---- I panicked, trying to hide, but the coffee cup slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor. Marcus and I locked eyes. I saw clear pity in his. Connor heard the noise and rushed out. He found me fumbling, crouching down to pick up the broken glass, a total mess. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes for a split second before he strode over and roughly pulled me to my feet. "Aria? What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would've sent someone to pick you up." I tried to force a smile, but tears streamed down my face anyway. "Just got here. Wanted to give you a surprise... Didn't expect to be so clumsy, can't even hold a cup steady." ---- countless times, full of an Alpha's tenderness and care for his mate. But I couldn't feel that unique, comforting warmth anymore. So, a werewolf really could hide his true nature, fake it to this extent, all for revenge. Back then, my father was banished from the pack. At the pack meeting, I was pointed at as "the traitor's daughter," curled up in a corner, crying helplessly. Until my mother mated with Alpha Damon, Connor's father. It was Connor who appeared like a god, chasing away those hateful stares. He wrapped me in his powerful Alpha scent, promising in a low voice to protect me always, to be my only anchor. ---- I believed every word, every look. I drowned in the web of sweet lies he spun for me, thinking I'd found my safe harbor for eternity. I never knew it was all the prelude to his carefully planned revenge. Our supposed fated bond was just one giant lie. He was the one who'd pushed me into this abyss. While Connor was off "handling things," I sent a coded message to my mother. "Mom, I want to leave this place for good." "Please, don't tell anyone about this yet." On the way back, he casually brought it up, his arm possessively around my waist. "The pack elders are pushing me to choose a Luna. I've already asked Elena to help me put on a show. " ---- "Don't worry, you're my only mate. She agreed to help me deal with those old geezers. And I'll still be with you every night, just like now, soothing you with my scent." His fingers slid suggestively around my waist. I stared out at the passing night, my throat dry. I just nodded, silent. Tears fell, unseen, into the darkness. Once we were back at his place, he went into the bathroom. The heavy Alpha scent hadn't even started to fade when his phone suddenly started blaring. After three quick calls in a row, I rushed to grab it for him. I meant to tell them Connor wasn't free, but my fingerprint accidentally unlocked his screen. Just as I glanced at his social media friends, I was completely stunned.