Caroline POV:
It was our third mating anniversary.
In werewolf culture, the third anniversary is significant. It represents the solidification of the bond, the transition from new mates to established leaders.
I wore green. A deep, emerald velvet dress that hugged my curves. It was the color of the forest, the color of the home I used to build in my mind.
I sat across from Blake at Le Lune, the most exclusive restaurant in the territory. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, I had to admit. That jawline, those dark eyes that used to make my wolf howl with desire. Now, looking at him was like looking at a statue. Beautiful, cold, and stone.
"You look... nice," he said, checking his watch.
"Thank you," I said. "I ordered the venison."
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a long, velvet box. My heart gave a stupid, traitorous little jump. Maybe he remembered. Maybe he had bought me the enchanted drafting compass I had admired months ago.
He slid the box across the table.
Just then, his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen. Ariana.
"Don't," I said. It was the first time I had commanded him. "It's our anniversary, Blake. Don't answer it."
"It might be an emergency," he said, answering it anyway. "Ariana? What's wrong?"
I watched his face change from annoyance to concern.
"Calm down," he said. "Where are you? You're here?"
I turned my head. Ariana was standing at the entrance of the restaurant. She was wearing a shimmering silver gown that was far too bridal for a dinner guest.
And on her chest, pinned right over her heart, was the Moonstone Brooch.
The Blood Moon Pack's heirloom. The brooch that belonged to the Alpha's mate. It had been locked in the vault.
"She's having a panic attack," Blake said, standing up. "The crowd... the pheromones are overwhelming her senses."
Ariana stumbled toward our table, clutching her chest. "Blake... I couldn't breathe... I needed to find you..."
She collapsed into the chair next to him—my chair was opposite him. He immediately took her hands, pushing his Alpha aura into her to soothe her. It was an intimate act, sharing energy.
"Why is she wearing the Moonstone Brooch, Blake?" I asked, my voice deadly quiet.
Blake didn't even look at the brooch. "She needed a talisman. Something with Alpha energy to ground her. I let her borrow it from the vault."
"That is for the Luna," I said.
"It's just jewelry, Caroline!" He snapped. "She is hyperventilating. Do you have no empathy?"
Ariana looked at me, her eyes wet with fake tears. "I'm sorry, Caroline. I just felt so unsafe."
Blake looked at the velvet box on the table—my gift. Then he looked at Ariana, who was trembling.
"Here," Blake said. He picked up the box intended for me. He opened it. Inside were diamond earrings. Not the compass. Just generic, expensive diamonds.
He handed them to Ariana. "Focus on these. Look at the light in them. Ground yourself."
Ariana took the earrings. She held them up to her ears, looking at her reflection in the knife blade. "They're beautiful, Blake. They make me feel... safe."
He didn't take them back. He let her keep them.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest, right where the mating bond used to be. It wasn't the bond breaking—that was already gone. It was the death of my dignity.
"Excuse me," I said, standing up. "I need to go to the ladies' room."
I walked away. I didn't go to the bathroom to cry. I went to take a pill—a strong herbal suppressor to numb the phantom pain in my empty womb.
I took out my phone.
He gave the family heirloom to her. He regifted my anniversary present to her to 'soothe' her.
-15.
Total Remaining: 30.
