Chapter 1

The heavy bass of the club music couldn't drown out the suffocating silence in the VIP booth.

Just seconds ago, my mate-to-be, Damon Thorne, had shattered my heart with a single sentence. He wanted to reschedule our marking ceremony. The ceremony I had spent six months preparing for.

Why? Because he needed to take my half-sister, Sienna, to a doctor's appointment.

"You want to postpone our bonding... for a checkup?" I asked, my voice trembling barely above a whisper. "Damon, we can't just reschedule. The Alpha Council only opens these slots once a month."

Before Damon could answer, the room erupted into laughter. His friends—his beta and gammas—were looking at me like I was a desperate joke.

"No way," one of them snickered, swirling his drink. "Is she seriously that desperate? Trying to force Damon into the marking ceremony?"

Sienna, sitting dangerously close to Damon, sighed. It was a sound perfectly crafted to fake sympathy.

"Don't blame Elara, guys," Sienna said softly, her hand brushing against Damon’s arm. "She's turning twenty-five next week. That’s... well, it’s getting old for a she-wolf without a mate. She must be terrified of being left on the shelf."

She turned her wide, teary eyes up to Damon. "It’s my fault, really. My leg exam is on Saturday. It was so hard to get that appointment with the specialist. But... if Elara is really that insecure, then let's prioritize her. I can just endure the pain. I’ll reschedule."

As she spoke, she bit her lip, looking fragile and selfless.

"Bullshit," a guy in a loud patterned shirt scoffed. "Damon, don't fall for it. Everyone knows Elara is obsessed with you. She's been waiting years for this. She’s just using your schedule to pressure you because she’s scared you’ll finally realize you can do better."

Damon’s brow furrowed. The sharp angles of his face, which usually softened when he looked at me, were now hard with disapproval.

"Elara," he said, his voice cold. "You know Sienna needs this follow-up. Do you know why her leg is injured? Because she saved me from those rogues last week. And you choose this specific day to compete with her for attention?"

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a vice. A sour, metallic taste filled my mouth.

I knew. Of course I knew. He reminded me every single day that Sienna was his savior.

I dug my nails into my palms, trying to keep my voice steady. "Damon, do you even remember what Saturday is?"

Damon froze. For a split second, guilt flickered in his eyes.

The silence stretched. When he finally spoke, his tone softened, but it was the kind of softness you use on an unreasonable child.

"I know it's your birthday, Elara," he sighed. "And I know you wanted to fulfill your mother's dying wish to be mated by twenty-five."

He leaned back, looking exhausted by my mere existence. "But you need to be flexible. Why does it have to be that specific day? A day earlier, a day later—what’s the difference? It’s just a piece of paper."

I opened my mouth, but the words died in my throat.

What’s the difference?

Should I remind him that seven years ago, he stood by my dying mother’s bedside, holding my hand while tears streamed down his face?

“Don't worry, ma'am. I swear I'll mark Elara as my mate before her twenty-fifth birthday. I will protect her.”

That promise had been my lifeline for seven years. It was the only thing holding me together. And now, he was tossing it aside for a routine checkup that could easily be moved.

He had forgotten. Or worse, he just didn't care.

I looked at him—really looked at him. The man I had loved for a decade. He wasn't looking at me with love. He was looking at me with annoyance. Next to him, Sienna masked a smirk behind her champagne glass.

Suddenly, the fight drained out of me. It wasn't a crash; it was a silent, hollow defeat.

"Okay," I whispered.

Damon’s frown vanished instantly. He looked relieved, like he’d just successfully diffused a bomb.

"See? I knew you'd understand," he said, his voice warm again. "My Elara is always reasonable."

He reached out to pat my hand, but I pulled away before he could touch me.

"Be a good girl," he added, oblivious to my withdrawal. "Don't make a fuss. Once Sienna gets through her checkup safely, I'll take you to the Council right after. I promise."

Another promise. Just like the one he made to my mother.

I stood up. The air in the room felt toxic, choking me.

"I need some air," I said flatly.

I didn't wait for his response. I turned around and walked out of the VIP room, leaving the laughter—and my foolish, wasted youth—behind the heavy soundproof door.