Chapter 1

1.

In the seventh year of our bond, Kael inherited everything that once belonged to his brother.

The position of Alpha of the Blackstone Pack.

And his brother’s widow, Seraphina.

Every full moon, after fulfilling that so-called "breeding duty," he would return to my side.

He would come back reeking of another woman’s scent, whispering into my ear in the dark.

"Elara, my mate... just give me a little more time. Once she carries a pureblood heir, the Council will finally accept our bond."

That was the only demand the Pack Council had made of him.

In the six months since we returned to the East Coast, Kael entered Seraphina’s room fifty-two times.

It started as once a month.

Now, it was almost every other night.

Finally, as I sat alone until dawn for the fifty-second time, the news of Seraphina’s pregnancy swept through the territory.

Along with it came the announcement: Kael would formally hold the Marking Ceremony to claim her.

"Mom, is there going to be a new ceremony in the pack?"

I numbly pulled my confused son, Finn, into my arms.

I looked at the deep crimson wolf totems hanging all over the room.

"Yes, baby. The Alpha is going to formally claim his woman. So, it’s time for us to go home."

Kael didn’t know.

Where I come from, the Moon Creek Pack, a union follows only the heart and the guidance of the moon.

...

After Finn fell asleep, I booked our flight back to the Pacific Northwest.

The earliest flight was in seven days.

I stared at the date on the ticket, feeling a wave of dizziness.

February 14th.

Valentine’s Day.

It was also the seventh anniversary of the day Kael and I formed our bond.

A cruel coincidence.

I forced a bitter smile.

Fitting. It started on this day, and it will end on this day.

A thick, nauseating scent wrapped around me―a mix of nightshade and the smell of submission.

Kael’s voice came from above my head, laced with exhaustion.

"What are you looking at?"

I slammed my laptop shut instantly.

"Nothing. Just some news on ore trading."

In just six months, Seraphina’s scent markings were everywhere on him.

They had almost completely suppressed his own woodsy smell.

I pushed him away in disgust.

"Go wash that smell off you before you talk to me."

Kael sniffed himself, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.

He let go of me.

"Okay..."

"I’ve neglected you. It’s my fault. I won’t go to her place for the next few days."

Her. He didn’t even use her name anymore.

As if that could lessen the weight of his betrayal.

If you didn’t know better, you’d think Seraphina was his fated mate, not me.

The bathroom door opened.

Kael walked out in a cloud of steam, a towel wrapped low around his waist.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist.

His muscles were fluid and defined, filled with a wildness rare for a male his age.

I felt like I was seeing the Kael from seven years ago.

The wolf covered in forest dew who crashed into my treehouse in the Moon Creek territory.

He was so full of ambition back then, eager to declare to the world:

"Elara, from tonight on, you belong to me."

"My life, my wolf, everything fights for you."

Seeing me stare at him, the man chuckled deeply and pulled me into his arms.

"Elara, tonight I belong only to you."

But up close, the fresh citrus soap mixed with the unwashed scent of another woman.

It created a weird, rancid smell of betrayal.

I lowered my eyes, feeling hollow.

The man in front of me was no longer the wolf that belonged only to me.

Suddenly, a frantic knock pounded on the door.

"Alpha! Seraphina isn't feeling well. The Council requests your presence immediately!"

The tenderness in Kael’s eyes was instantly replaced by panic.

He grabbed his clothes.

"What’s wrong with her? Has the pack doctor seen her?"

He rushed to the door before realizing something.

He turned back, looking at me with apology as I leaned against the doorframe.

"Seraphina... she’s important to the pack right now. My brother died. As Alpha, I have to protect her."

"I’ll be back soon. Elara, you know my heart is with you."

My heart is with you.

I had endured this for six months.

Fifty-two nights.

We wolves of Moon Creek only recognize one mate in a lifetime.

Kael, by your own laws, you have betrayed me fifty-two times.

I spoke coldly.

"Kael."

He frowned, soothing words already forming on his lips, but he was interrupted by the sudden weight on his shoulders.

I draped a heavy coat over him.

"It’s windy outside. Put this on."

Kael gripped the coat, his eyes complicated.

"Elara, you..."

Before he could figure out what that sudden panic in his chest was, I closed the door.

Decisively.

Seven days left, Kael.

After that, whether you live or die has nothing to do with me.