Chapter 1

Leon Blackwood was the most ruthless Alpha in the underground werewolf pack.

Three years ago, when he was being hunted down, I took him in, and he claimed me.

Later, he made his comeback and took back his throne as the pack's Alpha.

Then his ex-girlfriend, Donna Hayes, came back, claiming she'd been forced to leave back then.

Leon believed her.

He brought Donna into the main house and banished me to the backyard.

I didn't make a fuss. I kept cooking his meals every day, like nothing had changed.

But he never showed up for a single meal.

Ninety days later, I left the backyard key on the dining table, and then went to the airport.

Leon chased me all the way to the boarding gate and grabbed my wrist. "How dare you leave me? I've claimed you!"

I raised my wrist, showing him that the claiming mark was already gone.

I said, "Leon, you helped Donna get back her entire fortune.

"I saved your life. Three years ago, I mortgaged all my property to buy that land and build that mansion for you.

"The deed is in my name. I'm taking back what's mine. That's fair, isn't it?"

*****

"Replace the mattress in the master bedroom. Donna doesn't like soft mattresses," Leon said, leaning against the doorframe with a half-smoked cigar in his hand.

My hands froze for a second as I was folding clothes.

"Okay," I said, putting the last sweater into the box.

He walked over and stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray.

"The room in the backyard's already been cleaned. You're moving there today," he said, his tone flat.

I taped the box shut.

The sharp rip of tape cut through the silence of the room.

He said, his tone softening a bit as he looked at me, "Donna has been on edge lately. The master bedroom faces the right way, so maybe she'll finally get some real sleep.

"She was taken by those people because of me back then. She has suffered a lot."

I stood up and brushed the dust off my hands.

I knew exactly how Donna left back then.

She took one million dollars in cash from our rival, booked a flight, and left the country overnight.

But I kept my mouth shut.

"I owe Donna. I have to make it up to her," Leon said as he rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

My eyes lingered on the totem barely visible above his collar.

Three years ago, he was drenched in blood, collapsed in front of my car, and that totem was nearly slashed in half by a blade.

I dragged him home, sold off every share I owned, bought this land, and built this safe mansion for him.

I kept vigil by his bedside for three days and nights, dragging him back from the brink of death.

And now, he said it was Donna he owed.

"Leave a few designer clothes in the cloakroom for Donna," Leon suddenly said.

I stopped in my tracks.

He said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "She's about your size, and she came back in such a rush that she barely brought any clothes.

"I'll take her to get some new ones made in a few days, but she'll have to borrow yours for now."

I'd just brought those clothes back from Parino last month. I hadn't even gotten the chance to wear them.

"Donna has sensitive skin. She can only wear silk," he added.

I looked down at the rash spreading across the back of my hand.

Two days ago, Leon had all the body wash in the house replaced with the rose-scented kind Donna preferred.

He was not allergic to roses, but he forgot that I was.

"Okay," I replied calmly.

I turned and walked into the cloakroom, taking out those designer clothes, which were still in their dust covers, and hung them on the hook behind the door.

Leon watched my quick, efficient movements, a flicker of approval flashing in his eyes.

"I knew you were always sensible," he said, coming over and reaching out to ruffle my hair, like he always did.

I tilted my head just enough to dodge his hand.

His hand hung awkwardly in the air. He slightly frowned.

"Don't get upset," he said, pulling his hand back, his voice gentle, almost indulgent. "Donna's just staying here for now. Once she's better, I'll set her up somewhere else."

I picked up the box from the floor.

"I'm moving to the backyard," I said, brushing past him toward the stairs.

"Cook a few extra dishes tonight. Donna wants to try your cooking," he called after me. "Her stomach's not great, so skip the black pepper."

I didn't look back and headed straight down the stairs.

The door to the main house closed behind me, sealing me off from everything inside.

The early autumn breeze stung my face with its chill, making my skin prickle.

Hugging the box to my chest, I made my way toward the backyard step by step.

The backyard was originally meant for storage. The room was tiny, with just a bed and a wardrobe.

I set the box down and pushed the window open to let some air in.

From here, I could see the master bedroom balcony on the second floor of the main house.

Donna was leaning against the railing in my silk pajamas, enjoying the breeze.

Leon came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and draping a coat over her shoulders.

They were talking in low voices, and then Donna laughed, her whole body swaying with joy.

I turned my gaze away before drawing the curtains closed.

The room went dark.

I sat on the edge of the bed, pulled out my phone, and opened a secure chat window.

[Schedule the claiming mark removal surgery for me,] I typed out and hit send.

The reply came back almost instantly. [Removing Alpha's claiming mark is like ripping out a piece of your soul.

[You can't use any anesthesia. It'll hurt so much that you'll wish you were dead. And once it starts, there's no turning back.]

I stared at the words on the screen, the claiming mark on my wrist faintly burning.

Leon left it on me three years ago when he claimed me. He said it was a once-in-a-lifetime mating bond for werewolves.

I replied: [Schedule it for tomorrow afternoon.]