Sophia vanished for a week.

I only knew where she was because I saw her in Daniel's posts on X-hanging off his arm at a gala, hiking with him, sailing on some yacht. In one photo, she's got his jacket draped over her shoulders, standing close, her head tilted toward him, their vibe way too cozy.

Her long hair spilled over his arm, and her eyes sparkled with a joy I'd never seen.

Her germ phobia? Guess it doesn't apply to him.

Normally, I'd have raced to the old house, trying to win her back with some dumb gesture. Not this time. I blocked Daniel's posts and started counting down the days until our bond was severed.

On day eight, my phone rang. Sophia's voice was brisk. "Meet me. Auction's today."

I opened my mouth to say no, but she'd already hung up. Grudgingly, I headed out. When I got to her car, I reached for the passenger door, but the window rolled down, and there was Daniel, smirking.

"Hey, Andrew. Sophia figured I'd be bored, so she's bringing me along to the auction. Hope we're not crashing your vibe."

"Nah, you're good," I said, my voice flat. I slid into the backseat, ignoring the sting of not riding shotgun.

Sophia kept sneaking glances at me in the rearview mirror, probably thrown by how calm I was.

I popped on sunglasses, leaned back, and closed my eyes, tuning out the world.

She and Daniel chatted the whole way, her voice warm, laughing at his stories about their week together.

I just gritted my teeth, swallowing the hurt.

At the auction, Sophia fussed over Daniel, guiding him to his seat like he was pack royalty. I trailed behind, feeling like a stray. My seat was on the edge, Daniel in the middle, Sophia glued to his side.

I flipped through the auction catalog, spotting a few pieces I liked. But every time I thought about bidding, Daniel's voice cut in.

"Sophia, this one's slick."

"Sophia, doesn't this match my gray suit?"

"Sophia, I want that one."

She bid on everything he pointed out, her patience endless.

Me? I might as well have been invisible.

Near the end, she glanced my way, like she suddenly remembered why she'd brought me. Daniel, smirking, handed me a pair of cufflinks from his pile of winnings.

"Andrew, you didn't bid on anything. Don't like the selection? Take these. Don't go home empty-handed."

My grip tightened on the auction paddle, the edge slicing my finger. Blood dripped, but I forced a smile. "Thanks, but I'm good."

I stormed off to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to keep from losing it. As I was about to leave, I overheard Daniel's voice from a stall, smug as hell.

"I went after Sophia's sister, Grace, 'cause she was the Lewis pack heir. Got her drunk, slept with her, locked that in. But Grace turned cold after we bound ourselves. No big deal-Sophia's the backup. She thinks I saved her life once, so she's all over me. I keep her dangling, and she eats it up. Andrew's a Johnson pack prince, but so what? She-wolves don't want what's easy. They chase what they can't have."

My blood boiled.

I pulled out my phone, hit record, and let his words burn into the file.

Sophia showered Daniel with a haul of collectibles worth a fortune, and he couldn't resist showing off to his buddies.

When he stepped out of the bathroom and saw me standing there, his face went pale, his phone clattering to the floor.

"You. you heard everything?"

I shot him a cold look and turned to leave.

Panic flashing in his eyes. He lunged forward, grabbing my arm. "You gonna run to Sophia and snitch? You think she'll believe you?"

I gripped my phone tighter, the recording burning a hole in my pocket. "If you're so sure she won't, why're you shaking?"

His eyes darted over my shoulder, and before I could react, he yanked my hand and slapped himself hard across the face.

He stumbled back, collapsing dramatically, clutching his cheek like I'd decked him.

"Andrew, I swear, there's nothing between me and Sophia. She just felt sorry for me, gave me a few nice things. I know I'm no match for a rich wolf like you. Don't be mad. I'll give it all back, I swear. I won't dare again."

Before I could process his act, Sophia's voice cut through.

"Daniel!"

She rushed over, shoving me aside.

I wasn't ready for it.My side slammed into the edge of the sink, pain shooting through me, my face draining of color.

I looked up, and there she was, helping Daniel to his feet, not caring about the grime he'd picked up from the floor. She fussed over him like he was fragile, precious.

Daniel played it up, pushing her hands away.

"Sophia, let go-don't let Andrew get the wrong idea."

She spun on me, her eyes like daggers. "Andrew, who gave you the right to throw punches?"

I clutched my side, pain throbbing. "I didn't-"

She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. "I saw it with my own eyes. You gonna lie to my face?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but her icy glare stopped me cold. What was the point? She'd never believe me.

She grabbed Daniel's hand, pulling him away, her voice soft with concern. "I'm taking you to a healer."

Daniel leaned into her, glancing back at me with a smirk, mouthing, "You lose."

I swallowed the pain, limping downstairs to catch a cab to a healer for my side. But before I could even reach the street, two wolves jumped me.

A damp cloth clamped over my face, reeking of chemicals. My breath hitched, my vision blurred, and everything went black.

When I came to, I was in a strange room, hands and feet bound, slumped on the floor. One wolf stood over me, filming with his phone. Another stepped forward and cracked me across the face.

The sting burned, my head snapping to the side. He grabbed my collar, yanking me close.

"Who. who are you?" I rasped.

He sneered. "Andrew, you pissed off the wrong wolf."

Daniel's smug face flashed in my mind. Who else could it be?

Before I could speak, he hit me again. And again. My mouth filled with the taste of blood, my head spinning. I couldn't get a word out.

Just when I thought it was over, he grabbed my right hand. Dread coiled in my gut. A sickening crack echoed as he snapped my wrist.

I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat as I collapsed, twitching in agony.

As my vision faded, I heard one of them on the phone, voice respectful. "Sophia, the wolf who hurt Daniel's been dealt with."

Her voice came through, cool and familiar. "Good. Get him to a healer."

Tears slid down my face.

The one who broke me was my mate.