The moment I stepped into the den, my body went still.
Adrielle was already sprawled on the stone sofa, wearing a silk sleep-robe, crunching on dried meat chips like she ruled the place.
“Didn’t you say there was a pack gathering tonight?” I asked calmly. “You said you wouldn’t return.”
She gave me a shy smile.
“Oh, Ivara, I forgot to tell you. I fought with my mate, so I went to the gathering to make him angry. I even told him. He didn’t care. But the moment I arrived, he showed up and dragged me away.”
She tugged lightly at her collar. The fabric slipped just enough to reveal dark marks on her skin.
Fresh bite marks.
She glanced at me, proud, like she was showing off a trophy. “I didn’t expect him to be so jealous,” she said sweetly. “We ended up fooling around in the carriage. Three times.”
My nails dug into my palms until pain bloomed. Still, my voice stayed level. “When did you even take a mate? You never mentioned it.”
She laughed softly and tossed her hair. “Oh, around nine moons ago. After I returned from beyond the borders. My brother introduced him to me.”
Nine moons.
The exact time she moved into this den. The exact time Evander’s so-called friend asked him to watch over his sister.
What a lie.
My breathing grew heavy. Anger simmered beneath my skin.
Then I felt it.
Evander’s hands settled firmly on my shoulders.
“My Luna,” he said gently, “you’ve had a long day. Let me prepare a hot bath. You need rest.”
He guided me toward the bathing chamber as if nothing was wrong.
I stepped inside and closed the door. I began to undress, clinging to the thought of sinking into warm water. Then I realized I’d forgotten fresh clothes.
When I opened the door—
The world stopped.
Not far away, Evander had Adrielle pinned beneath him. His hand tore at her sleep-robe like it was nothing. His mouth was pressed to her skin, his grip tight on her waist.
She tilted her head back, letting out soft sounds. “Careful,” she murmured. “Ivara’s still bathing. Didn’t you have enough in the carriage earlier?”
A low growl left his throat, dark and possessive. “Be quiet. If you even think of letting another male touch you, you’ll regret it.”
She laughed softly, pleased—and then her eyes met mine.
I was frozen in the doorway.
“Alright,” she purred. “I won’t. I’m yours alone. You’re so jealous, aren’t you, Alpha?”
That was enough.
I grabbed my clothes, shut the door, and locked it.
The water was scalding when I sank into the tub, but it burned far less than the images replaying in my mind.
Seven years ago.
Our bonding journey on that island. I had glanced—just once—at another male with a strong build. Evander lost control. He locked me in the chamber for a full week.
When the bed broke and supplies ran low, he pulled me close and whispered, “Ivara, I have everything you need. Don’t look at anyone else. Just promise me.”
I promised. Again and again.
From that day on, I never dared to even glance at another male.
Yet now, he was just as obsessed.
Just not with me.
With her.
I sank deeper into the water and let out a trembling breath.
When I finally stepped out, Adrielle was gone.
Only Evander remained, sitting calmly as if nothing had happened.
On the table were neatly cut fruits and a cup of steaming ginger root tea. The sight made my chest ache.
He stood and handed me the cup. “I know your moon-cycle is near. This will help ease the pain.”
The warmth seeped into my hands, but inside I felt frozen.
Minutes ago, he was tearing at her clothes.
Now he stood before me, playing the perfect mate.
***
I barely slept that night.
One thought kept circling my mind: How many faces does he have?
Just before dawn, I must have drifted off. A sudden shout tore me awake.
“Ivara!”
He shot up, hands searching in the dark until he found me. He crushed me against his chest, breathing hard.
“Don’t go. Please… don’t leave me.”
I stiffened in his arms. “What’s wrong with you?”
His eyes were red, his breath uneven. “I dreamed you walked away from me. It was hell. I woke up and you were still here. Thank the Moon you’re here.”
I looked down, words heavy in my throat. I wanted to tell him the dream would soon come true.
But I stayed silent.
Maybe that nightmare shook him, because the next morning, he wouldn’t let me out of his sight. He insisted on driving me to the Alpha Council Hall himself, like he feared I’d vanish if he blinked.
The moment we entered his office, I froze.
Every surface of his desk was covered with images of me. Different days. Different angles. Some I didn’t even know he had taken.
A chill ran through me.
Before I could speak, he stepped behind me. His arms wrapped around my waist. His lips brushed my neck.
“Ivara,” he murmured softly, “many females chase me. But when I see these, I remember who I belong to. You don’t need to worry. I am yours.”
I stared at the images, lips pressed tight.
I couldn’t answer.
A knock sounded.
Cairos’s voice followed. “Alpha, the council meeting is about to begin.”
Evander sighed and held me a moment longer before letting go. “Stay here, my Luna. Walk around, rest. I’ll return soon.”
I nodded, though my chest felt heavy.
I didn’t want to stay in that office, surrounded by my own face. So I wandered—hall to hall, level to level—pretending to look, pretending to care.
By midday, my comm-stone vibrated.
My heart raced when I saw the mark.
I answered quickly.
“Luna Ivara,” a woman said politely, “your request for passage beyond the borders has been approved. Please come to the Moon Council to collect your seal.”
I opened my mouth to reply…
But a voice I knew far too well spoke behind me.
“Passage seal?”
My blood turned to ice.
