On the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, Kain showed up late—with Lena stuck to his side.

Her lips were swollen, and fresh red marks scratched across his collarbone.

Wolves nearby traded smirks.

No question what they'd been doing in the shadows.

In my past life, I would've stormed over, ripped off their masks, demanded why they'd humiliate me at my own ceremony.

Now? I glanced once, then looked away like they were dust on my boots.

Kain caught that flicker. His hand shot out, shifting Lena behind him.

When I didn't flinch, he got twitchy. Then laughed, low and mean. "What, Eve? Playing saint now 'cause you're scared I won't be your mate? Don't be dumb. How about this..."

He leaned in, voice dropping, eyes crawling over me. "After the ceremony, meet me behind the mountain—at the hot spring. Don't wear anything. If your body's worth it, maybe I'll let you in my bed."

Lena pouted, tugging his sleeve. "Kain, how can you say that? Isn't my body better than hers?"

Kain grinned, pinching her cheek. "Of course you're better. A thousand times. That hot spring? It's yours. I even had herbs thrown in. Just waited on your leg to heal."

Lena lit up, tossed me a smug little look.

The wolves around us cracked up—whistles, filthy jokes flying like knives.

The sound hit like a switch. My past life slammed back.

He'd done this before—humiliated me in front of the pack. Treated me like some chew toy.

I'd shaken with rage. He'd just laughed, said my shame turned him on.

Someone tried to defend me once. Kain shut them down, called me a heat-chaser who begged for his scraps.

Pathetic.

I turned to walk away—then his hand clamped around my wrist.

"Still pretending?" His grip tightened, bone-deep. "A wolf like you can't fake what you are."

I yanked my hand free, knuckles white. "Watch your mouth."

He smirked. "Respect? Didn't you throw your whole life away begging to bond with me? If you're crawling into my bed anyway, why fake innocence now?"

"Who said I'm bonding with you?"

Silence hit like a blade to the throat.

Then—laughter. Loud, ugly, everywhere.

Kain laughed the hardest. "Not bonding with me? Then who? Everyone knows you'd die for me. What—Cayce?"

He snorted. "Cayce's been rotting in the Black Forest for years. Everyone says he's feral. Skinned a Graveclaw wolf who challenged him and left the carcass hanging.

"You planning to bond with HIM? Trying to get yourself killed early?"

"What, nothing to say?" Kain sneered. "Didn't you have all that fire a second ago? Or are you finally scared?"

Lena slipped in, voice syrupy sweet. "Eve probably remembered the stories about Cayce."

She gave Kain's sleeve a dainty tug, but her eyes drilled into me. "If she really bonds with him, there might not even be bones left to bury."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. A few young wolves whistled, right on cue.

In my past life, I probably would've lunged at Lena and yanked her hair out. But this time?

Different.

"Who I choose isn't your business," I said, cool and steady—even I was surprised.

Lena's smile twitched. Then she grabbed her chest and started coughing, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

"Eve, don't be like that," she whispered, eyes glistening. "I was just worried about you... You did take a hunter's silver dagger for Kain, remember?"

I turned to go.

Her gasp hit first.

Then her wine cup slipped—just as it fell, she leaned hard into me.

Next thing I knew, she stumbled back like I'd shoved her—and dropped to the floor with a dramatic thud.

"Eve!" Lena's wail split the air, tears streaking down her face. "Even if you hate me, you can't push me! My leg—it hurts so bad!"

Kain's face darkened. He stepped in front of her like a shield, fury rolling off him. "Really, Eve? That jealous now?"

He scooped her up like she was moon-touched, pain in his eyes. "She's your SISTER!"

Lena was just my cousin, but once she moved in, everyone assumed otherwise.

Behind his shoulder, Lena peeked out—smirking.

I couldn't help it. I laughed. "Didn't even touch her."

"Still lying?" Kain grabbed my wrist. "The whole pack knows you're jealous of Lena. If you hadn't clung to me back then, I wouldn't have even noticed you."

Lena tugged his arm, voice all tremble. "Kain, don't. Eve's probably just... upset. She always thought you'd pick her."

Soft words. Sharper than claws.

Whispers started up—same ones from before. That I was forcing the mate bond, hiding behind my father's name. That I couldn't handle my own "sister."

These rumors stuck like spit from jealous she-wolves—filthy and hard to scrub off.

Kain's rage snapped. He raised his hand—and slapped me across the face, hard.

"You'd better behave. Touch Lena again, and I'll throw you out of Silvermoon Pack myself."

The sting on my cheek spread like fire. I wanted to hit back.

But out of the corner of my eye, I saw the guests shifting around the venue. This was my coming-of-age ceremony. Causing a scene would only drag the Abell name through the dirt.

Lena stayed tucked behind Kain, that smirk still playing on her lips. She leaned into his chest like she rehearsed it.

Kain's hand hovered midair—maybe he realized he'd gone too far. His throat bobbed, like words were stuck.

But Lena rose onto her toes and whimpered, "Kain, my leg hurts so bad... What if I never walk again?"

Her fingers curled around his wrist, pulling every bit of his attention.

The whispers crashed in like waves. Their stares hit like poisoned needles, stabbing into my skin.

"No manners. She'd go after her own sister over a mate."

"As if she ever had a shot. Kain would never choose her."

Kain threw me a disgusted glare. "Why are you still standing there? If something happens to Lena, you'll regret it."

His pack of followers jumped in, loud and eager.

"Yeah, apologize to Lena!"

"You think you can cling to our next Alpha just 'cause your dad took a silver arrow for his?"

I remembered everything—breaking myself for Kain, training like hell just to scare off anyone who dared glance his way.

Thought being ruthless meant love. Now it just felt sad.

He stepped in close, eyes all beast and venom. "Father's about to announce our engagement. Be smart—stay in your lane."

Then quieter, smug as ever, "Once the bond's sealed, I'll give you the rank you deserve. Just don't mess with me and Lena."

I stared him down, locked on those eyes.

A horn blasted, long and hollow.

The Beta strode in.

"Miss Abell, it's time."

His cloudy eyes landed on my bruised cheek—pity flickered.

Behind him, a figure in black. Hood low. Jaw sharp as sin.

A silver-etched blade strapped across his back. Wolf fang pendant swaying like it had a heartbeat.

Cayce Moonfang.

Theron's oldest. Just back from the Black Forest.

Silence hit like a punch.

A few pups up front nearly dropped. Someone fumbled a wine bowl—crash. Flames hissed as the liquor met fire.

Even the Beta twitched.

Everyone knew what Cayce was capable of.

He'd just skinned a challenger from Graveclaw Pack. Still reeked of blood.

Cayce stopped right in front of me. His blade flipped once, smooth. The sheath tapped my arm—barely.

"What happened to your face?" Voice sharp, cut-glass serious. His icy stare sliced straight through me.

I met those deep blue eyes—and saw it. The memory. Him storming the dungeon bloodied and wild, holding my dead body like it broke him.

He went rogue for me.

"It's nothing." I forced a smile, tried to hide the bruise.

Kain scoffed, sliding between us. "Cayce, Eve's my problem. Don't stress."

He squared up. "She's about to be my mate. I've got it handled."

The Beta frowned, about to speak, but Cayce shut him down with one look.

He dropped his hood. Angles sharp. Expression sharper. "Dad sent me. Said the Abell girl's ceremony's a pack matter. Let's move."

I walked past Kain, steps steady.

He leaned toward Lena and muttered, "See? Still knows how to obey."