Chapter 2

The following morning, Daniel was still absent. I hurried through breakfast and headed to the office, receiving a mind-link message from him en route.

“Kensley, why didn’t you fix me breakfast?”

“Is this just about missing my birthday yesterday?”

“Why make a mountain out of a molehill?”

Daniel had stomach troubles, a weakness that seemed to plague even Alphas like him. Despite our many arguments, I always made sure he had food ready—something he'd grown to expect from me, his mate. Rather than respond, I blocked him from my mind-link.

I should have ended this bond ages ago. Ever since Cataleya, the Luna of the Shadow Claw Pack, showed up with that wish book, our relationship had been like a thorn in my side. Whatever she wrote down, Daniel felt obligated to complete, as if her childhood act of saving his life gave her an eternal claim on him.

He had left me stranded at a highway rest stop, missed my birthday, and vanished in the middle of a movie. We quarreled countless times about this, but Daniel always concluded with, “Kensley, Cataleya saved my life when we were pups. Should I be an ungrateful rogue?”

“These are just little things. Helping a fellow pack member isn’t a big deal.”

I accepted his reasoning, yet those “little things” kept escalating—from fetching her medication when she was sick to taking time off from pack duties for trips abroad with her. Meanwhile, I, his mate, could only watch as he bonded with another woman. If I showed even a hint of discontent, Daniel accused me of being petty and childish, reminding me that without Cataleya, he wouldn’t be alive.

So I endured, hoping that once the wishes were fulfilled, Daniel and I could return to normal. But now I see how profoundly mistaken I was.

After blocking Daniel, my life grew a bit quieter. I mind-linked Albert, my Beta and confidant, “Is that overseas healer assignment still available?”

A month ago, Albert had offered me a prestigious healer position in the UK—a rare opportunity for an Omega like me. Three years there, with a status boost upon my return. I had said no because I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Daniel. For years, my greatest aspiration was to build a life with him as his Luna. Despite everything, leaving him was never an option.

But now, I was ready to move on.

Albert quickly replied through the mind-link, “Kensley, are you interested now? That’s excellent! I’d prefer you to go over anyone else.”

With the overseas assignment sorted, I threw myself into my duties as a healer. However, when leaving the pack’s medical quarters that evening, I saw Daniel’s familiar black SUV parked outside. I wanted to act as though I hadn’t noticed, but Daniel stepped out and blocked my path.

“Kensley, I’ve reserved a table at a restaurant to celebrate your birthday tonight.”

Before I could refuse, he ushered me into the car. With pack members milling about, I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I opened the back door and got in.

Such a simple act, yet Daniel’s expression turned somber. “Kensley, why not sit up front today…”

I replied casually, “I’m more comfortable in the back.”

I used to sit in the front passenger seat all the time. But after one dinner with Cataleya, when I instinctively took the passenger seat, she jotted down in her wish book: “The front seat belongs to Cataleya.”

After that, I always sat in the back. When I argued with Daniel about it, he flippantly replied, “It’s just a seat. Why fuss over where you sit?”

I closed my eyes, trying to avoid further communication with Daniel, but the moment the air conditioning switched on, I started sneezing—overpowered by a strong, unfamiliar scent, one that wasn’t mine or Daniel’s.

When I stopped sneezing, I realized the car had transformed significantly. The front was adorned with tiny trinkets, and the back was strewn with clothes and makeup. I once asked if I could hang a good luck charm in his car, but Daniel snapped, “Kensley, if you want me to drive safely, don’t clutter my car!”

So, it wasn’t about the items—it was about me.

I noticed Daniel wore a silver bracelet engraved with Cataleya’s initials and a ruby earring—jewelry he once swore he’d never wear. There was even an “m” tattoo subtly visible on his neck, a marking that made my stomach churn.

I had been deliberately ignoring these details, but now I couldn’t deny how much Cataleya’s wish book had reshaped Daniel. Small things they might have been, but they had left echoes throughout our bond—echoes that felt like grains of sand in my eyes, always grating.

Now, looking at this altered version of Daniel, imprinted indelibly by Cataleya, I felt nothing. Those once-painful details were laid bare, yet they didn’t hurt anymore.

Seeing I’d stopped sneezing, he said, “Cataleya’s wish list is complete. We won’t argue over those things anymore, so let’s stop being upset with me.”

Would we really not? Thinking about the grand marking ceremony and the congratulations from his packmates, I felt nothing but amusement.

I responded with a cold, dismissive “Oh.”

Soon, Daniel’s phone rang, displaying “Cataleya Darling.” He accepted the call, and her voice filled the car. “Daniel, can you come get me? I’m stuck in the countryside and can’t catch a ride. I’m really scared…”

Her voice quivered, and Daniel promptly assured her, “Cataleya, don’t worry. Send me your location, and I’ll be there soon.”

Hearing his urgent tone, I realized it didn’t matter if the wishes were complete; their connection would never end.

After hanging up, Daniel glanced at me in the rearview mirror with a hint of hesitation. “Let’s pick Cataleya up and have dinner together. It’ll liven up your birthday.”

I declined, “Just drop me off somewhere. I’m too exhausted today.”

My words sparked Daniel’s ire.

“Kensley, must you stir the pot? Do you know how unsafe it is for Cataleya to be alone out there?!”

“Can’t you choose a more appropriate time for your antics, or do you truly wish her harm?”

I responded coldly, “I’m not stopping you from going to her. I’m simply exhausted. Why assume I want her in harm’s way?”

Daniel, fed up with arguing, gave an ultimatum.

“Kensley, either you join us willingly, or get out of the car now.”

I chuckled bitterly at that.

We were on the highway. If Daniel left me here, getting a cab would be impossible, and I’d be lucky to make it off the highway safely.

My bitter laugh pushed him over the edge. He pulled over on the emergency lane, forced me out of the car, and said, “Fine, if you don’t want to come, make your way home on your own.”

Without a backward glance, he drove off, leaving me alone by the roadside.