Chapter 3

The blizzard howled, growing more vicious with every passing second.

Ice crystals clung to the rare moon-bloom herbs clutched to my chest.

Jaw locked against the freezing wind, I ducked under the clinic’s awning for a sliver of shelter.

My screen buzzed. A text from Stacy.

[Ember, I feel awful! I had no idea Daniel would just hit the gas and leave you.]

[Honestly, you’ve been his mate for years. How do you still not get his Alpha ego? He just wants to feel in charge. Just apologize and smooth things over.]

[So cold out! Let’s grab coffee another time.]

Half-melted snow slid down my forehead, stinging my eyes.

I used to spend hours trying to decode Daniel’s moods. Right now? I couldn't care less.

By the time I fought my way through the whiteout and pushed through the doors of the packhouse, Daniel and Stacy were already settled in.

Stacy was curled up by the roaring fireplace.

She was wearing the silk robe I had ordered for myself just last month. Daniel stood over her, casually pouring a glass of wine.

I placed my salvaged herbs on the counter.

As I walked past the kitchen island, Daniel finally looked up.

He locked eyes with me for one heavy second.

Upstairs, the counter was trashed with Stacy's makeup and perfumes.

I rinsed off in hot water, then threw open my closet to pack for the United Pack Medical Center.

It was empty. 

My clothes were completely gone. Every rack was crammed with Stacy’s designer coats and bags.

Blood rushed to my ears. I stormed to the railing, staring down at Daniel.

"Where are my clothes?"

Daniel reclined on the sofa, unbothered. "I had the omegas clear some space. You’ve been throwing too many tantrums. Stacy needed room, so think of this as a timeout. Soften up, and you’ll get your closet back."

My fingers dug into the banister.

A petty punishment to force my submission.

Stacy shrank into the pillows, faking wide-eyed guilt. "Daniel, is she mad? I can just take a guest room..."

"Drop it," Daniel said, patting her knee. "She’s just acting out. Give her a few days, she’ll fall in line."

I stayed dead silent.

Daniel rubbed his temples, letting out an annoyed breath. "Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday banquet. She specifically asked for you. Drop the attitude, play the Luna, and apologize to me after. Then we'll move past this."

His mother was the only person in this pack who had ever defended me, constantly calling Daniel out on his bullshit.

I owed her a proper goodbye before leaving for good.

"Fine," I said coldly.

I didn't bother hunting down my wardrobe.

I grabbed a duffel from the guest room, threw in my medical certifications and essentials, and left every gift he’d ever bought me behind. 

I marched downstairs straight for the entrance.

"Where do you think you're going?" Daniel’s voice cracked like a whip. "You're barely home as it is."

He stood there, smug and certain I had nowhere else to run.

"None of your business." 

This wasn't my home anyway.

His jaw tightened, Alpha dominance flaring. Before he could unleash it, I yanked the front door open, letting the freezing gale rip through the foyer.

"You're sick, Daniel," I said. "If you want absolute obedience, go buy a damn dog. Stop disgusting me."

I slammed the door behind me.

I hailed a cab and checked into a boutique hotel along the territory border, switching my phone off the second it started buzzing.

The next morning, I stepped into the lobby and stopped cold.

Daniel and Stacy sat waiting on the lounge sofas. 

The mate bond. He had tracked my scent.

Stacy was decked out in full glam, preening like a queen. "Ember, did you sleep okay? Daniel worried you'd be petty and bail on the party, so he insisted we pick you up."

Daniel stood, his tone deceptively calm. "Head back to the estate and help my mom set up. I promised to take Stacy dress shopping. I'll bring her over before dinner."

I let out a dry, humorless laugh and headed straight for the revolving doors.

"Don't be mad, Ember!" Stacy called out, sounding totally innocent. "I'm just borrowing the Alpha for an hour! I'll return him before the party!"

I didn't break stride.

"Ember, what is your problem now?" Daniel barked from behind. "Helping my mother is your duty as my mate!"

I stepped out, flagged a waiting cab, and climbed in.

My phone blew up the second the tires hit the pavement. 

[Do you seriously have to fight me today?]

[Get to the estate and help my mother right now. Don't embarrass me!]

I sneered and hammered out a reply:

[Help her host? So I can sweat like a maid while you grandstand through the front door with your side piece? So your mother can interrogate me in public about where my Alpha is?]

Stacy sent three long texts begging me to "understand an Alpha's stress." Blocked and deleted.

After my message delivered, Daniel didn't reply. 

Back in the lobby, Daniel stared at his phone, a sudden chill creeping into his chest.

He had no comeback.

Ember was right—Eleanor would tear him apart if she saw Ember slaving away alone while he strolled in with Stacy on his arm. 

Yet his Alpha pride refused to let him break a promise to Stacy. 

"Fuck!" 

Daniel kicked the trash can, the violent clang echoing through the lobby.

For the first time, a cold wave of dread hit his gut.

It seems that something priceless was slipping right through his fingers—and he was completely powerless to stop it.