---- From big decisions like the venue, to small details like the guest list. He'd handled everything personally. He even designed the part where my "traitor's daughter" identity would be "accidentally" revealed at the ceremony, to maximize the humiliation. All just to tear apart our fake mate bond in front of everyone. The moment Connor walked out of the bathroom, still damp and radiating his hot Alpha scent, I quickly turned off the phone screen. I booked myself an international flight for three days later - the day of the ceremony. At dinner, Connor's father, the former Alpha, kept bringing up Connor choosing a Luna. Connor pretended to be annoyed, brushing it off. ---- He'd set the Marking ceremony for three days from now. My dinner knife scraped loudly against my plate, out of control. The meal tasted like chewing on cardboard. After dinner, Mom called me into the study, her eyes filled with worry. "Why do you suddenly want to leave? Didn't you say Connor's Alpha scent made you feel safe? Have you told him you're leaving?" Seeing the new white hairs at her temples, my nose stung. "No. I hope you can keep this from him for me." "Mom, after I'm gone, please take care of yourself. And don't listen to any of that pack gossip." I knew Mom had already endured so much, just to ---- barely survive on the fringes of the pack with me, " the traitor's daughter." No matter what Connor thought, my father never betrayed the pack, and my mother never interfered in his parents' bond. They didn't deserve to have their reputations ruined. Back in my bedroom, Connor was already shirtless, lounging lazily on the bed, waiting for me. The air was thick with his overpowering, aggressive scent. When I came in, he reached out a long arm, easily pulling me into his embrace, his hot chest pressed against my back. His wet, hot lips and tongue nibbled at my ear, the side of my neck, his voice low and hoarse with desire. "Angry? Hmm? You know our relationship can't