Chapter 7

Shawn never comes to see me again. I don't care. I am occupied preparing for my journey to the borderland, where I will make a new contact.

In my previous life, Jason was a stranger: cold, not interested in love, unmated, and slain in battle. I am born in this life with no expectations of love, but I honor his unwavering commitment to defend the great pack. At least, I will not again endure a love that leads nowhere.

The night before the binding ceremony, I sit by the window, entranced by moonlight. The door opens, and Shawn comes in.

"Diana sent me to bring jade tokens to you and Quinn as dowry gifts," he says practically, setting a lacquered box on the table.

I don't turn around, just make a gentle humming sound in acceptance.

He pauses, then says, "Tomorrow, the three of us will be bound, one pack. I hope you can be kind, Leah, and stop making Quinn suffer."

I start to say I've never harmed her, that I don't care about him, but he cuts me off, turning away before I have a chance to respond.

I sit there in shock, then stand to follow him, to straighten everything out. But I falter when I see him slip into Quinn's room.

I watch Quinn throw herself into his arms through the partly open door, tears running down her face. "Shawn, you're so honorable—never even a concubine," she whispers, her voice breaking. "Tomorrow's our binding night, and tradition says you have to go to Leah first, but I couldn't wait."

She looks up, eyes shining. "I want to be your first, Shawn. Please, let it be me."

His brow furrows. "Quinn, that goes against tradition."

"Just this once," she whispers, her hand tightening on his arm, her voice husky and sweet. "You love me, I love you— shouldn't the first time be with the she-wolf you love most?"

I watch his resistance break under the moon's light. He sighs, then stoops, kissing her fiercely.

I watch, a low, bitter laugh lodging in my throat. I turn and go.

Two carriages covered in flowers wait at the den gates the next morning. The path is single-file, so the matron smiles. "One bride goes first. Who'll it be?"

Quinn elbows her way in front of me. "Leah's always gotten to go first my whole life. Let me have this."

Her eyes gleam with triumph—first to go in means higher status in the pack's eyes.

I smile weakly. "Go ahead."

When her carriage leaves, I have Shawn's betrothal gifts delivered to an empty one and leave a letter among them: Shawn, I will not seal the bond this time; Quinn alone is your mate. May the two of you be bound forever, your hearts forever linked.

As the carriage departs, I head to the back gate, where a plain sedan is waiting—the one that will bring me to the borderland.

My new life.

As the train inches away, I lift the veil for a final glance at Belmor Town. In that previous life I pursued love until it broke me; now I simply let it go.

Shawn, may you obtain your heart's desire.