chapter 3

Mary gripped Catherine's thin arms hard. "Catherine, you need to go ask Edward for money. You're his Luna—he won't refuse you."

"He hates me, Mom." Catherine's laugh was bitter, and her expression went dark. "Why would he give me anything?"

Mary's hand cracked across Catherine's face. "So you're just going to watch your father die? How can you be so useless?"

Catherine's lips trembled. She stared at the woman in front of her, and something cold settled in her eyes.

When Stormclaw Pack had fallen apart years ago, Leon had come to her with proof of her mother's affair. He'd told her that if she left Edward, he'd call off the attack on Stormclaw Pack.

She'd watched Edward fall apart trying to save his father, and she'd been powerless to help him.

At the time, she figured as long as she could help Edward, she didn't care if he got the wrong idea about her.

She'd followed Leon and left everything behind. Thornhowl Pack had stopped attacking Stormclaw Pack just like Leon promised.

She'd said every cruel thing she could think of and broke Edward's heart completely.

She'd never imagined she'd cross paths with him again. Not until that day when Edward's father had threatened to die in his hospital bed unless he could see Catherine one more time. That was the only reason Edward had called her.

When Catherine walked into the hospital room, the man in the bed looked so weak that even his breathing seemed fragile.

Edward's father had understood Catherine's situation, and he'd hoped Catherine would become Edward's mate.

At the time, Catherine had said no.

But the next day, her family took the money, a massive payment from Stormclaw Pack.

Edward's father forced him to bind himself to her under the full moon, and from that moment on, Edward hated her with everything he had.

Catherine stepped out of the hospital room and swallowed a painkiller.

She'd barely taken a step when she saw a woman in a hospital gown standing down the hall.

The woman had perfect skin and large, round eyes. Her features were delicate, almost sculpted.

It was Jane Greyson, Edward's current obsession. And once upon a time, Catherine's best friend.

Catherine looked away and turned to leave.

"Catherine." Jane called out.

Catherine clenched her jaw and kept walking.

Jane's laugh echoed behind her. "I heard Bloodmoon Pack got attacked?"

She caught up and blocked Catherine's path, her voice cold. "Karma's a bitch, isn't it?"

Catherine stared at her with ice in her eyes. "Get out of my way."

Jane didn't even flinch. She picked at her fingernails casually, like this was all so boring. "You're pathetic, you know that? Edward doesn't want you anymore, but you're still clinging to him like some desperate woman."

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "You know he's been with me every day this week, right? Every single day."

"You want the Luna position for Stormclaw Pack, don't you?" Catherine's lips pressed into a thin line. "Then make him break the mate bond with me."

Jane's eyes narrowed. "You don't actually think he's keeping the bond because he can't forget you, do you?"

She burst out laughing. "Catherine, you're so naive."

Jane stepped closer to Catherine. "He's just punishing you. Making you feel what he felt."

"When he gets bored of torturing you, you'll be nothing but trash to him." Jane leaned in close to her ear. "Oh, and he's never actually slept with you, has he?"

Catherine's fingers tightened. She lowered her head and looked at Jane with cold eyes.

"Want to know why?" Jane's nail traced slowly down her cheek. "Because he thinks you're dirty. I heard that years ago, you slept with Leon to get Thornhowl Pack to agree to a ceasefire."

Edward had loved Catherine with everything he had. So when he found out she'd been sleeping with his sworn enemy? Of course he hated her.

"Are you done?" Catherine brushed her hand away. "If you're done, get out."

Catherine didn't expect Jane to suddenly fall backward and hit the ground hard.

Footsteps rushed up from behind her, and then Edward was there, gathering Jane into his arms.

He lifted Jane carefully and glanced back at Catherine over his shoulder.

That one look froze Catherine to her bones.