Chapter 2
Rebecca’s POV
Before I could say a word, he had already painted me as the villain.
Hadn’t he already turned his back on me the moment he asked to hold the mating ceremony with Elara first?
For six years, on every birthday, he had promised, “Next year, I’ll make you my Luna.”
But every “next year“, he found a new excuse to avoid meeting my parents or setting a date.
He said I was still young and he didn’t want to tie me down too early.
He said he needed time to stabilize the pack so he could give me a better life and reassure my family.
Every excuse sounded like it was for my sake.
I had loved him enough to believe it–I even kept talking Travis down whenever he was about to beat Jonah up.
After six years of waiting, friends joked we’d hit the ‘cold moon phase‘ before even mating, when he finally announced me as the future Luna before the pack.
The mating ceremony was set. Everything was being prepared.
Yet he still refused to meet my parents, saying he wanted to surprise them at the ceremony.
Then, out of nowhere, Elara came back–with her terminally ill mother.
And I realized I had been a fool.
I let out a bitter laugh and pulled out the silver dagger from Jonah’s drawer.
“Relax. I have no interest in marrying a man who’s already been claimed.”
The word “claimed” must have stung, because Jonah’s expression tightened as he snapped:
“How many times do I have to explain this? It’s a fake ceremony! Once it’s over, I’ll be completely yours. What more do you want?”
“I get it. Go seal the mate bond. You might as well put on a convincing show.”
I smiled, so calm it made Jonah’s hand tremble as he reached for the dagger.
Almost guiltily, he added, “I won’t truly seal the bond with Elara. It’s just a formality under the Moon Tree-”
A formality that required a silver knife?
To seal a mate bond, both parties had to slice their palms with a silver blade and clasp hands, letting their blood mix. I shrugged. “Sure.”
My indifference unsettled him. He stepped closer, intending to kiss me-
But Elara, who must have been eavesdropping, burst in and shoved between us.
She put just enough force into it to send me stumbling back while she “accidentally” collided with Jonah.
He reacted fast, catching her and the two of them fell together, tangled on the floor.
I watched coldly as Elara sat on Jonah’s lap, face flushed, whispering just loud enough for me to hear:
“Jonah, your abs are still as hard as I remember…”
Jonah gave an awkward cough, but his hands stayed firmly on her waist.
Elara cast him a bashful glance, then turned to me with tears in her eyes:
Rebecca, I’m so sorry! If you’re angry, take it out on me, not Jonah! What if he got hurt?”
Disgusted by the pathetic display, I pushed myself off the ground and walked toward the door.
“If he’s hurt, you can check for yourself. Should I close the door on my way out?”
Jonah’s face, already flushed with lust, darkened further–whether from rage or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell. Chapter 2
2.47%
“Rebecca! Must you be so vulgar?”
Me, vulgar?
He’d gotten excited in under thirty seconds. Who was the vulgar one here?
I shut the door behind me.
As I reached the stairs, Elara rushed out, her lips suspiciously swollen.
“Rebecca, I’m so sorry. Please don’t misunderstand. That was a total accident! If it weren’t for my mother insisting she won’t rest in peace unless she sees us seal the mate bond, I’d never trouble Alpha Jonah like this. Please, I’m begging you–don’t cause a scene at the mating ceremony! Once it’s done, I’ll break the bond and return Jonah to you!”
She even dropped to her knees.
Before her knees touched the ground, Jonah ran over, scooped her into his arms, and glared at me.
“From now until the ceremony, you’re confined to the packhouse. I’ll have the beta post warriors to keep an eye on you.”
