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.