Chapter 2
It was late in the evening, and Marissa closed her door, pulling on sound- dampening earplugs, shutting out the celebration‘ s music below. The decision to return and accept her arranged mating to a powerful Alpha was final. But leaving Shadow Pack wasn‘ t something she could just rush; she had duties to complete, things to set in order, all without raising
suspicion.
She turned to the tall window, where the forest stretched beyond the pack’s territory. Hours later, satisfied she had finished everything she could, she stretched and took out her earplugs, feeling the peaceful quiet settle around her.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a message. Ivy.
“Why don’t you ever like my stories?” it read. A minute later, another message popped up, “Oh, I’m sorry, Marissa! That
80% 14:40
1/5
Chapter 2
was sent by mistake. Don’t be mad?”
Marissa shook her head, sensing the hidden jab. She knew Ivy wanted her to see something. Curiosity piqued, she tapped open Ivy‘ s pack stories, letting the images. fill her screen.
The first image was Ivy surrounded by gifts. from Caleb. Her grin was wide, eyes glistening with innocence, her hand resting gently on her slightly rounded belly. She wore a flowing maternity dress in soft pink, delicate as rose petals. Beside her, Caleb stood protectively, his arm around.
her waist.
There was more: Caleb‘ s gift, a handcrafted silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon cradling a tiny wolf pup, meant to symbolize their unborn child. Another image showed a set of plush baby blankets embroidered with the pack‘ s crest and a carved wooden cradle Caleb had commissioned, sturdy and elegant. The final image held Marissa‘ s attention.
80% 14:48
2/5
Chapter 2
Ivy, framed by Caleb, with the caption,
“Feeling so loved as we prepare for our little miracle!”
Marissa felt an old bitterness rise but quickly quelled it. Ivy could have it all if that’s what he wanted. In a week, none of
this would matter.
She tapped a heart emoji on the story, feeling oddly light. From now on, her ties to Caleb and Ivy would mean nothing.
The next morning, Marissa wrapped up her duties at the pack‘ s intelligence office, making sure her work was in good order. When she returned home, she opened the box of photos that chronicled years of memories with Caleb. She sorted through the worn edges and faded faces. They‘ d shared everything together–school adventures, their first shifting ceremonies, even holidays and family trips. Memories. from a past she could no longer cling to.
With a deep breath, she took the stack to the old stone fireplace, where she placed
809 14 48
3/5
Chapter 2
each photo onto the flames, watching as their edges curled and blackened before. crumbling into ash.
She’d just tossed the last picture onto the fire when Caleb entered, stopping dead at the sight. His eyes flashed, and he crossed the room in a heartbeat, gripping her wrist.
“Marissa, what are you doing?” he growled, his gaze darting from her to the burning memories.
His brows knitted with distress as he reached to rescue a half–burned photo, only to pull his hand back as the flames. hissed up, licking his fingers with blistering heat.
“Why would you burn them? These are our memories!” Caleb’s voice cracked, red creeping into his eyes as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
Marissa met his look calmly, slipping her wrist from his hold. “They re old memories, Caleb. Time to let go.”
80% 14:48
4/5
Chapter 2
Caleb’s icy glare shifted, softened by a flicker of uncertainty. He was like this now, but she knew that one of these days, he would choose Ivy over her again–as if he didn’t know her first. Ivy, who had wormed her way into every corner of their lives. He could wound her for Ivy’s sake, but when a few photographs went up in flames, he suddenly cared.
She almost wanted to laugh. But instead, she lifted her chin, knowing she was making the right choice.
Now, she wondered how he would react the moment he learned about her arranged mateship.
5/5
