-link? My wolf can't feel you. He's pacing restlessly inside me."

I turned my head, avoiding his touch. "I want to be alone."

Logan's hand fell empty. He froze for a moment, then smoothly wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Still angry about that photo?"

"Sienna, you know Chloe is just my secretary, and she's a valued member of the pack who works hard. As the Alpha, it's my duty to train my subordinates in combat."

"The pack elders are already prejudiced against you because of your origins," he sighed, his warm breath fanning across my neck. "Don't get jealous over something so trivial. It makes you look insecure, hmm?"

Hearing this, my stomach churned, yet I couldn't help but want to laugh.

This was how Logan had controlled me for years, always handing me a knife wrapped in the sweetest candy.

He would watch me swallow it and still expect me to be grateful.

"Insecure?" I took a step back, breaking free from his hold. "It seems our Alpha is truly busy. So busy he doesn't even realize his secretary is parading around the pack like its Luna."

The smile on Logan's face stiffened. "Sienna, when did you become so sensitive?"

"It's not easy for a young she-wolf like Chloe to make her way in a pack like this. You're the Luna. You should be more understanding, not listen to gossip. The last time you threw a fit at the council hall over the seal, Chloe cried all night, and she was still defending you."

He looked at me with a reproachful gaze, as if I were the ungrateful sinner.

"I provide you with the best life, isn't that so you can be carefree? If you keep targeting Chloe like this, I'll be disappointed."

"Besides, your wolf is so weak. Extreme emotional fluctuations aren't good for it."

"Sienna, listen to me. You don't need to think so much. Just listen to Chloe's arrangements and focus on healing your wolf first."

I finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

But the laughter held no emotion.

Right in front of Logan, I yanked open the zipper of the suitcase at my feet.

"Carefree? The best life?"

"Logan, is this your love for me?"

The suitcase lay open, completely empty inside.

There were only a few T-shirts, washed so many times they were faded and their collars were stretched out.

They were old clothes I had brought with me three years ago when he first marked me.

"I'm leaving, and I can't even find five decent pieces of clothing to wear out the door."

"In this so-called golden cage, I have to fill out a request form to get a haircut. I have to wait until your good secretary is in a good mood to get a stamp for a single tube of lipstick. Even the maids in this house get more cash in hand each month than your Luna!"

Logan frowned. "Sienna, don't exaggerate..."

I ignored him, grabbing the sleeve of his expensive, tailored suit and dragging him to the closed door of the storage room.

I pointed to the flashing red light of the electronic lock.

"Go on, my devoted Alpha. You tell me how to open this lock."

"You need a password, a fingerprint, and finally, remote authorization from our long-suffering Chloe!"

"What kind of cherished Luna is forced to live like a beggar, pleading at the feet of her husband's secretary!"

Logan stared at the electronic lock, his face a mask of bewilderment.

He turned his head, looking at me in disbelief. "This is what it's about?"

"Baby, are you making this huge scene, even threatening to leave, just because you think getting money is inconvenient? Or... are you simply jealous that Chloe has so much authority?"

Hearing those words, my heart went completely cold.

All my anger and grief were, in his eyes, nothing more than the tantrum of a petty, materialistic mate.

I let go of his sleeve and took two steps back, my gaze empty. "Forget it, Logan. It doesn't matter what you think anymore."

"Let's sever the mate bond."