Chapter 3

I treated myself to a $2,000 steak at The Gilded Antler, the finest steakhouse in our territory.

Without a large family to sustain, this wolf had coin to burn.

I stayed out until the moon rode high in the sky before returning to the Blackwood Lodge.

The lodge was silent when I returned. Not a single Mind-Link, call, or message while I was away—they had all gone to bed without a thought for me.

I moved through the silent halls to the master bedroom. The moment I stepped inside, my wolf recoiled.

Rebecca’s cloying perfume saturated the air. It was laced with something that turned my stomach. The scent of Edwards’ arousal.

My territory. My home. My mate. All of it, tainted.

The second I sat on our massive California king bed, a shriek tore through the silence.

“Ahhh!”

I leaped up, slamming the light switch. There was Rebecca, lying in my place on the bed.

My place. Where my own scent should have been strongest. Where my mate bond was anchored.

My blood didn’t just heat—my wolf howled for blood. My Mind-Healer’s training in calming auras vanished.

Before I could think, my claws were free, and I had raked them across Rebecca’s face.

I did not hold back. My claws left deep furrows.

Rebecca screamed, bursting into tears as the wounds already began to heal.

Edwards shot up, shielding her with his body. “Why did you attack Rebecca? We were just talking late and fell asleep by accident!”

The mate bond sizzled with his deceit.

“Really? You ‘accidentally’ fell asleep in our bedroom, in our bed, in each other’s arms?”

“We were waiting for you! You were out so late, Rebecca was keeping me company. We were just talking in here and drifted off—it was completely innocent!”

His voice shook. The mate bond screamed his lies into my mind.

“Then why were there no calls? No messages? Too preoccupied with your old flame? If you were waiting for me, why not in the living room? Why in our private chambers?”

Edwards’ eyes flashed with anger. “Liana, you are being completely irrational!”

I could smell their mingled scents on my high-thread-count sheets, but thankfully, the bond wasn’t screaming with the agony of full betrayal. They hadn’t crossed the ultimate line—yet.

I turned to Rebecca. “I am back now. Unless you intend to share our mate bed?”

Rebecca clutched her face. “Edwards, it hurts so much.”

Playing the victim. It was her signature move.

Edwards nearly whimpered with concern. “Let me get some Moonpetal Salve.”

The moment they were gone, I sealed the bedroom with a line of smoldering Rowan Ash and engaged the security locks.

$10,000 in security upgrades. Money well spent.

I ripped every piece of bedding that held their scent from the bed and hurled it into the trash. Then I burned scent-blocking herbs and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Edwards confronted me. “What was that last night? I spent hours trying to get into our room! You woke the entire lodge!”

“Wasn’t that considerate of me? Giving you and Rebecca more time alone. You should be thanking me.”

“Are you insane? Why would I spend the night with Rebecca? You are my mate!”

“Oh, now I am your mate? I thought Rebecca’s return meant I was to be replaced.”

Rebecca played the peacemaker. “Please, do not fight. This trip should be a happy one. Do not let me be the cause of strife—I would feel just awful.”

“See how reasonable Rebecca is? Unlike your petty jealousy!” Edwards growled.

Harley chimed in. “Liana, your behavior is becoming unacceptable. Denying your mate the marital bed! Do not let it happen again—we will forgive you this once.”

Gideon snarled. “You have spoiled her! An Enforcer’s mate knows her place—no female dares deny her mate! Such insolence requires punishment. That would teach her some respect!”

Julia smirked. “Liana, with your temper and jealousy, my brother might just reject you as his mate.”

The very same sister I had raised and spoiled for five years.

Rebecca watched me with triumph in her eyes, already seeing herself in my place.

Edwards shoved the luggage toward me. “Hurry up, we must leave for the crossing point or we will be late.”

“Liana, you will carry all our bags,” Harley commanded. “The protected convoy has strict weight limits. You can take everything since you are traveling alone.”

I gazed at the eight massive, designer suitcases, each weighing over fifty pounds, and smiled. “Of course. You all go on ahead. I will be right behind you.”