Chapter 2

My phone buzzed with a message from Liam.

[When the hell did you meet Silas? How long have you been screwing around with him? Olivia, you're making me look like a damn fool.]

I couldn't help but laugh. He was the one who'd cheated, and now he thought I was the one being unfaithful? Typical Alpha arrogance.

Just as I was about to lock my phone, another message popped up.

[Come back now, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened.]

I rolled my eyes and blocked him without a second thought.

Silas knew how to respect boundaries. He just glanced at me and told me why he'd come.

He'd helped me escape Liam's grip, but there was a catch: I had to join Goldendawn Media.

"Ms. Hale, you're a rare talent. I've wanted to bring you on board for a while now. But..."

He left it at that.

I knew what he meant. My inner wolf was practically howling for me to say yes, but reason and bitterness won out.

I offered him a thin, wry smile. "Let's not dig up the past. I'll think carefully about your offer. But I still have loose ends to tie up. I want to be clear-headed before I start anything new."

"I'll be waiting for your call then."

*****

Silas's car pulled away into the night.

I exhaled a long, shaky breath and let myself inside.

This was the house Liam and I'd bought together when we'd mated, our private space, far from the pack and the cameras.

I remembered the joy we felt moving in; every corner held a piece of our happiness.

But as Liam got busier with his acting gigs, we hardly ever came back anymore.

I sank onto the couch, my enhanced shifter senses picking up the faint, lingering scent of Liam's Alpha pheromones.

Just then, my assistant Lily called, her voice tight with urgency. "Olivia, you need to check Twitter."

I unlocked my phone, and the screen practically screamed with Liam and Emma's names. Their relationship had taken over every trending topic.

[Top actor Liam and rising star Emma go public with their relationship.]

[They're so cute together. I'm totally shipping them.]

It felt like a physical punch to the chest. I shut my phone off, but the words were already seared into my head.

Liam: [Meet my life-long female lead, Emma Thorne.]

Emma: [Meet my life-long male lead, Liam Blackwood.]

I thought I could stay calm, but the ache in my chest wouldn't ease up.

Liam and I dated for six years, married for another six, and yet he never once made it official for me.

But now, he did it for Emma without hesitation.

Lily sounded furious. "This is way too much. You're hurt, and Liam can't be bothered to check on you. And he even has the nerve to post that with Emma?

"Now everyone's saying you're the other woman online. But you're the one he's mated to, his real wife.

"And you're his agent, for God's sake. He didn't even tell you about any of this before..."

"Alright, Lily," I cut her off. The old mark on my neck tingled, a faint reminder of the bond Liam'd tossed aside.

I took a deep breath. "My contract with Horizon Entertainment is almost up. Soon, I won't be Liam's agent anymore."

Lily sounded doubtful. "Can you really bring yourself to leave Liam?"

I gave a self-deprecating smile. Everyone knew I was obsessed with Liam, totally blinded by love.

My contract with Horizon Entertainment was about to expire, but nobody even bothered to discuss renewing it. They were sure I'd stick around.

After all, Liam had signed a long-term contract with them, one so loaded with perks, he'd never walk away.

They didn't need to dangle extra benefits to keep me tied down.

Over the years, many companies had reached out with offers, all way better than what Horizon Entertainment could give. But for Liam, I let every single opportunity slip away.

Five years ago, when Goldendawn Group was about to break into the entertainment industry, Silas had sought me out personally, inviting me to be CEO of their new division, Goldendawn Media.

My heart wanted to say yes, but Liam held me tight all night, begging me not to leave him. And I'd caved.

I shut my eyes, ignoring my instincts for a love that was never truly mine.

Liam, never again would you cost me my future.

Liam and I were classmates in high school. He'd been the golden boy: strong, confident, the obvious heir to the pack's Alpha role, the campus heartthrob everyone fawned over.

I'd been the opposite, an orphaned Beta, quiet and withdrawn, so self-conscious I'd hug the walls to avoid attention.

Our worlds should've never collided.

But they did.

Once, a group of rogue Beta wolves from a rival pack cornered me in the school bathroom. They taunted me, yanked at my clothes, and threatened to film me and post it online.

Liam burst through the door, shifted instantly, and chased them off.

Ever since then, he'd been my shield.

Then his pack was ambushed by Rogues. His parents, the former Alpha and Luna, were slaughtered.

His entire world was shattered. He spiraled into a hollow depression, burning up with a vicious shifter fever for three straight days.

I stayed by his side, caring for him day and night.

We weren't fated mates. Our bond hadn't been forged by the moon goddess.

But we only had each other. We clung to our love, leaning hard on one another.

Everyone always asked if giving up all those amazing chances was worth it.

Back then, how Liam used to hold me close every night made me believe it was.

But now, I wished I could shake awake that lovestruck version of myself.