Chapter 1

In the fourth year of our arranged marriage, Nathaniel still loved that fragile human, Sophia, his fated mate.

Even though I was his wife now, it didn't matter.

After Sophia got injured, he even wanted to drain half his blood for her.

Alpha blood had strong healing powers. It could prevent scars from forming on her wounds.

Sophia shattered the keepsake my grandmother left me.

Yet he grabbed me by the throat and forced me to apologize to Sophia.

To make him happy, I chose to break the mate bond and leave on my own.

Two months later, he found me in Paris and begged me to come back to him.

But he didn't know. I had found my fated mate.

Amelia Johnson POV

On the phone, Moore, my father's beta, had a calm and professional voice.

"Amelia, Alpha Silas has carefully considered your proposal. He admits that Nathaniel has done far too much for that human, things a qualified alpha heir shouldn't do. Therefore, the cooperation with Moonclaw Pack can be terminated. You can leave Moonclaw Pack after that ridiculous marriage contract expires and go anywhere you want."

His voice paused, taking on a hint of amusement.

"If the money isn't enough, you'll have to talk to your father yourself."

"Thank you for your help, Moore."

I hung up and looked at the enormous photo hanging in the center of the living room wall.

In the picture, I wore a formal dress, standing beside Nathaniel.

That was the only time in my life I dared to stand so brazenly close to Nathaniel.

Yet his expression was so cold.

Love or the lack of it needed no words. It hung there, naked and obvious.

"It's finally going to end."

I sighed.

Four years ago, my father sent me to Moonclaw Pack for an arranged marriage when I was twenty-two and still hadn't found my fated mate.

After arriving, I learned that Nathaniel had already found his fated mate.

It's just that his fated mate was human, a human that Nathaniel's father, Alpha William, refused to accept.

So Alpha William ordered him to give up that human and be with me.

On my wedding night, there was no tenderness, only Nathaniel's cold, cutting words and a ridiculous marriage contract.

"Amelia, remember your place. This is just an arranged marriage between us. And this arrangement only lasts four years. During these four years, do what you're supposed to do and don't fantasize about anything that doesn't belong to you. After four years, give up your position to its rightful owner."

Back then, I naively thought that four years would be enough to warm a block of ice.

I thought we could become mates who loved each other.

But four years passed, and I finally understood: some ice would never melt for me.

A soft sound at the door interrupted my thoughts.

Nathaniel was home.

His tall figure brought a sharp chill as he stepped inside. I took a deep breath and went to meet him.

I took his coat and hung it up.

I knelt down in front of him, opened the shoe cabinet, and took out a pair of soft house slippers.

I had practiced this routine for four years.

Nathaniel had long grown accustomed to it all. He loosened his tie and tossed it carelessly on the shoe cabinet:

"Next month is the pack's full moon festival. Don't forget to attend."

My movements as I changed his shoes froze for a moment.

I shook my head gently:

"I'll probably be busy that day. I won't go."

After that day, I would no longer be Nathaniel's mate.

But I couldn't bring myself to say those words.

Hearing this, Nathaniel's brows furrowed immediately.

"What are you throwing a tantrum about now?"

His voice was full of impatience.

"Because I've been spending more time with Sophia lately? Amelia, I warned you on the first day of our marriage. Don't fantasize about things that don't belong to you. And put away that pathetic victim act. It only disgusts me."

I was simply preparing to disappear completely from his world after the contract expired, to never be an eyesore again.

Yet he thought I was protesting his kindness toward Sophia in this way.

I opened my mouth but ultimately said nothing.

Nathaniel's phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression instantly softened. A tenderness he had never shown me.

Sophia's crying came through the receiver. Nathaniel asked nervously and gently:

"Sophia? What's wrong? Don't cry, take your time."

Sophia on the other end seemed to be saying something intermittently.

Nathaniel kept comforting her:

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. Where are you now? Okay, I'll be right there!"

He hung up and didn't even glance at me still kneeling on the floor. He grabbed his car keys and rushed outside.

He moved so urgently that his shoulder slammed hard into me.

I was already off-balance, and this powerful impact sent my body stumbling backward uncontrollably.

My forehead struck hard against the sharp corner of the door frame. Searing pain exploded from my temple, and stars burst before my eyes.

But Nathaniel's figure had already disappeared outside the door. He rushed into the cold night without even a backward glance.

The huge house instantly fell silent.

I supported myself against the wall and slowly stood up. The pain at my temple made me dizzy.

I walked to the mirror in the entryway and looked at the pale-faced woman in the reflection.

I wore a blue floral dress, looking docile and harmless.

But I wasn't always like this.

I was my father's favorite child, inheriting his combat talents. I could shift at sixteen and beat down those guys who drooled after me.

I never imagined becoming someone's mate, bearing his children, managing a household.

For four years, I had disguised myself as a weak, unthreatening woman.

All to win Nathaniel's love.

It was laughable, but I had to do it to maintain the alliance between our packs.

I was an alpha's daughter. This was my duty.

At least it would all end soon.

It wasn't until late at night that my phone rang.

It was Nathaniel.

I answered.

His voice came through, completely flat:

"Come to the hospital."

I instinctively asked:

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

"Come and you'll see."

The call was mercilessly disconnected, leaving only the cold dial tone.

Without thinking, I grabbed a coat and rushed out.

The night wind was freezing. I drove at top speed all the way.

What could have happened?

Was it an accident with Sophia? Or was it him?

I arrived at the hospital as fast as I could.

From a distance, I immediately saw Nathaniel in the hospital room, holding the crying Sophia and comforting her.

They were embracing tightly. The scene felt so ironic, as if I, who had rushed here, was the third party.