Chapter 2

Aria set down her knife and fork, rising from her seat. She could no longer bear the web of lies spun before her.

Seeing her leave, Kane hurriedly stood up, a flicker of panic flashing in his eyes.

“My little wolf, what’s wrong?”

Aria shook her head, her voice as soft as the wind.

“Tired. I want to return to the pack.”

Without waiting for his response, she walked out of the private room and onto the street.

Raising her head, she caught sight of the LED screen across the road. It was playing a courtship video.

“Aria, be my mate!” The bold words stood prominently at the center of the screen.

Passersby stopped, murmuring in awe.

“Oh my, I heard Alpha Kane’s woman can’t shift. That’s why he rented out the tallest building in the city to display ‘Be my mate’ so she’d see it clearly. So romantic!”

“Kane is way too good to that useless thing. He’ll definitely be a great alpha.”

Aria, the subject of this spectacle, could only muster a bitter smile.

A week ago, she would have reacted like the onlookers, wholeheartedly believing in Kane’s love.

She had been born into a declining wolf pack, unable to shift—a flaw that marked her as a disgrace and outcast among their kind.

It was in those shadows of despair that Kane appeared. He claimed to have fallen for her at first sight, launching into a relentless pursuit.

But she wasn’t new to such cruel games. She avoided him at every turn.

He pursued her ninety-nine times, and she rejected him just as many.

Then came the day of the silver hunter attack. Kane shielded her without hesitation, even as a silver blade pierced clean through his shoulder blade. He remained frozen in that protective stance, refusing to leave her.

When he woke in the hospital, his body was so weakened that he could barely maintain his human form. Yet the first thing he did was gently stroke her face.

“My little wolf, as long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

It was in that moment she realized, despite being an unshifting outcast, she still had someone who was willing to risk everything for her.

The walls in her heart cracked for the first time.

The silver wound never fully healed, leaving behind a permanent circular scar. Every time she saw it, her heart would stir.

For five years, Kane’s devotion never wavered. He showered her with genuine love, making her believe in him completely.

Even as the pack vehemently opposed their union, he pushed through the pressure and proposed.

Wanting to truly experience the wild essence of her mate during the bonding ceremony, she risked her life undergoing a bloodline awakening, a process that could end in death if it failed.

By some miracle, she succeeded. Even more, she gained a rare sensory ability.

She had planned to surprise Kane on the day of the ceremony, keeping her awakening a secret.

But fate had other plans. On the very day of her awakening, her newfound ability allowed her to sense Kane’s betrayal.

She overheard him on a call with his beta, their flirtations shameless and unrestrained.

That was when she learned the truth. He had betrayed her long ago.

Their affair had gone on for a year, and she had been blissfully unaware!

The ache in her chest grew unbearable, forcing her to crouch on the ground, clutching herself tightly.

Kane’s words from earlier in the private room echoed endlessly in her mind.

Even as their bonding ceremony approached, he had no intention of ending the affair.

Did he think she was so useless that he could deceive her forever?

The biting winter wind cleared her head.

She would prove to Kane that lies were destined to unravel.

And she, Aria, would never tolerate betrayal.