Chapter 2

Five years later.I stepped off the plane. The moment my foot hit the tarmac, my phone rang.

I hit 'answer.' Cade's familiar voice was instantly on the line. "Trista. The mating ceremony is in five days, at Hill Manor. The one I promised you, all those years ago."

"Wait a minute..." I couldn't help but ask. "Didn't we break up five years ago?"

A half-second of silence. Then, a distinct sneer. "You threw a temper tantrum and ran off for five years. Haven't you gotten it out of your system?"

I opened my mouth. But he didn't give me a chance to speak. He just kept talking. "Besides, you're only back because you heard I was getting mated, right?"

He acted like he was summarizing my own motives. "Don't worry. You're the bride."

My heart sank.

"Look, regarding Hazel, I need you to be mature about this," he continued. "She's the one who stuck by me for those five years you were gone. I know you'll treat her well."

The airport announcements kept blaring—reminding passengers to buckle up, don't forget luggage.

My ears were buzzing. The announcements and his voice merged into a chaotic mess of noise.

I swallowed my anger. I tried to sound calm. "I came back to take over the pack—"

"You'll take it over with me." He cut me off directly. His tone was final. "Your parents' pack will merge with mine. This is my way of compensating you."

Compensating?

Before I could even laugh, he wrapped it up. "So it's settled. See you at Hill Manor in five days."

He hung up, short and sharp.

I slowly pulled the corners of my mouth up into a cold smirk. I powered off my phone and shoved it back into the leather holster on my hip.

Five years ago, that night at Shadowwood Plaza, I said the word "done" amidst the spilled wine and the jeers. Then, I got on a flight to France.

For five years, I studied, fought, and negotiated over there. I went from the border battlefield to the Alliance Council table. I was too busy to ever think about the words "ex-fiancé."

The car drove past the city boundary marker. The familiar pack scent grew stronger.

It was late when I finally reached the Pack House.

My parents were still away dealing with Alliance business. I took my luggage upstairs, had a quick shower, and dug out a comfortable, loose-fitting tracksuit from the bottom of a chest.

I had just sat down on the living room couch. I wanted to finally let myself and my Wolf rest for the night. That's when the urgent knocking started.

"BANG! BANG!—"

Each knock was harder than the last. It sounded like the next one would just smash the door open.

"Open up, Trista! How long are you going to act like a spoiled brat?"

Cade's familiar voice broke through the wood door. The smell of pine and alcohol slipped in with it.

I got up, annoyed. My wolf's ears were perked. My fingertips felt cold.

I walked to the door and yanked it open.

The man outside clearly didn't expect the door to fly open. He stumbled, almost crashing into me.

Cade stood in the doorway, framed by the night air. His jacket was half-slung over his shoulder. He looked like a lingering storm.

His eyes scanned my face and then traveled all the way down to my feet, stopping at the bulky tracksuit I was wearing.

He curled his lip into a familiar sneer. "Five years away from me, and this is what you look like? This mess?"

In his mind, only designer clothes and careful makeup counted as 'doing well.'

I couldn't be bothered to explain. I didn't even bother to roll my eyes. I was about to close the door when he spoke again. "Alright. Since you came back, you must have come to your senses."

"That breakup? I'll just put it down to youthful immaturity. I'm not holding it against you."

"However," his face darkened, and his golden eyes went cold. "I kept track of the slap you gave Hazel for five years."

"The only reason we're getting mated now is because she's so forgiving."

He spoke like he was crowning Hazel. "You have to apologize to her."

I slowly curved my lips. I couldn't help but smile. "Why would I apologize?"

"Because you owe her," Cade said, utterly self-righteous. It was like he was stating a universal truth. "You were off living it up in France. She was the one who stayed by my side."

"She's a good person, though," he went on, totally missing how ridiculous he sounded. "She even volunteered to let me mate you when she heard you were back. She didn't want to stand in your way."

"See how considerate she is?"

"From now on, you'll treat her like family. We'll give her a home together."

"We?" I raised an eyebrow, repeating the word. The coldness in my voice was hard to miss.

"Of course," he said, sounding certain, almost proud. "You've always had a bad temper. You're spoiled. You constantly caused drama. The pack has declined since you left. Who else but me would still want you as a future Luna?"

"Everyone knows you're the she-wolf I plan to mark."

I watched him for a few seconds. My wolf was strangely quiet, waiting for me to speak.

Finally, I laughed. It wasn't a happy sound. "Cade. What makes you think I haven't changed in five years?"

"Did it ever occur to you that I might have found my true mate while I was away?"

Cade sneered. His fangs looked sharp, like he wanted to crush something. "Don't bother lying to me. Coming back from France means you're coming back to me by default."

I suddenly felt that saying anything else was a total waste of time.

I genuinely found him hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.