“What, you escort your precious Jasmine to the island on my new yacht, but you want me to swim across the channel? Go on, ask any werewolf in North America who they think your real mate is.”

Aidan Amberwood paused for a moment, then said, “So, you’re jealous? Because the yacht is named after Jasmine?”

“Are you that desperate for power? Do you want a fancy yacht that much, just to show off that you found an Alpha like me?”

“Just because it doesn’t have your name, you publicly humiliate Jasmine? Diana, I’m warning you. Even if you are my mate, you will show some respect to my Pack members. Jasmine isn’t like you. She can’t handle this. She hasn’t been through all sorts of brutal battles like you have. She’s delicate, like a flower raised in a greenhouse.”

“If you still want to be my mate, get to the island and apologize immediately. Otherwise, we can only sever our bond.”

A chorus of cheers erupted on the other end of the link.

Jasmine’s delicate and soft thoughts appeared again. “Aidan, don’t be angry with Diana. It’s all my fault. If I had known she couldn’t take a joke and was so sensitive about me being with you, I should have learned to keep my distance.”

“After all, you’re someone else’s Alpha now. What I missed, I missed. I understand.”

Her voice choked with emotion. “But… I really don’t want to see you even a little bit unhappy. If my not being in your life would stop you from fighting, I can disappear. Aidan, don’t frown. I don’t like seeing you like that.”

Her voice grew quieter. “The Aidan Amberwood I know is always full of strength. He is the sun of my life.”

The stench of her cloying sweetness was so thick it almost made me gag.

But Aidan Amberwood was overcome with pity. “Silly girl, what does this have to do with you? Don’t be sad.”

Then, he spoke to me coldly. “Diana, I expect you to apologize to Jasmine before the party goes any further. Otherwise, we sever our bond.”

I laughed, furious. “Apologize? Fine. You all wait on the island for my apology.” With that, I viciously slammed my mental shields shut.

In the link, the Pack members were placing bets. “I’ll bet a hundred gold coins that Diana will come crawling back to apologize. As if she could ever bear to give up our Alpha.”

“A hundred gold coins? I’ll bet ten copper coins. The thought of seeing her grovel is hilarious enough.”

“If she didn't have the guts to back it up, she shouldn't have started something so stupid in the first place.”

Jasmine sent a message. “You all, stop it. I don’t care if she apologizes or not. I just don’t want to make things difficult for Aidan. You guys, too, please don’t make it hard for him, okay? A little hurt for my sake is nothing.”

I shut down all my senses and closed my eyes.

Aidan Amberwood and I had met during a territorial conflict. He had been injured protecting his Pack, and I saved him. He was captivated by my strength at first sight, and after pursuing me relentlessly for a year, I agreed to be his mate. We had been together for two years. Today was my birthday, and also the second anniversary of our bonding.

I had planned to tell him my true identity today. After today, I was going to take him back to meet my family. But now, it seemed fortunate that all of this had happened. There was still time to change everything.

I used a private mind-link, one known only to my family, to contact my father. His thoughts responded swiftly. “My moonlight. You finally remembered to send a message to your father. It’s your birthday today. Aren’t you coming home to celebrate with us?”

My eyes burned, and my voice cracked. “Father, I miss you and Mother so much. I’ll be back tonight. I want to drink the mead Mother brewed.”

My father replied quickly, “Of course. The clan servants have already prepared all your favorite foods. We’re just waiting for you to come home.”

I sniffled. “Father, you said I could ask the clan for one birthday present. I’ve decided what I want. I request that you activate the ancient covenant for ‘Cradle Island’ for me…”