Chapter 5

A knock came at the door. "Miss Grey? Package for you — express delivery. Signature required."

I blinked, calling through the door. "I haven't ordered anything recently. Are you sure you have the right address?"

"Sender marked it as a gift. Address checks out."

I opened the door and signed for the flat white box.

I tore off the wrapping and lifted the lid.

Inside was a bonding ceremony gown.

Silver-white, with moonlight orchid patterns embroidered in subtle relief along the hem and cuffs — the motif reserved exclusively for the Luna at a Blackwood pack bonding ceremony. The fabric was hand-woven moon silk, so light it was almost weightless, every dart and seam tailored to fit my body with flawless precision.

He'd measured me too many times to need a tailor.

A card was affixed to the inside of the lid. Black stock, silver foil lettering. Kieran's handwriting.

Lia, you're the only person I want to see walking toward me at the moonlit altar. Happy third anniversary.

I stared at those words, an ache swelling in my chest until I could barely breathe.

For the past three years, I'd imagined it countless times — slipping into a gown like this, walking toward Kieran under a full moon.

But not after he'd announced he was bonding with another woman. Not after he'd publicly denied me at a press conference. Not after he'd placed a silver bullet on the coffee table and then had the audacity to send me a Luna's gown.

How absurd. How pathetic.

I looked at the silver-white gown draped across the couch. It was a mirror, reflecting back every last shred of my naivety and foolishness over three years.

My phone buzzed. A message from Kieran.

Did you get the gift?

I didn't reply.

I was about to stuff the gown back into its box when my phone lit up again. A direct message notification — from Selene Silvercrest.

Every nerve in my body screamed at me not to open it.

I opened it anyway.

Aurelia, it's Selene. I hope you don't mind me reaching out directly. Today is my bonding ceremony with Kieran. I'm not here to cause trouble — I just want you to know a few things.

The second message followed immediately.

Kieran and I grew up together. We went through our first shift on the same full moon at fourteen, were each other's first hunting partners, and have been the couple both packs expected to see together since we were children.

Four years ago, we had a fight and separated for a while. That's when he met you.

But it was only ever temporary, Aurelia. Everyone knew we'd end up together. This isn't a political match — it's a homecoming.

A third.

I'm not saying this to hurt you. I just hope you'll make the right choice and stop letting yourself sink deeper.

And the last.

After all, if it ever came down to choosing — he wouldn't choose you. I think you've already seen that for yourself.

I set the phone down, fingers numb and ice-cold, and mechanically swiped to the news feed.

The headline had changed. A live photo — the moonlit altar in Silver Pine Grove, the Blackwood pack's sacred ground. Kieran in a black ceremonial robe. Selene in a white gown on his arm. His hand resting over hers, natural as breathing.

The headline read: "Blackwood-Silvercrest Bonding Ceremony Held in Grand Fashion — Pack Leaders from Across the North in Attendance."

Silver Pine Grove.

The Silver Pine Grove he'd taken me to. The Silver Pine Grove where he'd said, "One day, I'll mark you right here."

He'd marked her there instead.

The comments were a sea of congratulations. No one mentioned my name. As if I had never existed at all.

I flipped the phone face-down on the couch.

I'd already told myself to let go, but seeing it still felt like a silver blade driven into my chest. Even breathing tasted of blood.

His "moon" had told me I was nothing but an interlude. And on the day of his bonding ceremony, he'd sent me a Luna's gown I would never wear.

Just then, my mother called.

"Lia, Ronan's sent someone for you. A black SUV, Oregon plates, parked in the alley behind your building. Can you leave now?"

"Today's Kieran's bonding ceremony — he won't be able to get away." I was already on my feet as I spoke. "Mom, I'm leaving right now."

"Good. Call me when you reach Portland." Her voice was steady, but I heard her draw in a breath on the other end, as though holding something back. "Be careful, baby."

After I hung up, I set the gown box outside the door in the hallway.

Then I stripped my luggage down to a single backpack. A change of clothes, cash, my passport.

The dresses he'd bought, the jewelry, the life we'd built together — all of it stayed in this apartment.

I was leaving every trace of this wretched chapter behind me.

I pushed open the fire exit door and took the back stairwell.

My footsteps echoed in the enclosed space, each one loud as a heartbeat.

When I reached the twelfth floor, I heard sounds from below.

Men. More than one. Moving fast, boot soles striking concrete steps, and the intermittent crackle of a walkie-talkie.

"— Alpha says the penthouse —"

"— secure her before noon —"

I froze.

I pressed myself flat against the wall, barely daring to breathe.

They were coming up. Kieran's enforcers.