Chapter 2

"Aria, I heard you had an argument with Elder Marcus. What's this about?" The next day, Kane burst into the room, growling in a low voice.

My heart slammed against my ribs, but I managed to say, "Alpha, just taking care of some business. Some things you've clearly overlooked."

Kane clenched his jaw.

"What else? Aria, what are you babbling about now?"

"The kind that needs attention," I shot back. I held up a folded document, carefully hiding the key details.

"And this. A little legal paperwork. My family's lawyers are particularly... insistent that some old trust paperwork be finalized tonight. They say if it's not signed, it could cause trouble for your leadership. Alpha, just a quick signature, and I promise my family's 'drama' won't interfere with you."

He snorted and waved his hand dismissively.

"Too dramatic. I have more important things to deal with than your tedious paperwork."

"Of course," I said, my voice sweet as poison. I moved closer to him, making sure he could smell my faint perfume—the one he once claimed to adore.

"Just a simple signature, Alpha, unless you're afraid to sign anything with your Luna beside you?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous, Aria. I don't need you to sign my documents."

He snatched the papers and pen from my hands, glanced at the blank space with his name, and scrawled his signature hastily.

"There, done. Sorry, I have some important pack matters to handle," Kane said, looking toward the door.

A sharp, burning pain suddenly shot through my lower abdomen. I gasped, choking, gripping the dresser tightly as the room spun around me.

"Aria? What's wrong with you?" Kane's voice was cold and annoyed.

But just then, urgent, frantic knocking echoed through the room.

"Alpha Kane! Athena needs you! It's an emergency! She's having chest pains again!" David's panicked shouts pierced through my haze of pain.

Kane whipped his head toward the door, all annoyance vanishing, replaced by urgent, desperate concern. He didn't spare me another glance.

"Coming!" he roared, already halfway out the door, and then he was gone.

The pain intensified, becoming a twisting, heart-wrenching agony that left me breathless. I collapsed to the floor, gasping, tears blurring my vision as Kane's departure echoed in the empty room.

He had never chosen me.

Painful memories of last year's Harvest Moon celebration flashed before my eyes. It was after Kane became the Blackwood Pack Alpha, after Nathan's death secured his position, partly because he was my mate. The bonfire blazed high, music soared, and wolves from different packs danced and celebrated with wild joy. Kane stood beside me, his arm lightly around my waist.

Then Athena appeared at the edge of the clearing. Her silver gown shimmered in the firelight; her smile seemed to look straight at Kane. A gasp erupted from the crowd as a lost, aggressive rogue wolf charged straight toward her.

Kane's arm dropped from my waist. He didn't hesitate. A primal roar burst from his throat as he shifted partially, intercepting the threat, savagely tearing into the attacker, shocking everyone present. He subdued the threat within seconds, standing as a bloody victor. But as he stood there panting, his gaze immediately turned to Athena. He didn't pause. He didn't hear the worried murmurs from the crowd. He didn't check if I was hurt. He walked straight to her, his large hands gently cupping her face, examining her for any wounds, his expression mixing deep relief with fierce possessiveness. With me, his mate, his touch was polite and distant. For her, he offered his life and his untamed protection. In that moment, watching him, I understood. I was the Alpha's mate, but she was the one he would fight for.

The pain exploded again, this time more intense, and warmth spread between my legs. My hand instinctively moved down. Wet. Sticky. Blood. So much blood.

A strangled scream escaped my throat. I tried to push myself up, but my arms wouldn't support me. Darkness began to creep into my vision.

Before the world collapsed, the last thing I heard was Kane's faint, mocking voice echoing in my memory: "Athena's life is worth more than Nathan's."