That year, my hatred for Chloe Lynn burned hotter than ever.
Chloe, to shield her assistant Miles Benedict, had my dog-my companion for a decade-brutally killed.
To settle the score, I drove a blade into Miles five times, savoring his unhinged screams like they were a masterpiece.
Everyone thought Chloe would end me.
Instead, she just tossed me a paper to break our bond, her voice ice-cold. "You're nothing but the Lynn pack's mutt. If you're gonna lose it, then get lost."
That night, I vanished.
Five years later, I showed up at a gala in my father's place and ran into Miles.
Miles splashed his red wine across my shirt. "Well, look who it is-the Lynn pack's discarded mutt."
I snatched a champagne bottle and smashed it over his head. "Five years, and you still haven't learned to act wolf. Guess I'll teach you today."
Miles' screams echoed.
His posse jumped in front of him, barking at me. "Who the hell are you? Do you even know who you just hit?"
"Let me spell it out," the loudest one jabbed a finger at me. "He's the chosen mate of the Lynn Business she-wolf! You mess with him, Chloe's gonna tear you apart!"
Another blocked my path, smirking. "Let's see who this fool is, daring to cross Chloe's heart. Everyone knows she's crazy for her mate. If Miles so much as bruises a finger, Chloe'd burn the world down-let alone with his head bashed in!"
Miles clutched his bleeding forehead, glaring. "Listen up, Caleb Dawn. Five years ago, I was soft and let you slide. Don't think I'm scared of you now! You're just a dog Chloe kept in her den. I crushed you back then, and if you dare show your face now, I'll crush you again!"
I eyed the changes in Miles after five years. Gotta hand it to Chloe-she'd raised him well. The wolf who used to stammer "Mr. Dawn" in my presence now had the guts to threaten me with "crush you" in front of a crowd.
Too bad I'm no pushover.
Not five years ago.
Not now.
Surrounded by his crew, I stared at the shattered glass on the floor, bent down, and picked up a jagged shard, grinning under their stunned gazes. "Miles."
I stepped toward him. "Five years ago," I said, gripping the bloodied shard, "I gave you too much credit. What's that?" I eyed his gut, dragging the shard from his face downward. "Stabbing out one kidney back then didn't teach you a thing. If that's how it is."
My grin turned feral. Before anyone could react, I raised the shard to plunge it into Miles' stomach.
But my wrist was seized mid-strike, a scream piercing my ears, followed by Miles' tearful whimper, "Chloe, I'm scared."
Five years ago, when I pinned Miles to the ground and stabbed him over and over, he'd worn that same terrified look, crying, "Chloe, I'm scared."
Time folded over itself. A familiar, long-lost voice growled behind me.
"Caleb, five years. Still haven't learned your place?" Chloe's voice was venom.
My wrist was yanked back, pain shooting through me. But unlike five years ago, I didn't back down or submit. The fire in my blood roared. I gripped the shard tighter, feeling it bite into my palm. As Chloe reached to rip it away, I spun, flashing her a grin. "Long time no see, Chloe."
The shard sank into her arm. Blood sprayed, blurring my vision.