After my heart transplant, Joey Hudson, the Lycan Prince, cherished me deeply.

It was because the heart he gave me was his mate Aspen’s last gift.

But when he returned from battle, he brought back a woman.

A woman who looked exactly like Aspen.

He said he would take my heart again, so Aspen could live once more.

---

Joey returned from the battlefield.

Overjoyed, I ran out barefoot, my heart pounding.

But as I turned the corner, I overheard the whispers of the pack’s Omegas.

“Did you see? Prince Joey’s back!”

“And he brought a woman with him!”

“I saw her too. The resemblance… it’s uncanny.”

“What’ll happen to the girl in the guesthouse now?”

They spotted me and immediately scattered, their faces pale with guilt.

My legs trembled as I stood in the snow, my bare feet freezing against the icy ground. I looked ahead, and there he was—Joey, with a woman by his side.

He leaned down, brushing the snowflakes from her hair with a tenderness I hadn’t seen in years. Then he took her hands in his, cupping them close to his lips to warm them with his breath.

I stood frozen, staring at her face.

She was the spitting image of the woman in the portrait that hung in Joey’s room—Aspen, his mate.

My breath hitched, and I dug my claws into my palms, the pain grounding me as a bitter ache spread through my chest.

So, you’ve never stopped searching for someone like her.

I lowered my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow, and I turned away, retreating to my room.

I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting from dusk till midnight.

The tenth candle on the table had burned out when Joey finally appeared.

I rubbed my tired eyes and forced a smile, rising to greet him.

“Joey, you’re here!”

“I’m glad I didn’t fall asleep waiting.”

He gave a faint nod but didn’t reach for me, his gaze distant and cold.

My heart clenched painfully, but I refused to let the disappointment show.

I tugged at his sleeve, eager to show him the new blanket I’d made.

“Look, Joey, three years ago, before you left, you promised me that when you returned victorious, we’d be marked as mates.”

“I’ve made ten blankets since then, and now you’re finally back!”

His expression remained indifferent, and I felt my hope slipping away.

He wasn’t here to fulfill a promise.

He was here to take back what he’d given me—the heart that had once belonged to Aspen.

He glanced at me briefly, then abruptly withdrew his hand, cutting me off.

"Rory, the mark ceremony... it’ll have to wait."

My heart sank, and my eyes instantly welled up as I looked at him.

"Joey, how much longer? It’s already been three years."

"How much more do I have to wait for you?"

He turned and sat down, his brows furrowed, his voice cold and distant.

"Rory, you’ve never asked this before."

"Besides, if you’ve waited three years, what’s a little more?"

"The pack’s affairs are overwhelming me right now."

"Be understanding, Rory. Don’t make this harder for me."

My hands trembled as I clutched the edge of the bed, my chest aching. I forced a smile and looked down.

After a long pause, I swallowed my pride and stepped forward, extending my shaky hands.

"Alright, Joey, I’ll wait. No matter how long, I’ll wait."

"Focus on your duties. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be understanding."

His expression softened, but once again, he ignored my outstretched hands.

Instead, he pressed a cold, emotionless kiss to my forehead.

"Good girl, Rory. I knew you wouldn’t make this difficult for me."

"I have some things to attend to. I’ll come see you another time."

With that, he stood and moved toward the door.

My hands shook as I took one last step forward, grabbing the edge of his shirt.

He turned his head, his tone impatient. "Rory, is there something else?"

I lowered my gaze, forcing a bitter smile, and let my hands fall to my sides.

"No, nothing. Go ahead. I’ll be fine."

He didn’t look back. His movement stirred a chilly breeze as he walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart in pieces.

I stumbled a few steps forward, leaning against the doorframe, my chest aching as if it had been torn apart.

No, it can’t be. He’s just busy.

He won’t abandon me. He’ll make me his mate.

Rory, you have to believe in him, just like you did three years ago.