Semua Bab Alpha Gave My Necklace to Childhood Sweetheart, I Left: Bab 1 - Bab 8

I swirled the champagne in my glass, smiling like the sun.Cole blinked. Something flickered in his expression, and then he let go of my wrist.The fury that had been written all over his face a moment ago shifted into something uncertain, almost awkward.He cleared his throat twice and apologized for grabbing me."Sorry.""The pack doctor says Kate's condition is getting worse. She might not have much time. We grew up together. I can't stand the thought of her dying without this one wish fulfilled.""Thank you for understanding."I smiled and rose to my feet, reaching up to straighten his tie.In my last life, I hadn't been able to make sense of any of this. I had believed, to the very end, that a mate owed the other absolute loyalty. Even if Kate had a dying wish, that didn't make it right to fulfill it at the expense of our bonding ceremony, the thing I valued most.So I had torn the ceremony to pieces and forced Cole to stop it. The chaos sent Kate stumbling out in tears, and she

When the crowd's noise died down a little, I glanced over at Kate.She was leaning against Cole, content and glowing, soaking up the congratulations flowing in from every side.I walked over too, my voice even."Congratulations."But the moment I moved toward her, Cole stepped instinctively in front of Kate.That reflex — that shielding of her from me — landed like a blow.What had I ever done to make Cole this defensive, this convinced that the next thing I'd do was hurt her?A bitter smile crossed my face."Relax, Cole. I mean it."A mess of emotions moved through Cole's eyes.I could see both impulses at war in him: the urge to apologize for what had just happened with Kate, and the instinct to keep his guard up in case I did something reckless.But right now, all I wanted was to hold on to the last shred of dignity between us.To say a proper goodbye to this damn love.I reached for a fresh glass from the tray beside me. I hadn't even opened my mouth yet when I felt a hard shove fr

Of course Kate didn't want me to.I had come to hold the ceremony with Cole, showing Blood Moon Pack's finest — my best jewelry, my best gems. Along with three years' worth of supplies for his pack that they hadn't come close to using up.Kate had her eye on every last crate of those jewels, and she knew it.Catching herself, Kate pulled back the outburst and steadied her voice.She slipped back into the fragile, sickly act."Wendy... I had no idea you were like this.""So all the support you gave us — it was only ever because you wanted to be Luna of this pack.""If I'd known... we never would have accepted any of it."The pack members around her started picking it up."God, if we'd known, we would have sent it all back.""A woman this calculating — our poor Luna Kate."Kate listened to the voices around her, the corners of her mouth rising despite herself.She turned back to me, her expression all suffering."But Wendy... you can't force love.""It's not something you can buy.""Was

When I got back to Blood Moon Pack and saw my parents, I lost it.Tears came without warning, without permission.They were alive. My parents were alive. Everyone in my pack was safe and happy.Seeing me cry, my parents pulled me into their arms the way they used to when I was small.My mother's voice was soft."I heard everything, baby. Don't be sad.""There are so many good people out there. It's okay."I shook my head.These weren't tears of grief. I was overwhelmed with relief — it had nothing to do with Cole.I wiped my face and looked at her."Mom, would you and Dad support me no matter what I did?"That clearly wasn't what she had been expecting.She looked at me with worried eyes, assuming I was still hurting over Cole."Wendy, don't do anything you'll regret. Cole has a mate now.""No, Mom. What I want right now is Cole's pack.""What do you mean?"My mother's face was pure bewilderment. But my father, beside her, let out a low, delighted laugh and shot me an approving look.T