Chapter 3

The next second, I saw the faint red mark on Dorian's neck.

My stomach turned, and I abruptly stepped away from his hand.

Dorian froze.

"Liora, what's wrong?"

I said nothing.

I turned and went into the kitchen, wanting to pour a glass of water to steady myself. But when I opened the fridge, my entire body stiffened.

The bitterleaf tea I usually drank was gone. In its place were bottles of Calista's favorite honey tonic, chilled deer milk, and cream puffs that probably only a pup would like.

I clung to the fridge door for support, almost drowning in the sour ache rising through me.

She had not only taken Dorian from me. Little by little, she had taken over our home too.

My phone vibrated then. I looked down and saw that Calista had posted another TikTok.

It was a photo of a table covered in moonstone boxes, each one shining under the light.

The caption read:

"My boyfriend spoiled me so much tonight."

"He bought me every piece of jewelry at the Moonshadow banquet auction."

"The shop owner saw how generous he was and gave him a bunch of little gifts too."

I stared at the photo as my fingertips slowly went cold.

When I zoomed in, I saw an inconspicuous necklace in the corner. It was exactly the same as the one Dorian had just given me.

So the necklace he said he had passed by the moonstone shop and thought I would like was just a free gift Calista had not wanted.

Dorian came into the kitchen just then and set his phone on the counter before going to wash his hands. Before I could put my own phone away, the screen of his phone lit up.

It was a message from Calista. She sent a shy emoji.

"I just bought that naughty little outfit you've been asking me to wear."

"I'll make it worth your while tonight."

I stared at those lines as another wave of nausea rolled through me. I set his phone back where it had been and wrapped my arms around myself.

Dorian walked up behind me then. He must have finally noticed something was wrong, because his voice became very gentle.

"Liora, are you tired today?"

"Let me carry you upstairs, okay?"

He reached out to help me, his movements as tender as they had been countless times before.

If I had not seen the red mark on his neck, the honey tonic and chilled deer milk in the fridge, and Calista's message just now, I probably would have believed, as I always had, that he truly cherished me.

Before I could answer, Dorian's phone lit up again.

He glanced at the screen, and the hand resting at my waist tensed slightly. Then he kissed me softly.

"Liora, something urgent came up at the pack border. I need to go out for a while."

I nodded lightly.

"All right. Go."

Dorian kissed my forehead, then turned and went downstairs.

For some reason, I suddenly wanted to follow him. I held onto the wall as I stood, pulled on a coat, and slowly went down the stairs.

The door at the end of the back corridor was half-open. Wind slipped through the crack, carrying Calista's familiar moonbell scent.

I stood in the shadows and heard her soft laugh.

"Didn't you say you were staying with my sister tonight?"

Dorian did not answer. The next second, he pressed Calista against the corridor pillar. The cloak slipped from her shoulders, revealing the sheer lace slip beneath.

She lifted her face, hooked her fingers around his collar, and spoke in a sweet, teasing voice.

"You're so bold. Doing this here? What if she finds out?"

Dorian's voice was thick with desire.

"She won't find out. You really are a little minx, Calista. I’m gonna fuck you so hard tonight."

What happened next felt like my heart being carved open, one cut at a time. Tears poured down my face, and my throat burned.

In that moment, I finally gave up on him completely.

Nausea surged up so violently that I had to press a hand over my mouth.

Then a dull ache pulsed low in my abdomen, reminding me that I could not let myself sink any further.

I was carrying a pup now. I had to protect more than my own broken heart.

Back in the room, I opened the flight confirmation again and stared at the departure time.

Two days.

In two days, I would leave.

After that, Dorian and I would never see each other again.