Chapter 2
Even though I’d told myself a thousand times to let it go, the grief still drowned me like a rising
tide.
I sat at the table crying and ate every last bite of the meal I’d cooked–each spoonful soaked in salt
and tears.
When the plates were clean, I went right back into the kitchen and started cooking again. Like if I just kept chopping and stirring, I wouldn’t feel so hollow.
At some point, I passed out on the couch, apron still on, flour on my fingertips.
I was barely asleep when the living room light flicked on.
Landon came through the door, dragging two suitcases behind him. And right on his heels was
Kendra.
“Julissa,” he said casually, “Kendra’s place lost power. She’s gonna be staying here with us for the
next three days.”
He didn’t even flinch before adding, “She’s hungry. Said she wants oatmeal. Make her some?”
I dragged my exhausted body toward the kitchen, my limbs moving out of instinct.
After all these years, making food for Landon had become second nature.
But when I opened the fridge, it was empty.
That’s when I remembered I’d used up every last ingredient earlier, cooking like a woman
possessed.
I stood frozen, staring at the bare shelves. Landon came up behind me, wrapping his arms around
my waist. When he got a good look at my face, he went still.
My eyelids were swollen, my eyes rimmed in red.
He lifted my hand to his lips, concern written all over his face. “Julissa, just hang in there, okay?
The Oblivion Drop should kick in soon.”
“Once her surgery’s done, my debt to her is paid.”
Then, like it meant something, he hugged me tighter and offered to go out with me to restock the
kitchen.
But as we reached the door, Kendra’s voice chimed in from behind us. “Landon, I don’t want to stay
here alone. Can I come with you?”
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Without hesitation, Landon dropped my hand and turned back to her, pulling her into his arms like
I didn’t exist.
“She’s still not feeling well,” he said, voice low. “Julissa, can you go by yourself? I don’t want her
getting chilled.”
My voice came out flat. “Seriously? You think I’m fine walking out there alone?”
He blinked, guilt flickering through his eyes. But it didn’t last long.
“You’ll be okay,” he murmured. “Just… hang in there for me, alright?”
I bit down a bitter laugh and grabbed a flashlight and my self–defense gear.
Then I walked out into the night–alone.
Every step through the darkness wrapped tighter around my chest, the memories clawing their way
back up.
The last time I walked home alone at night, I was nearly attacked by a rogue. Almost dragged into. the woods and violated. I didn’t sleep for three days.
Landon stayed by my side that entire week. Skipped every pack meeting just to help me recover.
He’d held me and sworn up and down that he’d never let me walk in the dark alone again.
But here I was.
He’d broken that promise, too.
By the time I got back, arms full of groceries, Kendra was already asleep in our room.
Landon stood awkwardly by the fridge, guilt written all over his face.
“I know that wasn’t easy,” he said quietly as he took the bags from me. “I shouldn’t have let you go
alone… I’m sorry.”
I stared at him, my throat too tight to speak.
I didn’t know if bonding with Landon had been a blessing or a curse.
But I knew this much–when I knelt in front of Kendra and begged her to save his life, our fate was already sealed.
He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my head away.
“I’m tired. You should get some rest too,” I said quietly, walking toward our bedroom.
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I reached for the handle, but he stepped in front of the door.
“Kendra’s sleeping in there.”
I let out a sharp breath and forced a smile laced with venom. “Right.”
I turned and walked into the guest room.
I was just starting to drift off when I heard soft shuffling beside me.
Landon slid under the covers and pulled me into his arms, pressing my back to his chest like nothing had changed.
For a split second, I was back in the dungeon with him.
The year he was too weak to lead, the pack had called for an Alpha Trial. While we waited for judgment, we were kept in confinement–just the two of us in a cell with a single narrow bed. I’d slept right on top of him every night, pressed against his heart like it was the only warmth in the
world.
Back then, it felt like home.
Now, it just made my skin crawl.
I pushed him off and got up, walking to the balcony for air.
And that’s when I heard her voice, soft and pitiful, playing from his phone inside the room.
“Landon… I had a nightmare. I need Julissa’s bracelet to protect me. Please.”
I looked down at the moonstone bracelet wrapped around my wrist.
It was the first gift Landon ever gave me–handmade, every detail shaped by his own hands. He’d spent weeks carving it, slicing his palms more than once just to get the design perfect.
When it was finally done, he took it to the Moon Temple and blessed it under the stars, like it meant
something sacred.
Back then, he swore I’d never take it off. Said it was a piece of him, meant to stay with me forever.
Now, he slid up behind me on the balcony, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. “Julissa, can I borrow the bracelet? I’ll have the elders look at it–maybe bless it again or something.”
He didn’t even wait for my answer–just unfastened it from my wrist with his own hands.
The bracelet hadn’t left my body in five years.
I didn’t call him out. Didn’t ask why.
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I just smiled politely and said, “Sure.”
Landon once promised he’d be honest with me for the rest of our lives.
But like so many other things, that promise was already broken.
