Chapter 3

Before the mating ceremony, I didn't see Daniel again.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the pack's horizon. How ironic. Exactly a year ago today, Daniel and I were running wild and free in the woods. Now, I was just a forgotten ghost.

The mating ceremony was being held at the grand hall of the estate. Even from miles away, the roaring cheers of the crowd reached my ears.

Tina Miller, a sweet pack girl assigned to take care of me, walked in. She whispered that the wind was too cold for my fragile health and that I should head inside.

I found it almost funny. Years ago, I could fight on the training grounds for three days and nights without break. People used to praise me for being a fierce, capable female warrior. Now, I was reduced to a "fragile" woman who couldn't even handle a breeze.

Come to think of it, I hadn't slept well in a very long time.

I asked Tina to bring me my sedatives, took them, and went to bed.

Late at night, a heavily drunk Daniel stumbled into my room.

He kissed me just like he used to, stripping off my clothes and pressing his body against mine.

I suddenly spoke up. "Do you do this to Lily too?"

He froze instantly, pulling away from me. "Why bring her up?"

I smiled coldly, putting my clothes back on. "She is the rightful Luna now, isn't she?"

I remembered when he had first achieved success, and another pack had sent him a beautiful woman as a gift. I had thrown a massive fit, publicly hummiliating the person who sent her.

Daniel had only looked at me with an indulgent smile, dismissed the woman, and bought me a limited-edition sports car to coax me.

Back then, I didn't allow anyone to share his love.

"When it's just the two of us, don't mention anyone else, okay?" he coaxed softly, wanting me to act cute and lean into him like before.

I let out a bitter laugh. "The fact that I'm still willing to stay in this estate is already my ultimate compromise. From now on, don't come to my room."

He sat up abruptly, grabbing my chin in the dim light, forcing me to look at him. "Elena White, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

I stared straight into his dark eyes. "I made myself very clear. Are you deaf?"

Rage flared in his eyes, making him look like a savage beast.

I had an old injury on my shoulder—a scar from a silver blade I had taken for him years ago. It ached terribly whenever it rained.

But right now, he didn't care about my pain at all. He pinned my shoulders down, his movements rough and violent.

I curled up in pain, but he ignored my silent agony, ruthlessly forcing himself on me.

"Elena White! No one defies me!"

The night was agonizingly long. When he was done, he tossed me aside like trash.

"Think about your attitude. I'm leaving."

The lights went out, and tears slid down my cheeks, soaking into my hair.

A sudden wave of panic washed over me. If my parents were watching me from the heavens, what would they think of me now?

Daniel, you promised my father. You promised you would never treat me like this.