Chapter 2

I stood frozen, unable to breathe. Before I could speak, Barry’s voice cut through the silence.

“I know you’ve come about the marriage pact. If you agree to let Evelyn be my mate alongside you, I’ll withdraw the order.”

His words were casual, tossed out as if he were offering me a favor rather than tearing my world apart.

“Don’t worry—it’s only for show. If I marry her, she won’t be shamed by the pack. Once she finds her footing, I’ll give her money to leave with dignity.”

His gaze was soft, tender even, as though we were discussing something trivial—what to eat for supper, not the ruin of my future.

My voice trembled. “If that was all, why not tell me directly? Why force me with an order?”

“Would your father agree?” His smile vanished, his eyes sharpening with cold blame.

“If Evelyn stayed by my side as a servant, how could she survive in the pack? Emily, I know you. Just soothe your father… and give Evelyn half your inheritance. Then I’ll take back the order.”

I stared at him, lost in a haze of disbelief.

How could he say such things to me?

At that moment, every vow, every memory we shared shattered into pieces.

This was the Alpha who once swore, ‘You are the only one I will ever love.’

I wanted to laugh, but the tears blurred my vision. So, this is how easily hearts can change.

Pain gave way to a hollow numbness. My chest was strangely calm as I fixed my eyes on him.

Everything I had ever felt for him collapsed. Died.

Slowly, I reached for the bone pendant at my neck—the token of our bond. Its cool weight lay in my palm, my hand trembling as I held it out to him. My heart twisted sharply, because I knew what this meant: the end of us.

Barry hesitated. For a second, light sparked in my eyes. Against all reason, I hoped. Maybe he regretted it. Maybe he would choose me after all.

He reached for it.

But the moment his fingers brushed mine, he let go.

Crack—

The pendant hit the stone floor and split into jagged pieces.

I stared at the fragments, stunned.

Barry’s face was cold, his voice stripped of any warmth.

“Stop pretending. If you don’t want it, then throw it away.”

That pendant… He had nearly died for it. On the battle field, he had collapsed, unconscious for days, all to bring me back a rare bone stone.

When he woke, pale and weak, the first thing he did was press it into my hand.

“You deserve the best. I’d risk my life for you.”

I remembered how my chest ached at the sight of him, how carefully I had treasured that pendant ever since, terrified of the slightest damage.

And now, he crushed it with his own hands.

Perhaps he wanted to see me break. But instead, a strange calm washed over me. I even smiled faintly. My voice was distant, detached.

“Fine. It’s my fault. I was too stubborn.”

I turned to leave.

For a moment, I thought he might follow. But Evelyn clutched his arm.

“Emily’s upset… because of me, isn’t she?” Her eyes brimmed with tears, her voice pleading.

“If anyone should be blamed, it’s me. If not for me, she wouldn’t be suffering.”

Barry stilled, impatience flickering across his features.

“What’s there to fuss about? She’s only sulking. In a few days, she’ll come crawling back to me.”

And then, with chilling certainty, he added:

“If she doesn’t, then in seven days… she’ll marry that crippled warrior.”