Chapter 3

"You smiled."

Cade stared at me. His eyes lit up. He sounded so sure, like he'd caught me red-handed. "I knew you still cared about me. Why else would you smile at me?"

As he talked, his Alpha aura pressed through the crack in the door.

He reached out, trying to touch my face.

I dodged his hand. I wiped the smile from my face instantly. "I'm just a cheerful person. I apologize if I misled you, Alpha Cade."

My wolf rolled its eyes inside my head. Its tail swished slowly. It was definitely not amused.

Cade shook his head, looking mildly exasperated. He gave me a smile he thought was charming. "Always with the jokes."

He completely ignored the sarcasm. He chuckled softly. The laugh was smug and satisfied, but he tried hard to wear a look of "doting future mate."

He said, "You're just as stubborn as you used to be. Well, once we're mated, you won't have anywhere to hide."

"I know how much you love me. I waited five years, and I will give you the most perfect mating ceremony!"

He said "waited" with a devotion that sounded like a vow to the Moon Goddess. But he hadn't consulted me or my wolf about this vow, not once.

He put one hand on the doorframe, trying to lean into the house. "Are you really going to make me stand out here?"

I was done listening to his Alpha monologue. I also refused to let him set foot in my house. I lifted my foot and stomped down hard on his toes.

While Cade gasped in pain, I slammed the door shut and locked it. All in one smooth motion.

Too bad I was wearing flats and not heels, my wolf grumbled. It felt cheated out of a satisfying stomp.

Through the heavy door, I left him with one last line. "Cade, we were over a long time ago!"

Silence lasted half a second outside.

Five years ago, I might have cared about his reaction. Now, I just found him pathetic. If wolfsbane could silence that mouth, the world would be much quieter. No wonder I ran away back then.

A low gasp came from outside. "Alright. If you're shy, I won't come in tonight."

He actually interpreted my actions for me.

"I'll send someone over tomorrow with your mating dress. Try it on. Hazel picked it out. It fit her perfectly, and you girls have similar taste. You don't look like you gained weight, so it should fit you, too..."

My manners kept me from yelling obscenities through the door. My wolf was already clawing at the non-existent walls in frustration.

I suddenly regretted coming home alone. Skipping the ride with him was clearly a bad decision.

At least if he were here, the narcissistic Alpha outside wouldn't dare make so much noise.

I kicked the front door. The wood THUDDED, a clear signal for him to shut up.

Cade frowned outside. "Trista, you really need to control that temper. When you're the Moonriver Pack's Luna, you can't behave like this in public. You should learn from Hazel on that."

In his mind, my future title had already downgraded. I went from "Alpha's Daughter by Alliance Pact" to simply "Moonriver Pack's Luna." My only purpose, apparently, was to look good for him.

Our pack's business had indeed struggled the past couple of years. My parents were older. After giving control to professional managers, they came back to enjoy retirement.

That's why I was alone in the house now. Otherwise, I would have already called two warrior wolves to drag him away from the door.

"Cade. Hazel is so wonderful. Why don't you just mate with her?"

I meant it.

I had to admit, they were a match. Like two peas in a pod. If the Moon Goddess had any sense, she'd put those two together and leave me alone.

Cade laughed again outside, sounding smug. "Trista, you're jealous again. How many times do I have to say it? I only want you. I won't respond to Hazel's love. Just be a good girl. Wait to put on that dress, stand at the altar, and be my bride."

Every time he said "only you," my wolf wanted to kick the door again.

I finally heard his footsteps fading away. A deep sense of futility washed over me. It was like talking to a wall.

Whatever. Mom and Dad would be back with the kid in a few days. He'd be back too.

The next morning, the Moonriver Pack sent someone with the mating dress.

It came in a perfect box, the ribbon flawlessly tied. But I had zero interest in opening it.

I had already worn a unique, custom-made gown, one of a kind. Why would I care about a used dress? One someone else had tried on and taken off?

I took the gold-embossed invitation from Connor, Cade's beta.

The invitation had the Moonriver Pack crest. The gold trim flashed brightly in the sunlight.

I looked down. Under the line for the mating pair, "Hazel" was neatly printed. It was then crudely crossed out, and "Trista" was written next to it in pen.

Classic Cade. Make the decision first, then inform me later.

I laughed. I tossed the invitation gently back to Connor.

"Beta Connor, I think you have the wrong address. The dress should go to Hazel. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to have it."

Connor's face turned instantly sour. His eyes burned with fury, like he wanted to tear me apart. "Trista, this was supposed to be Alpha Cade's mating ceremony with Hazel! You're the one who barged back in and made Alpha Cade change his mind! And now you're putting on an act!"

"I don't understand what Alpha Cade sees in you! To hurt the kind and wonderful Hazel for you!"

Well, birds of a feather flock together. Hanging around the wrong people too long clearly made one lose common sense.

I ignored Connor's ranting behind me and strode away.