Chapter 2

I scraped the words out of my throat.

"I... don't know."

The old Ethan would have lifted me up the moment he saw my face.

No — the old Ethan would never have touched me like this.

I shook. I felt like I was dying.

There was still a flicker of pity in Ethan's eyes, but his grip didn't loosen.

"Elara, you've been bad. You have to be punished."

Then, ignoring my struggling, he dragged me onto the helicopter.

Ten minutes later, we were at ten thousand feet.

"Elara, it's not too late to tell me."

Ethan smiled faintly and opened the door of the cabin.

The empty sky below me. My legs gave. I almost fell.

"Ethan — it wasn't me. You know I'm afraid of heights—"

He didn't listen. He strapped me into a parachute and tightened it hard, coaxing:

"Elara, you've crossed the line this time. Tell me where they are and I'll let you down."

Ethan knew I was afraid of heights. Now, for Seraphine and her pups, he was holding me ten thousand feet over open air.

"Ethan—" I couldn't stop shaking. Tears streaked down my face.

"I'll say it one last time. It wasn't me."

Fire flared in Ethan's eyes. He gave a cold laugh — then shoved me out.

Maybe from sheer terror, my mind went blank. I remembered everything from before.

Ten years. How did Ethan and I end up here?

When I first became his Beta aide, I kept warning myself not to fall.

It was Ethan who, over three years, broke me down.

For my birthday, he set fireworks over the entire Northern Territory.

He went down on one knee ninety-nine times.

He piled gifts until they filled a whole manor.

I had buried my feelings. Ethan told me not to be afraid. He said he'd go against his Alpha nature and love only me.

Because of that, I accepted his hundredth proposal.

After we Marked, Ethan didn't let me down.

Whatever I liked, he bought. Right away.

Even though I didn't want anyone to know, he agreed to a secret Bond.

I thought we'd be the exception in this circle.

Until I heard the name Seraphine.

Seraphine was his first love. She'd also saved his life once.

When the Sterling Pack collapsed years ago, Seraphine ditched him and left for another territory without a second thought.

Four years ago, her own family fell apart and she came crawling back.

After that, she interrupted me and Ethan more times than I could count.

One call, and he would walk out.

Ethan and I fought about it over and over. He would hold me, angry, and explain gently:

"I just want to repay her for saving me back then. She abandoned me when it mattered — how could I still love her? I have you."

Blinded by love, I chose to believe him.

So I looked the other way for four years.

Until her twins were four years old.

...

When I woke up again, I stared at the Pack Infirmary ceiling, numb.

The Healer looked at me with regret. "You just lost a pup, and now you've taken another blow to the abdomen. You may never carry again."

I pulled at my mouth. Tears fell and wouldn't stop.

I dragged myself home. Before I opened the door, I heard Seraphine inside.

"Ethan, if you let me and the pups move in, what will Elara do when she gets back? What if she hurts them again? I don't know what I'll do."

She sobbed.

Through the crack of the door I saw Ethan pull her into his arms.

"Don't be scared. I won't let her touch you. If she tries — I'll give her something worse."

I pulled at my mouth.

So throwing a wolf afraid of heights out a helicopter at ten thousand feet didn't count as worse.

A gust blew the door wide. Ethan and I locked eyes.

He let go of Seraphine. A flash of panic crossed his face.

I walked past them without expression and started up the stairs.

"Elara. Stop."

Ethan's voice was calm.

I turned.

His brow was tight. Accusation in his eyes.

"Don't you want to ask why I brought them home?"

At that the twins shrank against his leg.

His eyes softened with love.

"Because of you, the pups can't sleep at night. Seraphine's anxiety is flaring up. You feel nothing?"

Seraphine tugged his sleeve.

"Ethan, it's okay. Elara didn't mean it."

I laughed coldly. Before I could speak, Seraphine screamed and dove against Ethan's chest.

"Ethan, I'm scared—"

He pulled her in tight and kissed her temple.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here. She won't hurt you."

I stood there and watched them hold each other. It was ridiculous.

I turned to go upstairs. I hadn't taken three steps before Ethan grabbed my wrist.

His eyes were full of blame. "Elara, this has gone too far. You see how scared Seraphine and the pups are. Make it right."

I tried to pull free. I couldn't. I stared at him, calm.

He paused, then continued.

"Give me back the Moon pendant I gave you."