Chapter 2

“I don’t want it,” I said softly, pushing the necklace away. “I’m not feeling well.”

Every moment I spent beside him seemed to make the ache in my chest worse. Daemon immediately noticed my withdrawal and frowned as he stepped closer.

“What do you mean you’re not feeling well?” he asked, concern slipping into his voice. “Did something happen? Rhea, please look at me.”

I kept my eyes down.

“I’ll call the doctors,” he said, already turning toward the door. “You shouldn’t ignore this. You’ve been weak ever since**”

He stopped before finishing the sentence, but I knew exactly what he meant.

Ever since we lost our daughter.

“Ned!” Daemon called sharply.

His Beta appeared almost immediately.

“Bring the best pack doctors here. I want them to examine her now. And bring the supplements I prescribed for her.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Within minutes, the entire house was in motion. The doctors examined me thoroughly, checked my condition, and assured Daemon that there was nothing seriously wrong. He refused to accept it so easily, however. He kept asking questions and watching me as though I might vanish the moment he looked away.

Later, he personally brought me a glass of warm milk and placed it in my hands.

“Please drink some,” he said quietly. “You need to regain your strength.”

I had no desire to drink it, but I forced myself to finish it anyway.

That night, exhaustion finally dragged me into sleep. My body was too drained to resist any longer.

Sometime after midnight, I woke with my throat painfully dry. The room was silent, and I slowly slipped out of bed, intending only to get some water.

As I walked through the hallway, I noticed the door across from our room standing slightly open.

Moonlight spilled through the gap.

I stopped.

Inside, two figures were tangled together on the bed.

Then Yvette's voice reached me.

“The necklace you gave Rhea must be incredibly expensive, right?” she asked. There was a hint of resentment beneath her sweetness. “I asked you for something like that before, remember? You ignored me, yet she barely has to say anything before you give her something so valuable.”

I remained frozen outside the door.

After a moment, I heard Daemon shift.

“I've already told you that this isn't the right time,” he replied as he lit a cigarette. “Rhea and I will separate eventually. I do care about her, but for now, we have to keep this between us. If she finds out, everything will become complicated.”

Complicated.

That was what I had become to him.

A problem he needed to deal with.

Yvette moved closer to him. “I know. I just can't help being jealous. I love you too much, Daemon.”

There was a brief silence before I heard a drawer slide open.

“You're such a handful,” Daemon murmured.

Something was placed into his hand.

“Here. Don't look so upset. I bought something for you too.”

My stomach tightened.

It was another necklace, almost identical to mine, except the stone in hers was different.

“Wear it when you're by yourself,” he continued. “Whatever you do, don't let Rhea see it. If she finds out about us, everything is over.”

I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

Yvette sounded delighted. “You really bought one for me too? Thank you, Daemon. I love it. And I love you.”

A moment later, she asked in a softer voice, “Why are you so worried about Rhea leaving you?”

The room fell quiet.

Then Daemon answered without hesitation.

“I'm not worried about that. I have you, don't I? Besides, my grandmother favors Rhea. Once I become Alpha and inherit everything, I'll deal with her. I'll reject her and make you my Luna.”

My knees nearly gave way.

So that was what I was to him.

Something temporary.

Someone he would discard once he had everything he wanted.

I pressed my palm against the wall to steady myself as the sounds from inside continued. My eyes drifted toward the wedding photograph hanging across the hallway.

In that picture, Daemon was smiling at me with such tenderness, his arms around me as though I were the only woman in his world.

I stared at that younger version of us until my vision became blurry.

“Thirteen days,” I whispered.

My voice trembled, but I forced myself to smile.

“Just thirteen more days, Daemon. After that, I'll be gone. Then we'll see what your life looks like without me.”

**

I eventually stepped outside, needing air.

The morning was cold and quiet, but the peace didn't last long.

A child's frightened voice suddenly broke through the silence.

“Why doesn't Mama sleep in your room anymore? Did you choose another she-wolf? Is that why?”

I stopped walking.

Near a small house along the path, a man stood rigidly with his back toward the entrance. Before he could answer, a woman stepped outside, straightening her clothes while keeping one hand on his shirt as though she had every right to be there.

“No!” the boy cried. “That's Mama's place!”

The man finally turned toward him.

“This has nothing to do with you. Go inside.”

“But I'm your son!” the boy shouted, tears filling his eyes. “How can you say it doesn't concern me?”

Before the man could respond, another woman approached.

“Because your father is a coward.”

The man's real mate stood a few steps away. Her eyes were red from crying, but she held herself upright as she walked toward the mistress.

“You couldn't even wait until he explained things to his own son?” she demanded.

The other woman lifted her chin. “Watch how you speak to me.”

The mate slapped her before anyone could intervene.

“You come into my home, take my place, touch my mate, and then tell me how I should speak?” she shouted, her voice breaking with anger.

The man grabbed her wrist.

“Enough!”

She tore herself away. “Don't touch me!”

The child began sobbing.

“Mama, please stop**”

Neither adult seemed to hear him.

“You told me she meant nothing!” the mate screamed at her partner. “You promised there was nothing between you!”

“There isn't!” he shouted back. “You're the one making this into a spectacle!”

“A spectacle?” She laughed bitterly. “You bring another woman into our home, and somehow I'm the problem?”

The mistress stepped forward again.

“If you couldn't keep your mate interested, that's your own fault.”

Another slap landed across her face.

Then a warm hand suddenly covered my ear from behind.

I went completely still.

“Don't listen to them, Rhea,” Daemon whispered beside me.

I couldn't bring myself to turn around.

“Daemon,” I said quietly, forcing my voice to remain steady, “do all men eventually betray their mates?”

He was silent for a moment before gently turning me toward him.

His eyes met mine, calm and sincere.

“I can't speak for every man,” he said. “But I can speak for myself. I would never betray you. You're the only woman I want, Rhea.”

The only one.

The words nearly made me laugh.

“How long is forever?” I asked. “You really think you'll love me for your entire life?”

He pulled me against his chest without hesitation.

“Forever is a long time,” he murmured against my hair. “That's exactly why I want to spend every bit of it with you. There isn't anyone else I want beside me.”

A faint laugh escaped me, though it sounded nothing like happiness.

“What if you betray me someday?”

He answered immediately.

“If I ever betray you, may the Moon Goddess punish me where I stand.”

My fingers curled at my sides.

Because I already knew he was lying.

His scent still carried traces of another woman. It was faint, but I could recognize it now. Every time he returned to me, he could still hold me, speak gently, and pretend I was his entire world.

“How can you say that so easily?” I whispered. “What if the Moon Goddess actually hears you?”

Daemon held my gaze.

“No one knows how deeply I love you, Rhea. If my words aren't enough, I'll prove it. I'd willingly give my life for you.”

I lowered my eyes, swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat.

If you're willing to give me your life, Daemon** then why can't you simply stop hurting me?