Chapter 2

"Mia, how long are you going to play this hard-to-get game?"

David kicked my suitcase over, his eyes full of impatience.

"Canceling your flight and changing your destination—you think switching up your travel plans will make me bow down to you?"

I stopped and looked at his self-righteous face.

"I told you, I'm going home."

"Your home is right here."

"No, it's not." I looked at him. "Let go."

He hadn't expected me to look at him this way.

No more of my usual resignation. No hysterical accusations. Just cold indifference, like I was looking at garbage.

He seemed momentarily flustered, but his Alpha pride quickly covered it up.

He sneered and yanked my passport out of my bag.

"You're an orphan. Besides here, what home could you possibly go back to?"

I stared at my empty palm. I didn't scream or try to grab it back.

"Give me my passport."

"When you learn to be reasonable, I'll give it to you naturally."

He casually tossed the passport into the top drawer of the entryway cabinet and deliberately locked it.

"I brought Grace to the pack banquet today because her brother can help Moonridge Pack secure the northern hunting territory."

"You're just a bartender who mixes drinks all day. Besides making cocktails, what can you do for me?"

"I'm just playing along for the pack's future. My feelings for you haven't changed at all. Why do you have to make a scene at a time like this?"

I looked at the man I'd loved for seven years and suddenly found his face utterly repulsive.

Playing along? So you brought another woman before your pack members and let her act like the future Luna?

"David, do you think I have no temper? That you can trample on me however you like?"

David frowned, as if he found me unreasonable.

"That alcohol smell on you gives my mom a headache. I told you not to come to protect you from being wronged."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Grace stood outside in a haute couture dress, smiling brightly.

"David, is Mia mad at me?"

She walked in and naturally linked her arm through David's.

"I just thought this apartment's terrace had a great view and wanted to borrow it for a birthday party. Why is Mia threatening to run away from home?"

I watched them coldly.

This downtown penthouse—I had bought it outright with my own pocket money back then. David's name wasn't even on the deed.

Every piece of furniture, every plant inside—I had arranged them all myself.

Now, without even asking me, he had directly agreed to lend my house to his mistress for a party?

At this moment, the live comments scrolled across my vision:

[This guy is unbelievable—using his girlfriend's house for his mistress's party?]

[And he complains about a bartender smelling bad, but his heart stinks worse.]

[Mia, stop holding back. Just crush him with money. The Alpha King's daughter shouldn't take this abuse.]

"She's just petty and hasn't seen the world."

David patted Grace's hand, his tone gentle.

"It's just an apartment. You're the pack's honored guest. Use it however you want."

He turned to look at me, his gaze instantly turning cold.

"Mia, Grace's brother is an Alpha, backed by the powerful Pine Valley Pack. She's doing you a favor by using your house."

"Be generous. Don't make me think you're unreasonable."

I stared at their intertwined arms.

"Fine. Lend her the house."

My tone was calm.

David paused, seemingly surprised by my compliance.

"At least you know what's good for you."

"But if anything gets damaged, she pays for it." I stared hard at Grace.

Grace covered her mouth and laughed.

"Mia, you're so funny. These little things? I couldn't care less about them."

"Good."

I turned to grab my spare bag, preparing to leave.

"What are you doing now?"

David strode over and blocked my path.

"Since you're borrowing the house for the party, I'll be an eyesore staying here. I'm going to a hotel."

"Mia, I'm warning you. Enough is enough."

He lowered his voice, his tone condescending.

"I pushed back a pack meeting tonight to come home and keep you company. Don't be ungrateful."

I walked around him, heading straight for the door.

"If you walk out that door today, you'll never set foot in Moonridge Pack territory again."

"Perfect."