chapter 2

Early that morning, Bella woke up to loud shouting outside.

She pushed open the wooden window of Riverstone Villa and spotted chaos in the neighbor's yard. A messy-furred she-wolf had her teeth sunk into a male werewolf's leg, her growl cracking into words, "I gave you three kids! You swore you'd only stay with me!"

The Alpha yanked his paw free, looking annoyed and smug. "Stop acting crazy. I'm Alpha—I can have a few Omegas if I want. You're still my Luna. Isn't that enough?"

More werewolves gathered to watch, and the Alpha's pride seemed to crack under the whispers. With a hard swipe, he knocked the female werewolf to the ground. "Keep making a scene, and I'll kick you out of the pack!"

Bella couldn't look away until warm hands suddenly covered her ears from behind.

"Bella. Don't listen to that garbage."

She didn't turn. Her voice was quiet. "Is this how all werewolves act?"

Ryan froze for a moment, then gently turned her to face him. His eyes locked on hers, deadly serious. "I can't speak for anyone else," he said firmly, "but I'd never do that. Bella, in this life, you're the only mate I'll ever have."

"You're really saying you'll only love me for the rest of your life? But a lifetime is so long."

Ryan pulled her into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "Yeah, it's long, but you're the only one I want."

Bella laughed softly, though it carried a bitter edge. "And if you betray me? What then?"

"If I ever betray you, may I fall to the bottom, nothing more than a filthy Rogue, cursed in pain forever."

Knowing the truth now, those words stabbed her straight in the heart.

"Ryan ... you dare say that? Aren't you scared it'll come true?"

Ryan gave a low chuckle. "It won't. No one knows better than I do how much I love you. If you doubt me, I'll rip out my heart and show you. And if that's not enough—I'll give you my life."

Give her his life?

Then, why couldn't he even keep his pants on?

His body still reeked of another woman's touch, while his lips fed Bella the sweetest lies.

"Bella. Alpha. What are you doing?"

The sharp voice cut through the moment.

Both of them turned their heads and saw Liliana leaning against the doorway, wearing a fiery red backless fur dress.

Bella clearly noticed Ryan's body tense for a second. Then, with a small frown, he asked, "Isn't today a weekend? Where are you planning to go dressed up like that?"

His tone came off like a jealous husband grilling his wife about her outfit.

Picking up on the jealousy in his voice, Liliana let out a shy little laugh. "There's a pack social party tonight," she said playfully. "I'm just going to see if I can find a decent Omega there."

Ryan's face darkened, but Liliana only smiled wider. "Oh, Bella—do you two have plans today?"

Snapping back, Ryan laced his fingers through Bella's. "We're visiting Nightshade Mansion."

Liliana smirked, muttered her goodbyes, and slipped out.

Half an hour later, Ryan drove Bella to Nightshade Mansion.

Ryan's Mom, Eloise Kingswell was known for being cold and old-fashioned, and she had never accepted Bella, a human mate. Every meeting ended the same—her icy stare cutting Bella down.

This time was no different. As soon as they stepped in, his parents, laughing just seconds earlier, went silent and hard-faced.

Seeing the icy look toward Bella, Ryan's lost his patience. "Enough. If you keep treating her like this, we won't come back."

"You—" Eloise shook with rage.

Connor Kingswell slammed the table, voice like thunder. "How dare you! Would you really abandon your parents for a woman?"

Ryan gripped Bella's hand tightly, his voice firm. "She's my destined mate. I don't even dare raise my voice at her, and this is how you treat her? Are you trying to break my heart?

"If this happens again, I'll leave this pack behind and take Bella far away."