Chapter 2

Before I could clear my head, my phone buzzed with a video notification.

It was from Lily.

In the clip, Alpha James cradled Lily in his arms, his eyes rimmed with red as he pressed frantic kisses to her forehead, pleading:

"Lily, please, you have to be okay."

A dull ache clamped down on my chest.

I remembered when I was ambushed by rogues along the pack border. My legs were shredded, torn into bloody ribbons. I collapsed in the snow and was hauled back to the Healer clinic by the patrol squad.

When I woke up, I begged the Healer to call James.

He had only said through the phone, cold as ice, "You're not dead, so why are you calling? Am I a Healer? Can I magically fix you?"

I lay in that clinic bed for three days, and James never once showed up.

Only later did I find out that Lily had argued with him that day and sprained her ankle falling down the stairs.

He had redirected all his guilt and rage onto me.

I took a deep, shuddering breath, a bitter smirk tugging at my lips.

It took me eight years to finally wake up to the truth: I had wasted eight years on an Alpha who wasn't worth a single second.

Reaching the bottom of the hill, I prepared to call a ride when James’s name flashed on my screen.

The moment I picked up, a tirade blasted through the speaker.

He roared, "Emily Carter, you scared Lily so badly she had an anxiety attack! Get over here right now and apologize!"

I struggled to keep the umbrella upright against the howling wind.

"I'm still at the hotel."

Thunder cracked overhead, and the rain poured harder.

James paused, a hint of tension creeping into his voice.

"You're alone at the hotel? They didn't take you back? Where are the pack guards?"

"Forget it, I'm coming to get—"

Before he could finish, Lily’s tearful voice drifted through the line. "Jamie, is Emmy still mad at me? It's all my fault…"

"I just love you so much. I know my bloodline can't compare to hers…"

James immediately softened, rushing to comfort her.

Seconds later, his rage flared through the speaker again. "Emily, what the hell are you pouting about? You have to make a huge deal out of nothing! If you could just be a little more generous, I wouldn't have to—"

The very last shred of love I had for him evaporated. I let out a dry, bitter laugh, cutting him off.

"Alpha James, let's end this."

"I'm not apologizing to Lily. I'm stepping down as Luna. The spot is all hers."

If they were so madly in love, I would step aside.

Back then, he was the one who swore he would protect me for life, who promised he would love me forever.

That was why I chose him without hesitation.

Why couldn't he keep his own heart in check?

I hung up and hailed a cab.

When the driver asked where to go, I didn't hesitate. "Take me to the Healer clinic."

Rain lashed against the car window. The numbness in my chest slowly receded, replaced by icy clarity.

Walking into the clinic in a soaked wedding gown drew immediate stares. A nurse hurried over, asking if I needed emergency help.

I gave her a weary smile. "Can you check me in? I need an appointment… for an abortion."

The nurse froze, her eyes instantly softening with pity.

While settling the payment, I caught sight of James and Lily down the hallway.

They didn't notice me. Their voices drifted clearly toward my corner.

James spoke in a low, harsh tone: "Lily, Emily was wrong today, and she will apologize to you!"

"She’s spent the last eight years with me—nobody else will ever want her. If she still wants to be Luna, she’ll fall in line and do what she’s told."

I stood motionless in the shadow of the corridor.

I thought after everything that happened today, my heart was dead. Turns out, it could still sting.

Lying on the examination table, looking at the tiny flicker on the ultrasound screen, a tear slipped from the corner of my eye.

The Healer looked at me gently. "The pup is healthy. Are you absolutely sure you don't want to keep it?"

"You can still discuss this with the father."

Remembering the sneer on James’s face, I clenched my teeth.

"No need."