Chapter 2

James POV

I received her reply while drinking at a bar with friends.

Looking at the simple "Okay" on my phone screen, I couldn't help but frown.

She was too calm.

Too calm for the Stella who would wait five hours in the snow just to see me.

"James, what are you looking at?"

A friend leaned over to check, then snorted with laughter.

"Yo, Stella replied? What's her angle? Giving up?"

Another friend analyzed:

"No way. You know this girl. She's got a scheming mind. She definitely heard everything!"

"Makes sense! She's probably playing innocent and obedient to make us lower our guard, then she'll pull something big at the ceremony!"

Everyone chattered away, quickly finding a reasonable explanation for Stella's behavior.

I set down my drink and smiled.

Of course.

I knew Stella wouldn't give up that easily.

Fine. I'd play along. I wanted to see what tricks she could pull.

I tossed my phone on the table and told everyone:

"Forget about her. Everything goes according to plan."

Everyone laughed knowingly.

Just then, the bar's private room door swung open. Brian walked in, his face stormy.

"James, get out here. We need to talk."

Brian's voice was seething with suppressed fury.

I leisurely poured myself another drink without looking at him.

"Talk about what? Your sister?"

"You know I'm not joking!"

"Neither am I."

I swirled my glass.

"Brian, control your sister. Stop letting her disgust me."

Brian's fists clenched instantly, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.

I didn't even bother looking at him again. I grabbed my jacket and stood up.

"I have plans with Grace. No time for this."

I walked right past Brian, deliberately slamming my shoulder into his.

Leaving Brian standing there alone, trembling with rage.

Brian POV

Today was the Pack's assembly day.

The Pack's adult members gathered in the Council Hall to hear the Alpha or the Alpha's son announce upcoming arrangements.

Stella had promised to come, but she still hadn't shown up.

I was worried, constantly glancing toward the Council Hall entrance.

The atmosphere among the wolves was lively.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door.

James had arrived.

He wore a leather jacket with Grace in a long dress beside him.

Grace gently held his arm.

The image immediately drew everyone's attention.

James POV

I ignored everyone's stares and walked straight toward a figure in the corner.

Stella had arrived at some point.

She wore worn jeans and a blue tank top, no makeup, quiet as an outsider.

She'd lost weight. Her chin was so sharp it tugged at something in my chest.

A strange feeling flashed through me, quickly replaced by disgust.

Playing these pathetic games again.

We walked over to her.

Grace spoke softly.

"Stella, I know you're hurting, but you can't force feelings. I've decided to become mates with James. You should let go."

Stella POV

James's friends immediately surrounded me, chiming in one after another.

"Exactly, Stella. You've been chasing him for two years. Haven't you faced reality yet?"

"It was one thing when he was single, but now he's decided to be with Grace. If you keep clinging, you're just embarrassing yourself."

"You need to know your place. Unless you're James's fated mate, you have no right to become the future Luna."

Apparently James hadn't told them that I was.

That damned fated mate.

And on the very day I discovered this fact, my mate rejected me.

Maybe he thought being connected to me was shameful. Or maybe he just didn't want people knowing he'd rejected his own fated mate.

Usually werewolves didn't do such things.

I didn't break down or cry like I used to.

I just looked up at them.

I looked at Grace with her smile, then at James's friends.

Finally, at James's cold face.

I smiled.

"Is that so?"

"Then I wish you both happiness."

With that, I turned and walked to a cushioned seat on the other side.

James's smile froze.

Grace looked stunned.

The surrounding friends exchanged glances. No one spoke again.