Chapter 3

3.

Kael panicked, rushing over. "Sera, what's wrong?"

Faye vomited until she was completely wrecked, unable to pull herself together for a long while.

She didn't understand.

Why? Why would the Alpha who once swore before the Moon Goddess to remain loyal to her forever betray their bond?

Did he not fear the Goddess's punishment?

Or did he think he was clever enough, perfectly capable of keeping her in the dark forever?

A night breeze blew past. Faye's thoughts cleared considerably.

Kael asked her, "Are you okay, Sera? If you're not feeling well, I'll take you to the pack healers right now."

"No. It's probably just something I ate at dinner."

"Then come find me at Apex tomorrow. We'll eat together."

Faye let out a cold, silent laugh.

Go to Apex and watch you and Lila tumble around your office?

A sudden impulse for mischief seized her.

"Alright. I'll go with you to Apex tomorrow morning. Keep you company while you work. Then we'll have lunch together. Then we'll come home together at night."

Kael clearly hadn't expected her to agree. His expression stiffened, strained. "But... my schedule's packed. I might not be able to stay with you the whole time."

"You do your work. I'll just wait in your office for you to come back."

"...Alright."

Back at their villa, Kael offered to run a bath for her. He went into the bathroom and, unusually, shut the door behind him.

Faye, meanwhile, went back downstairs alone and got back into the car.

The moment she started the engine, the screen lit up, displaying the latest messages.

Kael: Change of plans. Tomorrow, we can't use my office.

Little Wildcat Lila: Aww, that's disappointing.

Kael: Don't be disappointed, little wildcat. I'll take you to the rooftop terrace instead. Even more thrilling.

Little Wildcat Lila: Heehee. Alpha is the best.

By the time Faye returned to the bedroom, Kael was just stepping out of the bathroom. "Sera, your bath's ready. Go take a nice soak."

"No. I want to rest."

"Alright. If you're tired, sleep. By the way, that gift you put on the desk... can I open it now?"

Faye said, "Open it in one week."

"Why wait a week? I want to see right now what my Luna has prepared for me."

"Because..."

Because in one week, I will have permanently severed our bond.

"Because in one week, this gift will have meaning."

Kael pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Fine. As you wish."

The next morning, Kael's phone started ringing just past six.

He silenced it, then turned and wrapped his arms around Faye. "Ignore it. Sleep a little longer."

The phone rang again. Insistent.

Kael frowned, irritable. "It's not even time for work yet. Pestering me this early. Sooner or later, I'll make every last one of those useless Council elders disappear."

He silenced it again.

When the phone rang a third time, Kael got up in a huff. "Sera, sleep a while longer. I'm going to go find out what kind of earth-shattering emergency they've got."

Faye gave a soft "Mm."

She turned over. Her back to him.

Kael took his phone and left the bedroom.

But moments later, his figure appeared at the front gate, one floor below.

A human delivery driver in a yellow uniform stood outside. He handed Kael a package.

Kael took it. But when he came back inside, his hands were empty.

Faye asked him, "Is the pack situation serious?"

Kael said, "It's manageable. Sera, don't worry. Just rest. I'll go make you breakfast."

Whether it was guilt or genuine concern about her upset stomach, Kael made an elaborate breakfast.

Milk. Eggs. Toast. Jam. And her favorite oatmeal.

"From now on, no more eating random things. I'm going to hire a private chef for you. Someone to come cook for you at home every day."

"No."

"Be a good girl. My Luna needs to listen. Otherwise, I'll be worried sick about you while I'm at Apex."

"Kael, can I ask you a question?"

"Ask."

Faye set down her fork and knife. Her voice was flat. "Among our kind... the curse for betraying a bond. Do you think it actually comes true?"

Kael instantly put on a deeply righteous, disgusted expression. "That's a punishment for the weak-willed. The faithless. I'm different. I will be loyal to my Luna for life. I love only you."

"Love only me. For life."

"Yes."

"And what if you fell in love with another she-wolf?"

"Then may the Moon Goddess forsake me. Strip my power. May I howl in solitude for eternity."

Faye's smile was pure mockery. "Such a heavy vow. Aren't you afraid it might actually be fulfilled?"

"What I speak is the truth. Why should I be afraid?"

Kael said, "Sera, you need to trust our bond."

Faye simply said, "Eat your breakfast."

"You still don't believe me? Do I need to carve out my heart and show it to you before you'll trust me?"

"People are waiting for you at Apex. Don't be late."

Kael finally relaxed, sitting down across from her. "Let them wait. A bunch of worthless creatures. I'll replace them all eventually."

"Replace *her*. Could you bear to?"

Faye had said "her." Not "them."

She didn't know whether Kael caught it or not. All she heard was him say, "Besides you, there's no one I couldn't bear to lose."