Chapter 4

Back home that afternoon and on into the night, I couldn’t settle.

I wanted to see if he’d be honest with me.

I waited for him to come back with an explanation.

Alpha Ethan didn’t return until dawn’s edge.

“Babe, I worked late at the office. Have you had breakfast? I’ll eat with you.” He swept me into a hug, nuzzling my hair.

I guessed he’d spent the night at the place he’d shared with Ava years ago.

“Mm. Thank you, Alpha Ethan. Let’s eat.” I smothered the ache and set out sandwiches and milk.

If, before going to the airport, he told me the truth—maybe I would tell him I was pregnant. Maybe we could still fix this.

He disappointed me. Through the whole meal, not one word about Ava’s return.

After breakfast, he shaved carefully and sprayed cologne.

For the first time in three years, he stood in the closet picking and pairing clothes for ages.

He’d never cared about that before.

I stared, hollowed out.

Maybe my gaze made him guilty. He forced a laugh and opened his hands. “Oh—meeting a very important client. He’s particular about appearances.”

“An important client?” I sneered inside. More like an old flame.

He chose deception over honesty.

When he left, I, stubborn and unwilling, tailed him by cab.

His car went straight to the airport, and my heart sank mile by mile.

At arrivals, I hid behind a column, eyes locked on him.

Anxiety. Anger. My chest felt chewed hollow by ants.

He stopped, joy flashed across his face, and he waved.

I followed his gaze. A woman walked toward him.

I held my breath and slipped closer through the crowd.

Ethan hurried to her, cupped her tear-bright face in shaking hands.

“Hello, my mate. I’m back,” Ava whispered, voice weak and full of yearning—and then she collapsed into his arms.

My world collapsed, too. It really was Ava. She had really returned.

If I’d had any hope left, it died there.

My knees buckled. I slid down the wall, hiding in a corner, sobbing soundlessly.

No. No. This can’t be real. I begged the Moon Goddess to wake me from the nightmare.

But Payne howled in my head: this is real. This is no dream.

I couldn’t watch them hold each other any longer. I stumbled out of the airport and ran.