Chapter 3

I scrolled through more of the she-wolf's posts but found them predictable.

After a long shower, I went to bed, praying for sleep.

But Frank arrived just as I was drifting off.

I heard his heavy footsteps on the floor above and pretended to be asleep.

Soon, I heard the rustle of his clothes being discarded.

Moments later, the bed dipped as he sat down and pulled me against him.

His skin carried the scent of the sandalwood I'd bought him, but it was tainted with the cloying aroma of wild jasmine.

It was not my scent.

The thought was a venomous snake: had he held her just like this? Was her scent clinging to his very soul?

The idea made my stomach churn.

Without a word, I pulled away from his embrace, rejecting his touch for the very first time.

Before, I would have melted into him the moment he lay down. I would have buried my face in his neck, breathing in the scent of my Alpha.

But now, I couldn't stand it.

He went rigid behind me, his confusion a palpable wave, and he tried to pull me back.

"Don't hold me. I can't get comfortable," I lied, my eyes still closed.

He shot up, his anger flaring instantly. "What is wrong with you? Did you hear some rumor? Did I do something to offend you?"

I couldn't make myself speak. What would I ask? Who is that she-wolf? Does our Bond mean anything to you?

At this point, the questions felt useless.

"I've been managing operations all day and was up late with the trade proposal. I'm exhausted," I said, my voice empty. "Please, don't turn this into a fight. I just need to sleep."

He exploded. "You're acting insane! I just wanted to hold my Luna, and now I'm the villain?"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door and leaving me in the cold.

In the past, I would have chased after him, grabbing his hand, begging him not to be angry.

But now, I just pulled the blankets tight around myself and willed myself to sleep.

My own rest was more important.

The chasm between us seemed to grow wider now, and neither of us tried to cross it.

We existed in that strange, cold silence.

For the next week, Frank didn't come home for dinner or send a single message. When he passed me at the office, he offered only a short, dismissive glance.

Pack members whispered, wondering if we had fought, or if it was because of the conference call incident.

But the young she-wolf kept posting updates on The Howl.

I thought the silence would last forever, until one evening when I received a notice from the Elders about the Mistwood Foundation's annual charity gala.

I knew I had to contact Frank, but my message was met with complete silence.

Reluctantly, I drove to the Alpha's Villa he kept from before our Mating.

It was his retreat after every argument, and this time was no different.