Chapter 3

I expected him to feel ashamed, but instead, he became defensive and arrogant. "What's wrong with buying her a gift? Why are you so desperately jealous?"

"Clara, just because you see me talking to another woman doesn't mean something is going on."

"There is nothing between us. If there were, do you really think you'd still be standing here as my Luna?"

If I hadn't seen them holding hands inside the jewelry store with my own eyes, I might have believed him. He had always been so good at acting innocent.

A few members of our pack who happened to be nearby started whispering.

"The Alpha was nice enough to bring her out, and she's embarrassing him over a human?"

"So jealous. How is she fit to be our Luna?"

I took a deep breath. I wasn't going to fight him in the human territory.

But Damon took my silence as a victory. Hearing the pack members take his side, his chest puffed up.

He put on a grand show of generosity. "Fine, Clara. I know you're only acting out because you care about me."

"How about this? Apologize to Iris, and we'll go home. I'll let this slide."

He spoke as if he were granting me a royal pardon.

He always did this. He took my love for granted, pushing my boundaries over and over.

But he forgot that even a Luna's patience has limits.

In the past, I would have let it go to keep the peace. Not today.

Iris chimed in, her voice sweet and sickening. "Yes, Clara. Just a quick apology and we can all move on. I won't hold a grudge."

She looked at me, her eyes filled with triumph. As she reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear, my eyes caught on something shiny around her neck.

That necklace...

I stared at it, my voice trembling as I looked at Damon. "Is that... my necklace?"

That necklace was an heirloom left to me by my grandmother. It was blessed by the Moon Goddess, infused with silver and moonlight to protect the wearer.

Years ago, when Damon was gravely injured in an ambush by a rogue pack, I used my own blood to heal him. I gave him that necklace, praying the Goddess would keep him safe.

I had given him my heart, my blood, and my family's legacy.

And now, it was hanging around a human's neck.

Damon knew exactly what that necklace meant to me. He had promised me he would never take it off.

And yet...

Damon choked on his words, his face turning pale before he quickly recovered. "She's just a human, Clara. She didn't know any better. She said it looked pretty, so I let her borrow it."

"You're a strong wolf, you don't need protection. What's the big deal if she wears it for a couple of days?"

He avoided my eyes. "Surely you aren't going to throw a tantrum over a piece of jewelry?"

I didn't answer him. Instead, I asked, "What did you promise me, Damon?"

I watched the panic finally settle deep into his eyes. I pointed at the necklace around Iris's neck.

"We are done, Damon. I, Clara, reject you as my mate."

I turned my back on them and walked away.

I went back to the Packhouse alone. That night, Damon stormed into my bedroom. "I don't accept your rejection!" he roared, slamming the door as he left.

The next morning, I woke up early and took the pack pups to the mountains to play, just like I did every week.