Chapter 2

It wasn't until I sat in his black SUV that he finally explained in a low voice: "Don't listen to their nonsense. I was just following protocol. Vivian is the performer I hired for the music festival. Of course I had to take care of her when she got injured."

I murmured a soft "Mm" and said nothing more.

Ronan suddenly erupted in anger: "You don't believe me? Are you still holding a grudge?"

"Nyla... I came to the hospital for you. What more do you want?"

I looked out the window, didn't even turn my head.

"I just didn't think it was serious enough to disturb you. Let's go home."

That phrase again, like an automated response, so dismissive.

Ronan slammed his fist on the steering wheel.

The harsh honk shattered the silence, startling the music academy faculty and students across the street who had just finished performing at the music festival.

One of the girls looked up.

The moment moonlight fell on her face, the air in the car froze solid.

Ronan couldn't help but speak:

"Vivian... what's she doing here?"

Ronan instinctively looked at me. After all, every time I'd seen her before, I'd lost control emotionally.

But I only glanced over indifferently, then withdrew my gaze without a ripple.

Ronan gripped the steering wheel tight, but his eyes drifted toward her.

In the deep winter night, the girl wore only a thin performance outfit, hugging her arms, her nose tip red from cold.

His hand was already on the door handle, concern practically spilling from his eyes.

I understood perfectly. I pushed open the door and got out, even giving him an excuse: "If you need to patrol the territory, I can walk home myself."

Before he could respond, I'd already turned and headed for the intersection.

Ronan caught up and grabbed my wrist: "I didn't know she'd be here. Why won't you believe me?"

I nodded. "I believe you. She's just a girl on her own, it's not easy. Even if things ended, it's normal to show concern. I understand."

Ronan stared at my face. No expression, didn't seem like sulking.

He felt something was very wrong.

Before, I'd had such a strong need to share and possess him. Even finding a single long hair on his shirt would make me interrogate him until midnight.

Now I was truly as he'd wished—no fights, no fuss, understanding and considerate.

Yet his heart felt stuffed with soaking wet cotton, so stifling he couldn't breathe.

I pulled my hand back and turned to leave.

When I reached the corner, I stopped and looked back.

By the SUV, Ronan had already removed his coat and draped it over Vivian's shoulders.

He cupped her face and lowered his head to kiss her deeply.

My body and soul felt inevitable pain, but I wasn't surprised by this scene at all. I should have expected it long ago.

And I would never again be like the first time I discovered his affair, questioning him like a madwoman: "Ronan! Have you no shame? I've been with you since I was eighteen. When we got married you said you'd love and cherish me forever, and now you're telling me you fell in love with someone else?"

Back then he'd laughed coldly after I drew blood: "You want to talk about shame? If you had any shame, would you have had sex with me the second time we met when you were eighteen? You're an orphan with no parents. I'm the one who brought you out of the orphanage. You should be grateful to me!"

Those words were like a poisoned blade, stabbing our years of sharing hardship together to pieces.

My phone vibrated, pulling me from the memory.

"Luna Nyla, we've confirmed your deceased biological parents were the former Alpha and former Luna of Ashclaw Pack. When would you have time to visit Ashclaw Pack? Your uncle, Ashclaw Pack Alpha Dean, very much wants to see you."

I pulled down my sleeve, covering the scar on my wrist: "Once I sever the mate bond with Ronan, I'll leave here and go to Ashclaw Pack."

The person on the other end paused: "You and Alpha Ronan have been through so much together all these years. You don't necessarily have to leave Pathseekers Pack."

I answered calmly: "I don't love him anymore. I just want to leave here forever."