Chapter 2

After the gathering broke up, Damien drove me home.

He didn't bring up what had happened. Not once the entire ride.

When we got to my building, he pulled a brown paper envelope from the car.

"Oh, by the way—I had someone draft a pre-bonding agreement. Take a look."

He flipped to the page where I needed to sign.

"Look it over. If everything's fine, go ahead and sign."

I scanned down.

One line still jumped off the page.

[Both parties voluntarily agree to have no pups. After the bonding, neither party shall bear nor adopt any heirs.]

I stared at the pen. I didn't take it.

Damien tucked the envelope into my arms.

"Take it home and read through it. You can sign tomorrow."

He'd barely finished speaking when his phone rang. Elena's voice came through.

"Damien, my stomach's feeling kind of off."

Damien immediately reached over and opened my door.

"Get out. I need to go check on her."

I sat there without moving.

When I didn't speak, he frowned slightly and softened his tone.

"She just conceived. Her wolf energy isn't stable yet—this is the most dangerous stage. Don't pick now to throw a tantrum."

I took a deep breath, eyes stinging, and got out of the car.

The car pulled away almost instantly.

He left without looking back.

I stood there clutching that agreement, watching his taillights disappear, feeling nothing but a numb ache spreading through my chest.

The next afternoon, trying to shake the heaviness sitting at the bottom of my heart, I went to an Italian restaurant in Manhattan.

The moment I walked in, I spotted the former Luna sitting by the window—with Elena.

"Mom, I really can't eat another bite."

I stopped in my tracks.

Elena was calling Damien's mother Mom.

The former Luna—Mrs. Blackthorn—noticed me and a flicker of discomfort crossed her face.

"Serena, what are you doing here?"

Elena caught on too and smiled.

"Don't mind it, Serena. Mrs. Blackthorn insisted that since Damien and I are already marked, I should address her properly—pack tradition."

Mrs. Blackthorn pulled a black-and-gold card from her bag and handed it to Elena.

"Here. A hundred thousand dollars. By Blackthorn family custom, it's the welcome gift for the Luna."

On our engagement day, Mrs. Blackthorn had held my hand and said:

"Once you and Damien register at the Moon Court, I'll give you ten thousand dollars—a gift for the heir's mate."

I'd smiled and said that sounded lovely.

Now that gift had gone to Elena instead.

Ten times what she'd promised me.

Mrs. Blackthorn noticed me staring at the card and her tone cooled.

"Elena is Damien's registered mate now. Certain courtesies must be observed."

"You haven't registered at the Moon Court yet, so we'll hold off on yours."

Elena snorted a laugh.

"Serena, you're not going to fight me over a welcome gift, are you?"

Damien walked in right at that moment.

"It's a hundred thousand dollars. Don't make this embarrassing."

I stood there quietly, eyes burning red.

I didn't end up eating that meal. I couldn't stomach a single bite.

I turned to leave, but Mrs. Blackthorn called out from behind me.

"Oh, one more thing—I'll be having Elena move into your Moon Nest for the next few months."