After the gathering, everyone noticed the change in me. 

My wolf no longer answered Dorian’s calls. He tagged me three times in the pack channel, and I ignored him. 

When he returned, there were no moonlight lamps for me. The kitchen held no warm broth. I did not even leave the studio to greet him. 

He found me the next evening. 

“Vivienne,” he said softly at the studio door. 

I did not turn. 

“What is it?” 

I did not set down my charcoal, did not remove the snow-dusted coat from him, and did not press his cold fingertips to my wolf pulse. I did not look at him. 

“Everything Seraphina said that day was nonsense,” he continued, stepping inside. His boots thudded on the floor. “She has always been jealous of your blood, your talent, the fact that Blackthorn chose you. She stole your previous mates to spite you. Now, she says these things to provoke you.” 

He paused. “There was nothing between us. I only helped her. She had no pack of her own.” 

My charcoal froze mid-stroke. 

“It does not matter.” 

His wolf pupils contracted. I could feel the pressure of his claim pressing against my wolf. 

“Are you sulking? I haven’t had dinner with you in days, Vivienne.” 

Before I could respond, his phone rang. 

Seraphina’s name flashed on the screen. 

Dorian hesitated for only a second before answering. 

Her voice came through, soft and helpless. 

“Dorian… the moonlit roses for tonight’s ceremony were ruined. Can you bring fresh ones when you pass Moonstone Street? Without them, the ceremony won’t be complete.” 

Dorian’s brow twitched. His body turned toward the door, but at the threshold, he stopped. 

“Vivienne… go to sleep first. Don’t wait for me.” 

Before I could reply, the door closed. 

In the corner of the studio, my assistant Nina put down her charcoal. Her wolf its teeth in anger. 

“How can the Alpha do this? That woman—” 

“It is nothing.” 

My voice was quiet. When I looked down, the sketches were soaked. Black ink streaked across the sheets, smudging every line. 

Dorian had claimed Seraphina. He hid it from me. Their pup was already runningbared through the territory. 

I wiped my tears. My wolf bristled inside me, shaking off his lingering scent. 

From that moment, I would shed no more blood or tears for him.