Chapter 2

Sia's POV

It was Cain.

Before I could even process the sound, he kicked the door open and marched inside.

In the dim light, his grey eyes locked onto my red, swollen ones. He caught my chin with bruising force, tilting my face up.

"Who made you cry?" Cain demanded. "Sia. Tell me. Who was it?"

I slapped his hand away and took a cold step back. "Nobody, Cain. Leave my room."

His eyes narrowed. "Someone said you just came from my father's office. What did you two talk about? Why are you sneaking around behind my back?"

"It was a private conversation with Alpha Aldric," I replied. "It doesn't concern you."

Cain slammed me against the wall, his massive frame pinning me in place.  "Everything in this pack concerns me. You've been dodging my calls for days and acting like a ghost at dinner."

He leaned closer, his jaw clenched tight. "If this little cold war is your way of throwing a tantrum over Samara, drop it. She is my Chosen Mate, Sia. That is set in stone, and you need to accept it.Stop playing these pathetic mind games to get my attention."

The absolute arrogance in his words felt like a silver blade scraping my ribs. He truly believed my entire universe still revolved around him.

"I'm not playing a game, Cain," I said, staring directly into his freezing eyes. "I've just finally accepted my place in this house. You should be happy."

Cain let out a cold scoff. "Good. It's about time."

He turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door until the walls trembled.

I clutched my tattered stuffed wolf to my chest, a bitter smile spreading in the dark. Let him think whatever he wants. In seven days, I'll be gone, and his opinions won't be my problem ever again.

But before my countdown ended, my eighteenth birthday arrived.

To my surprise, Alpha Aldric insisted on throwing a massive banquet in the grand pavilion, putting on a show of how much he cared for his stepdaughter.

The pavilion was packed with hundreds of wolves, the air thick with roasted meat and liquor. My mother, Elena, sat beside Aldric at the high table, leaning into his shoulder while he kissed her temple with quiet devotion.

Watching them look so perfectly happy made my throat burn. My mother had spent seven years erasing my biological father's memory just to secure her spot at a wealthy Alpha's side. He died a hero protecting our people, but to her, he was just an embarrassing liability she'd successfully buried under her new life.

Aldric's eyes scanned the crowded room, his smile fading as he looked down at the empty chair to his right—Cain's seat.

"Where the hell is he?" Aldric muttered, his inner Alpha flaring with anger.

My mother quickly placed a soothing hand on his arm. "Calm down, honey. Don't let it ruin Sia's big night处理。"

Aldric didn't look appeased. His eyes darkened, and the sudden, heavy pressure in my head told me he was opening a pack-wide Mind-link.

"Cain!" Aldric's furious voice roared inside our minds. "Today is Sia's eighteenth birthday. You are her brother and the future Alpha. Why the hell aren't you home yet?！"

A tense silence fell over the pavilion. A few seconds later, Cain's voice cut back through the connection—completely cold and careless.

"Dad, today is my one-hundred-day anniversary with Samara. I'm staying in the Southern district with her tonight. I'm not coming back. It's just a birthday. Does it really matter if I'm there or not?"

The Mind-link snapped shut.

Around the room, the whispers started instantly. Low mutters and mocking glances turned toward me from every table.

It was the first time in seven years he had completely skipped my birthday. My heart twisted, but the pain quickly turned numb. He wasn't just choosing Samara; he was erasing me from his life entirely.

"Alpha Aldric, please," I spoke up quietly, keeping my face completely expressionless. "Cain is right. It's really no big deal. He doesn't need to be here."

"Yes, Aldric," my mother quickly chimed in,  "Sia doesn't mind at all. Let's just enjoy the party."

Aldric gave a tight nod and signaled for the music to continue.

I stared down at my silver cup, swallowing the burning ash in my throat. Cain is right, I thought, using his words like armor. He doesn't matter anymore. I need to get used to his absence anyway. It starts tonight.

By the time the bonfire was roaring, the night had reached its peak.

Then, the heavy doors of the pavilion creaked open.

The crowd suddenly fell dead silent. Cain walked in, his broad shoulders squared, but he wasn't alone. Samara was clung tightly to his arm, wearing a stunning red dress.

The pack members instantly swarmed them, shouting congratulations. I froze at the high table as the fragmented whispers reached my ears.

"They're getting married next month!"

Next month. They were getting married so fast.

Samara laughed, sharp and bright. "Oh, stop it, everyone," she pressed into Cain, voice dripping with playful reproach. "I told Cain we should wait, but he was just so impatient to make me his mate."

Cain's arm locked around her waist. "I've already waited too long," he announced, his voice cutting through the hall. "There's no point in delaying the wedding when I already know you're the only woman I want by my side."

The words felt like a silver blade plunging straight into my heart, twisting until I was completely numb. He had never wanted me.

I blindly turned to escape, but crashed straight into a broad, solid chest.

My cup flew from my fingers. The dark liquor splashed violently, soaking the front of my white dress like a bloody wound.

Strong arms caught my waist. I gasped, looking up into the startled green eyes of Jace, a young guard. He flushed, instantly reaching down with a cloth to dab at the massive stain on my waist.

“Sia! I’m so sorry,” Jace rushed out. “Did I hurt you?”

“It’s fine, Jace. My fault,” I whispered, pushing his hands away. “I can handle it.”

I hurried past him.

I didn't look back, but as I burst into the freezing night air, I could still feel a fierce, burning gaze drilling a hole straight through my spine.