Chapter 2

After that episode, the pack looked away from me, ignoring me completely. They erupted in cheers and howls. Isabella blushed, nestled in Grayson’s arms.

“Oh no, everyone, don’t get the wrong idea. There’s really nothing going on between Grayson and me,” she said sweetly.

Grayson didn’t even bother to deny it. He simply tightened his grip on her waist, his possesiveness overflowing.

My eyes burned and I turned without a word and walked into the woods. I needed space, but more than that—I needed to move. Needed to do something before the fury clawing at my chest made me say things I couldn’t take back.

I shifted and ran until the trees blurred past me. Until my lungs burned and my muscles ached. I didn’t stop there.

I trained for hours—punches, kicks, dodging trees like they were opponents. My body was trembling, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to feel relaxed. I just needed a clear head.

How could he hold another woman like that? Smile like that? Pretend like I didn’t exist?

I was his true mate—not Isabella. Me.

The bond between us wasn’t fake. It wasn’t for show or convenience. It was real. Raw. The Goddess herself had tied us together, and yet here I was, forgotten like some backup soldier, while Isabella played the beloved future Luna.

By the time dawn broke, my limbs were numb, my clothes soaked with sweat, my hands scraped raw from bark and stone. Only then did I start back down the mountain path.

My phone buzzed with an incomming call the second it had signal. Grayson.

“Nora, where the hell have you been? Ignoring my calls and slacking off?” He barked. “Isabella got bitten by insects last night during training. Go to the healer and bring her some medicine. Quick!”

I gritted my teeth at his commanding tone. Everyone saw Isabella as kind and gentle. She never asked for special treatment—at least, that’s what everyone believed. But no one knew that Grayson took care of her every need, and more often than not, those responsibilities fell on me.

“I was out,” I said, wiping dirt off my arm.

Silence hung on the other end before his tone shifted. “You spent the night in the forest? Alone?”

I didn’t answer.

Grayson’s voice softened. “Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you. It’ll take an hour. But you can go get the medicine first.”

Of course. Because she couldn’t possibly walk herself.

“Get it yourself,” I said.

“Nora—”

I hung up.

When I got back to the packhouse, Grayson was there, dressed and waiting. I walked past him.

“Why did you go out at night?” he demanded.

“Nothing important.”

He didn’t hide the way his jaw clenched but he didn't push. He tossed a takeout container on the table. “I brought you food.”

A sour stench hit my nose. The lid of the container was slightly open, revealing scraps of half-eaten meat.

I arched a brow. “Seriously?”

Grayson quickly grabbed the box, clearing his throat. “Someone must’ve given me the wrong one.”

“Right.” As if that could ever happen.

I collapsed onto the couch, muscles throbbing. “It's fine. I'm not that hungry anyway.”

He sighed, like I made him feel exhausted. His palms lay open in front of me. “Where's the medicine?”

I rolled my eyes and said nothing.

Grayson’s jaw clenched. “You should’ve told me.” His voice darkened. “Nora, I’ve told you before, there’s nothing between Isabella and me. It’s just for the pack’s image. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Yeah, I’m being ridiculous. I’m also imagining things.” I turned to look at him. “Do you even remember we’re mates? Or did that part slip your mind while you had your tongue in her mouth?”

I took a breath, feeling the mate bond throb. “It’s just medicine, Grayson. She can get it herself.”

I was done veing a slave to her. Done cleaning her clothes by hand because she refused to let anyone else touch them. Done cooking for her whenever she claimed the kitchen staff ‘didn’t make it the way she liked.’

I had been obedient for five years. But I was done. Pulling the blanket over my head, I whispered, “I’m tired.”

He was quiet for a long moment, then mumbled, “Forget it.” He left without another word.

That same day, a video went viral—Grayson carrying Isabella bridal-style into the healer’s quarters.

The comments were in a frenzy:

[The Alpha and his future Luna are too cute!]

[Is he finally making it official?]

[Look at the way he holds her—true love.]

[She’s glowing! I bet they’re already marking each other.]

I stared at the screen, heart cracking.

My phone rang. Grayson again.

“Nora, don’t look at the rumors. They’re not true.”

“No?”

“I only took her there because she wasn’t feeling well. That’s all. I didn’t want it to interfere with her role.”

“Of course. I understand,” I said flatly. “It’s all for the pack.”

Silence.

“…What did you just say?”

“I said I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll keep playing my part.”

I hung up first this time.

I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I just lay in bed staring at the ceiling, a decision already made. It no long mattered that I was his mate, one day, he'd regret it.