Chapter 2

"Your mother was ambushed by rogues on patrol a few days ago. Silver poisoning. It's bad."

My father's voice sounded eerily calm, as if he were discussing a grocery run. "The Healer said she needs complete rest. Any emotional shock will mess with the detox."

"Emily, I know you two have your own issues, but the family needs peace right now. You know your mother's temper..."

The rest of his words faded into static.

I didn't even notice when the rain started falling.

By the time I came back to my senses, my hair was plastered to my cheeks, cold water dripping from my chin.

"Emily!"

An umbrella snapped open over my head.

James stood in the downpour, his dress shirt soaked through. He grabbed my wrist tightly, his fingers trembling.

"Get in the car. Whatever it is, we'll talk at home."

"That Instagram post... I let it happen because I was mad at you."

"I never wanted to end things with us. I swear."

He tossed my suitcase into the trunk and yanked open the passenger door.

"I'll deal with the mate bond with Jessica. Just give me some time, okay?"

"Your dad told me about your mom. I know the best Healer in the northern packs. I'll call him tomorrow."

I sat in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead.

A faint, unfamiliar floral perfume lingered in the vents. On the collar of his shirt remained the lingering trace of Jessica's scent.

I tilted my head, watching the wipers sweep back and forth across the windshield.

He kept talking, but I tuned it out.

The rain grew heavier. Outside, the neon city lights smeared through the storm, blurring red, green, and yellow into a dull haze.

I stayed at the clinic by my mother's side for two weeks.

James never complained once. He took care of everything. He brought in the specialist, reviewed the herbal detox formulas, and even secured a private, sunlit recovery room. He understood my mother's vitals better than I did.

At night, he sat with me on the hallway bench. When exhaustion hit, he rested his head against the wall, his brow furrowed in his sleep, but his hand never letting go of mine.

When my mother had good days, she held his hand. "James, Emily is stubborn. Be patient with her."

He smiled warmly, tucking the blanket around her. "Mrs. Clark, I'm the lucky one."

My mother looked over at me, relief shining in her eyes.

I gave a tight nod. But the stone in my chest only grew heavier with every passing day.

One afternoon, pack duties called him away.

I carried a thermal flask of soup down the corridor toward the recovery room. Pushing the door open, I stopped dead in my tracks.

A stranger sat by my mother's bed.

The caregiver had been swapped out.

She wore a pale blue nursing uniform, peeling a detox berry with her head lowered. The Crimson Pack Alpha's daughter—I had seen her face on James's phone.

Sunlight filtered through the blinds. She glanced up and smiled gently at my mother.

"My mate... he's not a bad man," she said softly. "He's just too soft-hearted. Some she-wolf outside keeps clinging to him, and he claims he's afraid of breaking her heart, so he won't cut her off."

My mother sighed from the bed. "Must be hard on you."

Jessica handed her the peeled fruit. "It is. Whenever my chest feels tight, I volunteer at the clinic to clear my head."

My mother's voice turned sour. "If you ask me, those shameless women who try to steal another wolf's mate have no decency at all."

I stood frozen in the doorway, the thermal flask suddenly weighing a ton.

My mother waved at me. "Emily, you're here?"

"This young woman is so sweet, but her life has been tough. You wouldn't believe what her mate put her through..."

"Mom, I brought oatmeal." I set the flask on the nightstand, then turned to the woman in blue. "Can we talk outside?"