Chapter 1

On our tenth anniversary of the mate bond, my mate, Samuel Bennett, Alpha of the New York City Pack, vanished the entire morning. I figured he was orchestrating a surprise, so I headed eagerly to the hotel where we planned to meet. Instead, I was hit with a gut-wrenching confession: "I'm sorry, Elodie. I cheated."

My mind went numb. The image of the crimson sheets seared into my vision. Samuel sat there, defeated, rubbing his forehead. "It was a mistake, unintended. We were both wasted," he muttered, his alpha voice thick with guilt.

His friend, Reina Harrison, a Delta in our pack, clutched the sheets, sobbing, "I’m not a virgin anymore. How will I ever find a mate now?"

Samuel stayed silent for what felt like forever before finally saying, "I’m sorry, Reina. I’ll take responsibility."

I choked back tears. "And what about me?"

Samuel had no reply. I let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down my face. "Let’s sever the mate bond."

"No," he shot back, his voice firm yet filled with pain. "I’d rather die than reject you, Elodie."

Samuel’s eyes reddened as he removed his hearing aids, cutting off any chance of communication. I stared at him in despair, my wolf whimpering softly in the back of my mind.

My phone buzzed, showing a message from my ex-mate, Ryker Nguyen, Beta of the Silvermoon Pack: [Elodie, please don’t be mad at me, okay?]

...

"Listen, Iris, I’m not about to ruin someone else’s mate bond," Reina declared, tears glistening on her lashes. "Don’t worry, I won’t force Alpha Bennett to take responsibility."

She sniffled, "I won’t be the other woman!"

Reina stood shakily. Samuel reached out to help, but she shoved him away. She dressed, wiped her tears, gave Samuel a quick, tear-stained glance, grabbed her purse, and bolted out the door.

My nails dug into my palms, the pain anchoring me.

Samuel looked frantic as he threw on his clothes, reinserted his hearing aids, and rushed past me to chase after her. I collapsed onto the bed, feeling utterly powerless, my wolf curling into itself in sorrow.

Minutes later, Samuel returned, looking defeated. His eyes met mine, and he frowned disapprovingly, his alpha tone sharp, "How could you be so harsh on Reina? She’s not the one to blame."

I stared at him, shocked. Samuel’s brow furrowed, "Isn’t she?"

I gripped my phone, tears streaming down my face as I turned away, my voice choked. "And what about me?"

Samuel fell silent. He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "We were just having drinks with clients, and things spiraled out of control... Reina was a virgin... I have to take responsibility."

Samuel’s head hung low. My face twisted into a bitter smile.

"So, should I go back to my ex-mate to find someone who’ll take responsibility for me?"

Samuel was momentarily speechless. "I didn’t mean that."

I laughed, tears blurring my vision. "You’re still hung up on the fact that I’m not a virgin."

Samuel panicked, "I’m not! You know how much I love you."

"But you slept with someone else and now feel obligated to her."

Samuel’s voice trembled, "But it’s not her I love!"

"I messed up while I was drunk. Can’t you forgive me this once, for the sake of the thirteen years we’ve been together?"

Samuel crouched in front of me, his hands shaking as they held mine. I bowed my head, hiding my tears.

"I swear I won’t sleep with another woman or drink again, but..."

He lowered his head, "This is my fault; I have to take responsibility for Reina."

I pulled my hand away from Samuel’s grasp, locking eyes with him.

"What do you mean by responsibility? Being with her?"

Samuel stayed silent. I took it as a yes.

"Let’s sever the mate bond."

Samuel pursed his lips, avoiding my gaze.

"Reina’s not in a good place; I need to find her."

"Wait for me... I’ll fix this, but I won’t reject you."

"I only love you."

Samuel stood and hurried out. I buried my face in my hands, tears pouring uncontrollably, my wolf whimpering in shared agony.

Another message popped up on my phone.

[I won’t badmouth Alpha Bennett again. I’ll apologize to him face-to-face for what happened before.]

[Don’t shut me out anymore; I’ve been sidelined for thirteen years, I’m begging you...]

With trembling hands, I replied.

[I want to go home.]

The response came instantly: [I’m coming to get you right now. Wait for me.]