Chapter 1

• Camellia's POV
• I stared at the empty Ironclaw packhouse, disappointment clawing at my chest.
• The full moon hung heavy in the sky. I'd hoped my mate Esmond would be here with me.
• Three days ago, I caught a whiff of unfamiliar verbena on his collar. I didn't know what it meant, but it left a knot in my stomach.
• Strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist from behind.
• The scent of damp pine needles and smoky oak flooded my senses—Esmond's scent.
• His heated body pressed against mine as his teeth grazed my earlobe, sending sparks down my spine.
• His lips brushed the nape of my neck. I shivered.
• "Where do you want me tonight, sweetheart? By the window or on the couch?" His voice rumbled against my skin, his breath hot.
• Before I could answer, he scooped me up and dropped me onto the leather sofa, his shadow looming over me.
• "Since you're being quiet, I'll pick the couch." His amber eyes glowed with that primal hunger all wolves carried during the full moon.
• Our mate bond pulsed stronger under the moon's pull, but it wasn't enough.
• My wolf, Lyra, whined in my mind, craving the deeper connection we still lacked.
• I arched into his kiss, breath ragged.
• "Will you finally mark me tonight?"
• "Soon," he growled, trailing kisses down my throat. "Like I promised—after you're carrying our heir. My father's itching to meet Ironclaw's future alpha."
• His fingers slid toward the zipper of my dress.
• "Wait—we're in the packhouse," I protested, pushing weakly at his chest.
• His thumb traced the faint crescent scar on my neck—the temporary mark he left during our bonding ceremony.
• "Meet me in our room. I'll wash off the patrol stench." He kissed me once more before disappearing down the hall.
• I nodded. Lyra stirred restlessly.
• Alone in our bedroom, I stared at my reflection. The pale scar on my neck shimmered like ghostly fang marks—never deep enough to solidify our bond.
• Lyra whimpered in my head, the hollow ache spreading through my ribs.
• "He's holding back," she hissed. "Why won't he claim us?"
• Esmond's vow echoed in my mind. "Once you give me an heir, I'll make you mine completely—no more half-hearted marks."
• "Maybe tonight, Lyra," I said.
• I folded Esmond's discarded leather jacket.
• A slip of paper fluttered to the floor. My blood froze.
• It was a business card. It read "Hazel Berry."
• I flipped it over. Scrawled on the back, "When the moon swells full, I can't control how badly my wolf wants you. The same way yours wants me."
• The faint tang of verbena hit my nose.
• The card almost slipped from my trembling fingers.
• Who's Hazel? She wasn't part of Ironclaw.
• My mind raced through possibilities—business partner? Distant cousin? Pack ally?—but none made sense.
• I paced, clutching the card.
• Tonight was the full moon. Answers would come.
• I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Then, I wrote down the number on that card.
• The door slammed open.
• Esmond stood framed in moonlight, water glistening on his sculpted torso. His eyes burned with restless energy.
• "Babe, emergency at the company. Gotta handle it." He pulled me into a quick hug, his touch colder than usual.
• It felt like a knife had stabbed my heart. Disappointment and sadness washed over me like a tidal wave.
• "Can't it wait? It's the full moon—"
• "Wish it could. Be back soon." His kiss grazed my forehead before he vanished.
• The moment his footsteps faded, the temporary mark ignited.
• Burning pain shot through my veins, scorching my throat and nearly suffocating me.
• Edmund was gone. The room was eerily quiet, except for the rustling of leaves outside the window.
• Suddenly, my chest started to ache. The pain was drilling into my bones, making it hard to breathe.
• Then the visions hit—a tangled bedsheet, Esmond's hands buried in golden hair, Hazel's breathy moans.
• "He's with her!" Lyra howled. "Our mate betrayed us!"