Catherine POV:
I should have left. But the invitation had been slipped under my door. A summons to the Alpha's Birthday.
It was a trap. But a stupid part of me needed to see him one last time.
I wore a black dress from a thrift store.
The Pack House was a palace of light and noise. When I entered the ballroom, the music died.
I walked toward the head table. Derek sat there like a king. Beside him, in shimmering gold, sat Anjelica.
"Catherine!" she exclaimed, standing up. The scent of synthetic vanilla rolled off her in waves. "We didn't think you'd come! We don't have a seat... maybe near the kitchen?"
"I'm just here to wish the Alpha a happy birthday," I said.
Errol darted out from under the table. He stopped three feet away, wrinkling his nose.
"You smell like the sick room!" he shouted.
He pointed at Anjelica. "She smells like flowers! She smells like a Mommy!"
Anjelica placed a hand on Errol's shoulder, her nails digging in slightly. "Be nice, Errol. The poor woman can't help being empty."
My mother stood up. "Errol is right. The nose of a pup never lies. Catherine... bow to the future Luna."
The room went silent.
I looked at Derek. He was gripping his wine glass, his knuckles white. He looked at me, then at Anjelica, his expression confused.
"No," I said.
Anjelica gasped. She released a pulse of pheromones. It was so strong I could taste it—metallic and chemical.
Derek stood up abruptly, his eyes dilating. "Catherine. Apologize."
"She is wearing a scent bought from a witch, Derek!" I laughed. "Can you not smell the sulfur?"
"Enough!" Derek slammed his fist on the table. "Guards! Escort her out!"
As the guards grabbed me, Anjelica suddenly swayed. She collapsed into her chair.
"My baby!" she cried. "The stress... oh, Derek!"
"She's pregnant!"
"The future heir!"
My parents rushed to her. Derek scooped Anjelica up. He didn't look angry anymore. He looked terrified.
"I wish," I whispered into the chaos, "that all the lies wrapped in wolf skin would rot away."
I walked out. The bond in my chest didn't break. It just started to fester.
I walked to the old pier. The place Derek and I had our first date.
My phone pinged. A tracking app I'd installed in the Alpha's car years ago for security.
The dot was moving toward the pier.
A black SUV pulled up. I stepped into the shadows.
Derek got out. He looked disheveled. He paced, running hands through his hair. He was shaking.
"This isn't right," he muttered. "Catherine... she looked so broken. And the bond... it's screaming at me."
Anjelica got out. She didn't look like a woman who had nearly miscarried an hour ago.
She walked up to Derek. She pulled a small vial from her dress and dabbed something on her neck.
"The bond is a ghost, Derek," she purred, pressing against him.
I saw Derek's nostrils flare. His pupils blew wide, swallowing the iris.
"I need you to calm down," she whispered.
Derek groaned, a sound of surrender. "Make the noise stop. Just make it stop."
"I will," she promised.
They fell into the backseat.
I watched the windows fog up. I heard him growl her name.
The Mate Bond didn't just snap. It imploded.
It felt like a physical blow to the solar plexus. I doubled over, gasping. A burning sensation seared through my veins. He was mating with another while I was still alive.
I fell to my knees.
My phone buzzed. A text from Derek.
Handling a Rogue issue at the border. Don't wait up.
Sent by Anjelica from his phone while he was busy betraying me.
The pain peaked, then vanished.
I stood up. I wiped the dirt from my knees.
I didn't cry. Catherine died in that car crash five years ago.
"Enjoy her," I whispered. "She is your addiction now."
