Chapter 2

Vivian carries the twins toward the bedroom by their scruffs.

Her nails dig into their skin, and their little bodies shake.

I move after her, but Mason blocks me with his arm.

"They're pups, Ella. They need to toughen up. Stop making a scene."

I can only follow as Vivian kicks open the bedroom door.

Her eyes land on the unmade bed, and her face hardens.

"What is this? Are you trying to show me how good you are in bed?"

Mason turns on me.

"Change the sheets."

While I strip the bed, Vivian sets the twins on the floor and settles against the headboard.

"I know your type, Ella. I've met plenty of women who think getting a man into bed makes them special. Still, I'll give you credit. You certainly kept Mason busy."

She tilts her head, smiling.

"You should teach a class. Show the other she-wolves how to keep a man satisfied. You'd make a fortune."

Mason lets her talk.

He doesn't defend me. Doesn't tell her to stop.

He doesn't even look back.

My chest hurts so badly I can barely breathe, let alone speak.

Then Vivian notices the wedding ring on the nightstand.

Mason made it himself. When he gave it to me, he said he wanted every male who saw me to know I was taken.

I remember him slipping it onto my finger, his arm tight around my waist as he kissed my ear.

"You're mine, Ella. For the rest of our lives."

Vivian picks up the ring.

"Why is this still here?"

Mason looks at it, and for a second his expression changes.

Then it's gone.

He takes the ring from her and closes his fist around it.

The setting snaps.

He tosses the broken ring and loose stones into the fireplace.

"I'll get rid of the trash. You shouldn't have to look at it."

He bends to soothe her, his voice unbearably gentle.

I stare at what's left of my ring among the burning logs.

I'm suddenly so cold.

Something he once gave me as a promise is trash now.

Once Vivian is smiling again, Mason glances at me.

He seems to be waiting for tears. For me to beg him to take it back.

I keep folding the blanket.

"She-wolves are territorial. She didn't mean anything by it."

I nod without answering.

He watches me for another moment, frowning.

Maybe I'm not crying enough for him.

Under his stare, I finish gathering my things and carry the keepsakes I no longer want to the trash can.

He follows and catches my wrist.

"You're throwing those away?"

I ease my hand out of his grip.

"There's no reason to keep things that don't matter."

Vivian's gaze drops to my throat.

"Oh, you're still wearing that?"

She points at my pendant.

"Saving it for when you sneak back into his bed?"

Mason carved it from a fang he'd shed when he reached adulthood.

He told me he wanted me wearing something of his wherever I went.

Vivian reaches for the pendant, and I step back before she can grab it.

Her smile vanishes.

The twins have been huddled in the corner. When she reaches for me again, they scramble toward us, little teeth bared.

They catch her skirt and pull.

Mason snatches them up.

"Let go!"

They struggle, refusing to release the fabric.

He hesitates for a fraction of a second.

Then Vivian cries out, and he throws them down.

They land near the steps outside the bedroom. My son lets out a broken little sound and starts dragging himself toward me.

Mason stares at his own hand.

His mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

At last, he turns away.

"Control your pups. Keep them away from Vivian."

I scoop them into my arms.

"Come on, babies. We're leaving."

The moment I step through the front door, Mason's voice rises behind me.

"Ella! Don't you dare leave!"