I returned to my apartment in the city.

I slipped out of the gown, scrubbed off my makeup, and soaked in a long, hot bath.

It wasn't until I was lying on the sofa with a face mask on that I noticed my communication crystal was blowing up.

Every werewolf I knew was asking where I was.

Rhys sent several commands through our mind-link.

He threatened that if I didn't show up, he would officially sever our mate bond.

Without hesitation, I sent back a single word: "Fine."

The next second, his link request exploded in my mind.

The moment I connected, his roar felt like it would shatter my skull.

"Aveline Shaw, have I been too easy on you? If you're not at the ceremony in half an hour, we are done. For good!"

The apartment's small cleaning bot glided past, and I couldn't be bothered to argue with him.

"We were done two hours ago."

With that, I severed the link.

Before long, Rhys was at my apartment door with Cassia in tow. Most of the real estate in this city belonged to the Valerius pack; it was no surprise he'd found me so quickly.

When he saw me—makeup-free, wrapped in a bathrobe with my hair still dripping wet—his entire expression twisted in fury.

"Aveline! The reception is about to start! Are you planning to go dressed like that?"

I looked at him incredulously.

"Didn't I make it clear I was leaving this to you two? I don't need to be there."

He gasped, a vein throbbing in his forehead.

"So you're really calling it off?"

Cassia's voice was laced with feigned grievance, but she couldn't hide the thrill beneath it.

"Aveline, today is your bonding ceremony. The elders are all here. How can you throw a tantrum like this? You'll embarrass Rhys."

I gave her a cold stare.

"Then why don't you take my place? Changing a name on the bonding certificate is simple enough."

She covered her face and started to cry, muttering over and over that it was all her fault.

Rhys’s brows furrowed in distress.

He opened his mouth to scold me, but his communication crystal rang.

It was probably the pack elders, urging him to return. He answered quickly, then reined in his anger, trying his best to sound persuasive.

"Look, I was wrong to kiss her this morning, alright? I apologize. Once we complete the bonding ceremony, I promise I'll make it up to you."

"Haven't you always wanted the pack's heirloom, the 'Wolf's Heart' gem? Once the ceremony is over, I'll give it to you."

Oh, so he did remember what I wanted. And he still chose to humiliate me.

I should have realized long ago. They were the real couple.

Seeing my silence, he leaned in to kiss me.

"You're just jealous I kissed Cassia, aren't you? Fine. I'll make it up to you now. An Alpha's kiss makes everything better, doesn't it?"

The warm, cloying scent of another woman, thick with his possessiveness, disgusted me. My entire body recoiled.

But he paid no mind, using his Alpha strength to hold me in place.

The taste of blood filled my mouth. My inner wolf howled in protest, and a surge of power erupted from within me, violently shoving him away.

Then I slapped him, hard, across the face.

"You're disgusting!" I shuddered, trembling from head to toe.

Tears I could no longer hold back welled in my eyes.

Stunned by my unexpected strength and choked cry, a look of pure shock crossed his face.

"You think I'm disgusting?"

I wiped my mouth forcefully, letting the action be my answer.

"You put your mouth on someone else and then try to kiss me? How is that not disgusting?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cassia brazenly showing off a new mark on her arm.

"Rhys, your totem is gorgeous. It looks perfect on me, don't you think?"

I saw it clearly then—a flicker of attraction in Rhys's eyes.

That mate totem, the one that should have been mine, was now encircled by a ring of thorn runes that represented Cassia.

An Alpha’s mate totem is a sacred mark, a manifestation of their power connecting with their fated one. It's supposed to be pure, unique.

To add another’s mark to it was the ultimate betrayal of a mate.

Even more disgusting.

How could that totem have been imprinted on her without Rhys's permission?

Was the bonding ceremony always meant for her?

My stomach churned. I hated myself for being so blind.

I looked at their "merged" totem in the mirror's reflection and began to clap slowly.

"A tainted totem does suit a disgusting werewolf."

Cassia started, her eyes turning red.

"Aveline, I wasn't trying to steal it from you. Rhys gave me this protection mark himself."

Rhys's gaze never left her.

I grabbed my clothes and headed for the door.

"I'll leave you two to celebrate your new bond."

"Cassia, let's go! I'll announce to the pack today that you are the mate I choose!"

Rhys gripped Cassia's arm, shoving me aside. The force of the push sent me stumbling to the floor.

He didn't even look back.

So, of course, he didn't see Cassia's triumphant smile.