The first snowfall of winter blanketed Silvercrest City in a pristine white coat. I lay in the hospital bed, my body still fighting the effects of acute silver poisoning. The equipment in my darkroom had been contaminated somehow, and after hours of work, my hands had begun to burn and blister. 

“Excuse me,” a soft voice called from the next bed. “Your IV… I think it’s finished. It’s backflowing.” 

I opened my eyes to see a young she-wolf looking at me with concern. Her eyes were kind, though we were strangers. 

“Thank you,” I murmured, pressing the call button for the nurse. 

While waiting, I checked my phone. 2:00 AM. I’d spent the entire day in my studio without producing a single photo worth keeping. 

The silver poisoning had made everything worse, especially for Cora, my wolf, who’d been restless and whimpering beneath my skin until I’d finally dragged myself to the hospital. 

The nurse came in, changed my moonlight herb IV, and checked my vitals. “The healing process is going well, Ms. Chase. You should be able to leave in the morning.” 

Just as she left, my phone rang. Mother. Perfect timing as always. 

“Amber, you’re coming to Victoria’s birthday tomorrow, aren’t you?” Her voice held that familiar note of command disguised as a question. 

“I’m in the hospital, Mother. Silver poisoning.” I winced as a sharp pain shot through my hand. 

“Hospital?” She scoffed. “Don’t be dramatic. You can’t miss your sister’s birthday.” 

“Adopted-sister,” I corrected automatically, gritting my teeth. “And I’m not being dramatic. I’m literally hooked up to an IV with blisters all over my hands!” 

“Victoria would never miss your birthday, no matter how ill she was,” she countered, her voice sharpening. “She’s always been the obedient, sensible daughter.” 

I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Obedient? Is that what we’re calling it now? Should I remind you what I caught her doing with Henry last summer?” 

“Don’t start with your accusations again!” Mother snapped. “You know how important this celebration is. Ethan will be there.” 

At the mention of my fiancé’s name, I felt Cora stir painfully within me, clawing at my insides. “Ethan? And why would that convince me to come?” 

“He’ll pick you up. I’ve already arranged it.” 

“Without asking me? Typical.” I was getting into a taxi now, having signed myself out against medical advice. The hospital had become suffocating after that call. 

“Your temper is exactly why you and Ethan are having problems,” she lectured. “You need to focus on securing your mate bond before it’s too late. Before he chooses someone else.” 

“He already has,” I muttered under my breath. 

“What was that?” 

“Nothing.” I gave the driver my address. “Fine. I’ll come to the party. But it’ll cost you.” 

“Cost me? What are you talking about?” 

“Seven figures. Added to my dowry.” I named a sum that made her gasp. 

“You can’t be serious! That’s extortion!” 

“It’s the price of my attendance,” I replied coldly. “Take it or leave it.” 

After a moment of stunned silence, she agreed. Of course she did. Appearances were everything to Melanie Chase. 

Back at my riverside apartment, I managed to heat up some leftover venison stew before collapsing into bed. The silver poisoning had drained me more than I wanted to admit. 

I was awakened by my phone ringing again. This time, it was Paige. 

“Hey, you awake?” Her cheerful voice was a balm after my mother’s coldness. 

“I am now,” I mumbled, sitting up. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a flight?” 

“Landing in three hours. Want me to pick you up for Victoria’s birthday bash?” 

“Actually, I’m going. Mother made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” 

“Let me guess—she’s paying you?” Paige knew our family dynamics all too well. 

“Seven figures added to my dowry.” 

Paige whistled. “That’s some serious cash just to show up at your sister’s party. God, I hate how she favors Victoria.” 

“Adopted-sister” I corrected again, my voice hardening. “And you know Mother. Victoria is her perfect little angel who can do no wrong.” 

“Even after what happened with Henry and Sophia? That poor girl miscarried because of what she saw!” 

I sighed, the memory still raw. “Mother refuses to believe it. Victoria has her completely wrapped around her finger.” 

“Speaking of manipulation… how are things with Ethan? Still in the cold war phase?” 

I sighed, running a hand through my tangled hair. “He’s picking me up for the party tomorrow. Mother’s orders.” 

“Amber…” Paige’s voice softened. “You know he’s in love with Melissa now, right? His secretary?” 

Cora whined painfully within me, making me double over. “I know.” 

“Then why are you still—” 

“Because I refuse to lose to her,” I snapped, then immediately regretted my tone. “Sorry. It’s just… you don’t understand what it’s like to have your wolf claim someone who doesn’t want you anymore.” 

“I understand enough to know you’re hurting yourself by holding on,” Paige said gently. “He doesn’t love you anymore, Amber. You deserve better than someone who looks at another woman the way he used to look at you.” 

The truth of her words cut deeper than any silver. “I know,” I whispered, a tear sliding down my cheek. “But I can’t just… give up. Cora won’t let me.” 

My phone beeped with another call. Ethan. 

“I have to go,” I told Paige. “It’s him.” 

I switched calls, trying to sound casual. “Hello?” 

“Amber.” His voice was formal, distant. “I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow for Victoria’s birthday. Is that acceptable?” 

I had just stepped out of the shower, heading toward my closet. “Does this mean we’re reconciling?” 

There was a pause, long enough for my heart to sink. “We can discuss that tomorrow.” 

His non-answer was answer enough. After hanging up, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. 

Beautiful, they all said. One of the most desirable she-wolves in Silvercrest City. Yet not desirable enough for Ethan Blackwood. 

Night fell, and I arrived at Ethan’s car exactly on time. He was leaning against it, the smell of cigarettes clinging to his clothes. 

“You’ve been waiting long enough to smoke three cigarettes,” I observed, noting the butts on the ground. 

“I wasn’t impatient,” he said, though his tight expression suggested otherwise. “Just passing time.” 

As he opened the car door for me, I caught a glimpse of his face. His eyes didn’t light up anymore when he saw me. 

His wolf, Noah, remained quiet beneath his skin. No excited whine, no push to be closer to Cora. Just… nothing. 

We drove in silence for a while. I could feel him stealing glances at me, probably noting how the moonlight caught in my hair or how my dress hugged my curves. 

But there was no heat in his gaze, just appraisal. Like I was a painting he’d grown tired of. 

“I’ve been thinking,” he finally said. “Perhaps we should try to work things out.” 

My heart leapt traitorously, but I kept my voice cool. “On one condition. Fire Melissa.” 

He sighed, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “We’ve been over this. She’s an excellent secretary.” 

“And an even better mistress, I’m sure,” I spat, unable to keep the venom from my voice. “Does she spread her legs on your desk, or do you at least take her to a hotel?” 

“Amber!” His eyes flashed with anger. “That’s enough!” 

“No, it’s not nearly enough,” I hissed. “You think I don’t know? That I can’t smell her on you?” 

“This is exactly why we’re having problems,” he said, his voice tight. “Your jealousy, your accusations—” 

“My accurate observations,” I corrected. “Don’t gaslight me, Ethan. I’m not stupid.” 

He took a deep breath. “Amber, you know in our world, in my position… I could have multiple mates if I wanted.” 

“Just because your wolf claimed me doesn’t mean you love me, is that it?” I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past. 

Cora paced restlessly beneath my skin, howling in pain at the rejection she felt from Noah. 

“It’s complicated,” he said, as if that explained everything. 

“It’s really not,” I replied, my voice suddenly calm. “You either want me or you don’t.” 

As we neared the Chase Pack House, I pulled out my phone and sent him a text: “99.” 

Ethan glanced at his phone and shook his head. “Another one of your dramatic gestures?” 

“Not dramatic. Just keeping count.” 

He had seen this before – my numerical tally of perceived slights, each number representing a “blow” to Cora’s heart. I’d promised to leave at 100. 

But Ethan remained unconcerned, confident in what he believed was my unwavering love. Confident that I would eventually submit to the mate bond he had never fully committed to forming.