Chapter 2

To guarantee the success of the cryonics experiment, I strictly adhered to Professor Anna Jordan’s instructions: erase every trace of my past existence. It felt like dismantling my own life piece by piece.

Among the documents she had sent was a chilling revelation—the donor form for my mother’s organs. The signature at the bottom was neat, familiar, heartbreakingly perfect. My signature. Except, it wasn’t mine.

Gregory Young, Beta of the Silvermoon Pack, had forged it.

Memories assaulted me: Gregory holding my hand, laughing as he practiced copying my handwriting, joking that someday he would write me love poems. I had believed in the innocence of those moments, once. Now, each memory twisted bitterly, revealing the careful construction of a trap I never saw coming.

Fueled by a surge of frustration so fierce it made my hands tremble, I stormed back home. The house greeted me with a strained stillness.

Gregory was there—rare for this hour—leaning casually against the doorway, an almost practiced mask of concern on his face.

"Kora," he said, voice syrupy-sweet, "where have you been? It seems the jewelry I gave you... is missing."

A hollow laugh escaped me before I could stop it. "Oh, that?" I said lightly. "I thought about donating it to a charity, but they said it wasn't worth much. I ended up giving it to a recycling lady instead."

I watched, almost clinically, as his expression tightened, the corners of his mouth twitching before he forced them into a smile.

Gregory's easygoing facade cracked for a heartbeat. His voice sharpened, almost too quickly, "Those charity workers have no idea what real craftsmanship is! They're wrong. I'll go get it back immediately."

The sudden urgency in his tone made my stomach churn.

"No need," I said smoothly, masking the revulsion curling in my gut. "You can always buy me something new."

For a moment, relief flickered across his face, so fleeting I barely caught it before he masked it again with a tender smile.

My stomach churned at his urgency. "Don't bother. You can always buy me new jewelry later."

Relief flickered across his face as he pulled me into an embrace. "You're so kind, Kora, always thinking of others. Just think of it as charity. I'll get you something even more valuable tomorrow."

He promised it with such conviction, but then it hit me—a realization dawned. Tomorrow was Rylie Wagner's birthday. No wonder I was to receive a present too; it was leftovers from her celebration.

I said nothing and quietly sat down to eat. Lunch was familiar, from my favorite restaurant, a place Gregory had chosen for my meals for the last seven years. I used to think it was a sign of his love. Now, it just felt indifferent.

As he came closer, I caught a whiff of roasted dishes clinging to him. Who had he cooked for? To keep Rylie undisturbed, it seemed he had taken great pains. I tossed the food into the trash and left the house.

This seven-year performance needed to end. Besides erasing my identity, I needed to sever our mate bond. I wanted no ties with this man any longer.

After leaving the law firm with the divorce papers, I made my way to Gregory's office. As I entered, I overheard whispers from the staff.

"Ms. Wagner is stunning, a perfect match for our Beta Gregory."

"Is she the rumored mate of Beta Gregory? No wonder he keeps her under wraps."

"She must be! The handbag and jewelry she's flaunting are worth millions, all gifts from our Beta Gregory!"

Before I could catch more, Kayden Ferguson, Gregory's assistant and a Delta in our pack, approached and led me away. Upstairs in the office, I heard familiar voices.

"How's Musa treating you? Are you two alright?" Gregory inquired cautiously, as if wary of both the answer and the question.

Rylie responded, her voice sweet, "He's wonderful. He started a jewelry brand just for me as a surprise. Even after seven years, he's like a child."

The man she spoke of, who now treated her with such devotion, was my ex-boyfriend who had abandoned me after the accident. At that moment, I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of loneliness. Every man I've loved has only ever loved Rylie. And I was never the one deserving of love.

Fingers digging into my palms, mirroring my internal turmoil, I stood dazed until Kayden received a call and urgently needed Gregory's signature. He opened the door in front of me.

Gregory looked surprised, "Kora? What brings you here?"

He hesitated, torn between stepping toward me and glancing at Rylie, who lounged on the sofa. Rylie smiled and got up to greet me, "Kora, long time no see. You're still as beautiful as ever."

Her words dripped with false sweetness. I wore outdated clothes, and my blindness had changed my appearance drastically. Rylie, with her intoxicating scent, was undoubtedly as graceful and stunning as ever. Although I couldn't see, I could imagine her dazzling beauty now.

I clenched my fists. Seven years ago, I was the belle of the campus. Now, I was nothing more than a discarded shadow.

Gregory, this is what you wanted, isn’t it?

But I wouldn’t let him win. Not anymore.