Chapter 2

"Aren't you staying in Silvoron with Eleni? Did you two have a fight?" Violeta asked, her voice anxious.

Dario felt a lump in his throat, but he forced himself to keep his voice steady.

He said, "My favorite werewolf leader is in the Mistport territory. There, my skills serve best. Eleni wished me to stay with her in Silvoron, but I chose otherwise. I go to fulfill my dream in Mistport."

Violeta didn't press him further. She said gently, "Alright, I support your decision. I'll book your flight to Mistport for a week from now."

After hanging up, Dario could still hear the soft, suppressed groans coming from inside the chamber.

It was a sound Dario was all too familiar with.

That voice had sung him to sleep on the phone each night of his border patrol.

He pressed his trembling body against the stone wall.

He never imagined that the one who'd been so close to him that morning, swearing they'd always be together, would be hooking up with another guy in the evening.

The groans inside suddenly got louder, stabbing right into Dario's ears. He couldn't stand it anymore and rushed off to the bathroom.

He threw up so hard in the empty bathroom that the sound echoed everywhere. His fingers turned pale as he gripped the toilet, retching until his throat was raw with bitterness. Only then did he slump to the floor, completely devastated.

Disgust coiled in his gut.

In the whole year of clearing rogues, he had swallowed every bit of pain and exhaustion, breaking it all down and forcing it deep inside. His body was covered in scars, but the worst, a 6-inch gash, ran right across his chest.

He had done everything to the best of his ability, returned home battered and crowned in honor, all so he could better serve at Eleni's side in Silvoron.

But tonight, what he witnessed had struck him like a silver dagger.

Dario pressed his hand hard against his chest, that old scar starting to ache again. He bent double, the pain almost too much to handle.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally forced himself upright, his silhouette stiff and unyielding. Holding onto the last shreds of his pride and stubbornness, he made his way back to his den.

*****

When Dario woke the next morning, he saw several messages from Eleni on his phone. He did not open them. He also had no intention of replying.

That afternoon, he entered the Elder Chamber to request border duty.

The Elder checked the roster. "Another territory has rogue activity. They requested assistance."

"You have the experience. Interested?" the Elder asked.

Dario took the file and saw that it was exactly where his favorite leader was based.

The pack was exactly where his favorite leader was.

He shut his eyes tightly, and when he opened them again, his gaze had cleared. When he opened them again, his gaze had cleared.

He gripped the file tightly.

"Sure, I'd like to go to Mistport," he said.

"Alright. I will seal your transfer and reach out to their alpha," the Elder replied.

*****

As Dario walked out, he met Eleni entering the Elder Chamber

Her omega tagalong was right behind her.

When Eleni saw Dario, she rushed over, looking a little anxious.

"Why didn't you answer my calls?" she asked.

Dario kept his expression neutral. "My phone was on silent mode. I didn't hear it."

Eleni exhaled, relieved, giving him that indulgent look she always had. "Next time, send word when you get home."

Dario looked at her face, and the memory of last night struck him again.

'Does it even matter whether I made it home? Did she even care about my safety at that moment?' he thought.

Pain pricked his heart. He turned away.

But Rory blocked his path.

Shorter than Dario, he stammered, "H-Hi, Dario. I am Rory, the pack healer. N-Nice to meet you."

Dario was stunned for a moment and then looked at Eleni.

If he stayed in Silvoron, he might assume her role as Alpha, and Eleni would descend to the vacant Beta position.

But this was known only to them. Until the Elder Council announced it, no other wolf knew.

Eleni was caught off guard. She shot Rory a cold glance. "Did I permit you to speak?"

Yet she moved instinctively to shield Rory, as if Dario were feral.

Rory's eyes reddened right away. He shrank behind Eleni. "I apologize, Dario. Alpha commanded my silence, but I forgot."

Dario frowned. "Omegas should always comply with the Alpha's order, didn't you know?"

'As if you didn't do it on purpose,' he thought.

Rory looked up, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I am sorry. Please do not be angry. I was wrong. I will submit myself for exile."

Dario was taken aback, but before he could speak, Eleni cut in, her voice deep.

"Dario, enough. It is not so grave. Do you have to be so serious?" she asked.

Dario's eyes widened. He laughed bitterly.

"I was telling the fa—" he protested.

"Enough!" Eleni interrupted. "Do not intimidate Rory. He lacks your courage, but he prepared a welcome home party for you tonight."

Dario drew in a deep breath and turned her down. "I'm not going."

Eleni's expression turned cold. "Dario, do not dismiss your packmate's goodwill."

"Packmate? I never spoke of remaining forever in Silvoron," Dario replied.

Eleni gave a helpless laugh. "Enough with this temper. If you do not stay with me in Silvoron, where else would you go?"

Dario smirked. "Why are you so certain I will—"

But before he could finish, a startled yelp from behind interrupted him.

Rory clutched his chest. "Alpha, my wound burns."

Eleni quickly went to steady him, asking softly as they walked, "Is the old scar acting up?"

Rory draped his arm over her shoulder. Through his thick lenses, he gave Dario a stare of challenge.

Dario pushed down the sourness in his chest and stared back, expressionless.

He thought, 'Eleni, you are wrong.

'I'm not going to stay by your side forever.'