Chapter 8

Shawn doesn't come to see me again. I don't care. My focus is on preparing for my journey to the frontier, where I'll form a new bond.

In my last life, I knew little about Jason—just that he was rough around the edges, not one for tenderness, never took a mate, and died in battle. This time, I don't expect a love story, but I respect his fierce loyalty to protecting the great pack. At least I won't be trapped in a hopeless love, wasting away.

The night before the binding ceremony, I sit by the window, lost in the moonlight. The door creaks open, and Shawn steps in.

"Diana sent me to deliver jade tokens to you and Quinn as gifts for your dowries," he says flatly, setting a lacquered box on the table.

I don't turn, just hum softly in acknowledgment.

He pauses, then adds, "Tomorrow, the three of us will be bound, one pack. I hope you can be generous, Leah, and stop hurting Quinn."

I open my mouth to say I've never hurt her, to say I'm not bonding with him at all. But he doesn't give me a chance, turning and leaving.

I sit there, stunned, then decide to chase after him, to set things straight. But I stop short when I see him slip into Quinn's room.

Through the half-open door, I catch Quinn throwing herself into his arms, tears streaming. "Shawn, you're so honorable, never even keeping a concubine…" Her voice cracks. "Tomorrow's our binding night, and tradition says you'll go to Leah first. But I can't wait."

She looks up, eyes glistening. "I want to be your first, Shawn. Please, make it me."

His brow furrows. "Quinn, that breaks tradition."

"Just this once!" she pleads, tugging his sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. "You love me, I love you. Don't you want your first time to be with the she-wolf you cherish most?"

Under the moonlight, I see his resolve melt. He sighs, then leans down, kissing her deeply.

I watch, a low laugh escaping me, bitter and quiet. I turn and walk away.

The next morning, two flower-draped carriages wait at the den's gates. The path is narrow, so the matron smiles. "One bride goes first. Who'll it be?"

Quinn shoves past me. "Leah's always gone first my whole life. Let me have this."

Her eyes gleam with triumph—first to enter means higher status in the pack's eyes.

I smile faintly. "Go ahead."

Once her carriage rolls off, I have Shawn's betrothal gifts loaded onto an empty one, along with a letter I leave inside: Shawn, I'm not bonding with you this time. Quinn will be your only mate. May you two be eternally bound, hearts forever entwined.

As the carriage departs, I head to the back gate, where a plain sedan waits—the one that'll carry me to the frontier.

My new beginning.

As it pulls away from the pack, I lift the veil and take one last look at Belmor Town. In my last life, I chased love to my ruin. This time, I'm letting go.

Shawn, may you have your wish.