chapter 4

Simona said nothing, her sharp nails digging into her palms until they stung, though the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

Dorian remained silent, while Rowena, sitting beside him, smiled and said to Simona, "I never realized Dorian was so popular back in school. I guess it's my fault for leaving Ironclaw Pack for the north during those years."

Simona froze for a moment, then forced out an awkward, strained smile.

Rowena knew their relationship better than anyone. By deliberately saying that in front of everyone, she was just claiming Dorian's favor for herself.

She knew that no matter what she said, Dorian wouldn't contradict her, so she acted without restraint.

Rowena wanted to embarrass Simona into leaving, but Simona had no intention of letting her succeed.

With a faint smile, Simona replied, "Come on, don't laugh at me, everyone. I was just young and foolish back then. If you keep teasing me like this, even Alpha Dorian's future mate, might get angry!"

Everyone laughed again, while Madeline gently hugged her shoulder, offering silent support.

Simona glanced back at her and smiled reassuringly. It's okay, Madeline. None of this can hurt me anymore—I don't care.

At that moment, she finally understood why Dorian never publicly acknowledged their bond but was always so close and intimate with her in private. She had thought he was focused on honing his wolf strength and managing the pack, avoiding the distractions of romance.

But now, it seemed that wasn't the case at all.

Simona realized the truth—she had never been the one Dorian truly cherished.

If he didn't truly love me, why had he held me for ten years?

Perhaps it was because he craved her devoted pursuit and couldn't resist the instinctual pull of a fated mate, so he pretended loyalty to his first love while never refusing the one who was truly his fated mate—Simona.

She laughed bitterly at the thought.

"Oh… looks like you've finally come to terms with things! Is something good about to happen, Simona?"

Simona smiled gently, her voice soft. "Yes… I'll be bonding soon!"

At her words, the crowd erupted in cheers, saying she should have a drink with Dorian.

Simona didn't disappoint. She raised her glass and said, "Yeah, I should be toasting you, Alpha Dorian!"

Dorian's face darkened, his iron-gray pheromones subtly swirling around him.

She had said she'd wait for him at home, yet here she was—not only attending the banquet but announcing her bonding ceremony in front of everyone.

He didn't have the energy to deal with her bonding plans right now—Rowena was still waiting for him to fulfill her wish to have a bonding ceremony before succumbing to Aconite.

Is she trying to force me to honor my fated promise again?

The more Dorian thought, the deeper his frown became, his fingers clenching unconsciously, almost curling into sharp wolf claws.

Simona waited for a long time, but he didn't get up.

She let out a self-mocking laugh. "Our Alpha's future mate sure knows how to keep him in check—she won't even let him share a drink with me, his old classmate!

"But it's fine, I'll drink it myself! To the bond we've kept unspoken for ten years!" After finishing the glass in one gulp, Simona sat back down.

After that, she completely ignored Dorian, chatting and laughing with the rest of the table, occasionally bringing up their "cross-pack hunting exercises" from college, her tone light as if she were talking about someone else's story.

When the banquet ended, Simona ignored Dorian's message. He said, "Wait for me! We're leaving together."

Instead, she simply hailed a car back to the apartment.

Madeline wanted to follow, but Simona refused. "Madeline, just give me some time. I'll handle this bond with him completely."

No sooner had Simona arrived at the apartment than Dorian returned.

He sounded furious, slamming the door as he spoke. "I told you to wait for me! How dare you leave on your own?"

Simona said nothing, calmly watching him.

Barefoot and flushed from wine, her lips pressed together, she radiated quiet pain. Even her wolf, Emma, unusually silent in her mind, shrank into a corner, ears drooping, sensing every ounce of her frustration.

Dorian's anger, which had burned through him moments before, suddenly dissipated, replaced by a wave of guilt. Deep down, he knew that Simona, as his fated mate, had endured far too much suffering.

But what could I do? Rowena was dying from Aconite. I couldn't let her leave with regrets.

He stepped forward and hugged Simona.

The sharp scent of cedar suddenly enveloped Simona—the same signal that had once confirmed their fated bond, the warmth she had chased for 10 years. Now, it only made her feel suffocated and disgusted.

She tried to push him away, but when she realized he was holding his ground with the strength of an Alpha, impossible to move, she gave up.

Dorian's voice was hoarse. "Simona, today was unexpected.. Rowena said she'd never been to an alumni banquet and begged me through tears to bring her. Please don't be angry, okay?

"Can you wait for me a little longer? Soon, after I fulfill Rowena's bonding ceremony and resolve her regrets, I'll focus entirely on you. We'll have the grandest bonding ceremony ourselves, okay?

"You've always wanted to see the wolf sanctuary under the polar night. We'll go there to swear our vows, let the Moon Goddess witness our bond. I'll be with you the whole time, okay?"

Simona let her hands fall to her sides, but her fingers curled involuntarily, nails digging into her palms.

She wanted to say it wasn't just Rowena's regrets—those were his regrets too. The promise he had made to Rowena long ago, that they would grow old together, had nothing to do with her.

But she simply replied, "Fine."

Fine! You bond with her, and I would bond with someone else. From now on, our fated bond would be severed, and our marriages would have nothing to do with each other. How wonderful.

Dorian was deeply moved. He knew that as his fated mate, Simona would understand him.

Even the restless pheromones that had been swirling around him gradually settled.

He lowered his head, intending to kiss her, but Simona turned away.

Dorian sighed, realizing she was still upset, and patiently tried to soothe her. "Tomorrow I have the day off. I won't go anywhere. I'll stay with you, okay?

"And that wolf pack totem art exhibit you mentioned last time—I checked, it's still running. I'll go with you tomorrow, if that's alright?"