Chapter 2

Ronan did not appear at the council hall the next day.

I waited for him for two hours.

I called him repeatedly, but he never answered.

At eleven thirty, he finally sent a message.

[Selene is presenting her project today. I can’t leave.]

Another message appeared immediately afterward.

[If you truly want to dissolve the bond, file a petition with the Werewolf Tribunal.]

I stood outside the council hall with my appointment number still in my hand.

The winter wind swept up the stone steps, stinging my eyes.

I did not reply. I went straight to the medical center.

The physician told me my mother’s condition was critical.

Because yesterday’s bill had not been paid in time, several expensive healing medications had been suspended, leaving them no choice but to continue with the basic treatment plan.

“Her family should settle the balance as soon as possible.”

“The longer this goes on, the weaker her wolf spirit will become, and the greater the risk.”

I quietly said I understood.

I listed the studio apartment I had bought before the mating for sale and dropped the price almost as low as it could go so it would sell quickly.

The real-estate agent fell silent for several seconds after hearing my price.

“Ms. Hart, this is far below market value.”

“Can it sell today?”

“Yes, but are you absolutely sure?”

“I’m sure.”

After ending the call, I crouched in the stairwell of the medical center, my palms slick with cold sweat.

A social-media notification appeared on my communicator. Selene had posted an update.

In the photograph, she stood on the presentation stage in a white suit, the silver-moon emblem of Nightfall Pack pinned to her chest.

Ronan sat in the front row, his gaze fixed directly on her.

In his eyes was a patience I had not seen in a very long time.

Her caption read: [Starting my first company, and someone is already willing to catch me if I fall. So this is what it feels like to be chosen without hesitation.]

Someone commented: [I’m so jealous! Your Alpha spoils you!]

Selene replied: [Not at all. He only wanted to help because I’m here on my own.]

My fingertips trembled as I stared at the words.

That afternoon, Ronan came to the medical center.

He stood in the corridor in an immaculate black suit, holding a file.

“My assistant compiled a list of lenders.”

“You’re a Luna, after all. If you appeal to them, one of them might lend you enough to cover the immediate costs.”

“And stop talking about dissolving our mate bond whenever you’re angry. You are the fated mate the Moon Goddess chose for me.”

Yes. Even though I was his fated mate, he still would not spend a single dollar to save my mother.

How absurd.

I stared at the file without taking it.

He shoved it into my hands. “What you do about the money is your decision.”

Then he turned and left.

I looked down at the loan documents, tore them apart one page at a time, and dropped them into the trash.

A few minutes later, a nurse hurried toward me.

“Luna, Ms. Maeve’s blood pressure has suddenly dropped. The physician needs you to come sign the consent forms.”

My knees buckled, and I caught myself against the wall.

The pain in my lower abdomen returned, sharper than it had been the night before.

I was in terrible condition, and my pup was becoming increasingly unstable too.