Author’s POV

After Sylvia walked away, Zane and Chloe sat in stunned silence inside the luxury sports car, the engine’s idle purr the only sound between them.

Zane’s initial instinct was to slam on the gas and speed away, to leave Sylvia’s cutting words behind in a cloud of exhaust. But Chloe slid her hand over his where it gripped the steering wheel, her touch calculated and deliberate.

"Did you see how arrogant she still is, Zane?" Chloe’s voice dripped with false concern. "Even after all this time, she looks down on us like we’re nothing."

Her fingers traced small circles on the back of his hand. "I wonder if she was just after your money all along. Everything you’ve suffered recently—the house arrest, the legal troubles—it’s all because of her, isn’t it?"

Zane had been trying to dismiss Sylvia’s words, but Chloe’s suggestion awakened memories that had been festering in his mind. Days trapped in his home. The humiliation of potential jail time. The pack’s questioning glances.

"You’re right," he growled, his wolf stirring with agitation beneath his skin. "You’re absolutely right."

Seeing Sylvia looking so composed despite everything should have been his moment to gloat, to enjoy her downfall. Instead, she’d walked away with her head high, leaving him feeling diminished in his own vehicle.

"I’m not trying to be cruel, Zane," Chloe continued, her voice honeyed with false empathy. "It just breaks my heart to see how she treats you. After all this time, she shows no remorse whatsoever. And to think you still thought about her sometimes!"

Zane felt a wave of emotion crash over him. Here was Chloe, his True Mate according to fate and tradition, devoted despite his flaws. When he’d been with Sylvia, his thoughts had constantly drifted to Chloe. And now that he had Chloe by his side, had he been making the same mistake in reverse?

The realization made his stomach knot with self-disgust. What kind of Alpha was he, allowing his thoughts to wander like this?

He turned to Chloe, his expression filled with regret. "I’m sorry, Chloe. I’ve been a fool, ignoring what was right in front of me all along."

Chloe shook her head, her features arranged in a perfect mask of understanding. "Don’t apologize, Zane. All I want is for you to be happy and healthy. As long as you let me stay by your side, I need nothing else."

Her words struck him like a physical blow. The guilt intensified, making his chest tighten. Had he really been neglecting someone so selfless? Someone who had been chosen for him by the Moon Goddess herself?

"I promise I’ll be better to you," he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. "Let’s put the past behind us and focus on our future together. Can we do that, Chloe?"

He searched her face with desperate intensity, seeking forgiveness he didn’t deserve.

Chloe met his gaze, something flickering behind her eyes. For a brief moment, a strange detachment seemed to cross her features.

If he had said these words earlier—months ago, years ago—perhaps her heart would have leapt with genuine joy. But too much time had passed. Too many nights she’d lain awake, wondering when Zane would finally see her as more than just a convenient replacement for what he’d lost.

How different things might have been if he’d shown this devotion from the start. Perhaps she wouldn’t have felt compelled to scheme against Sylvia at all.

But it was too late now. Far too late.

Chloe’s fingers curled into a tight fist, her knuckles whitening with pressure. The past was gone, irretrievable. There was no going back to whatever innocence their relationship might once have held.

Zane leaned across the center console, cupping the back of her head with his hand. "Chloe, you’re everything I need," he murmured, his voice dropping to a husky timbre. "I promise I’ll make it all up to you..."

Before she could respond, his lips captured hers. Chloe froze momentarily, her expression stiffening. But as she watched Zane’s performance of devotion, she decided to play along.

It wasn’t as if Zane was unattractive. With his chiseled features and powerful Alpha presence, many female wolves would kill to be in her position. Perhaps this arrangement wasn’t so terrible after all.

With that justification settled in her mind, Chloe responded to his kiss with manufactured passion.

Zane had intended just a brief kiss—a token of affection to reassure Chloe of his commitment. Proof of his devotion and love. But when she responded with unexpected enthusiasm, his control slipped. Their kiss deepened, growing heated in the confined space of the luxury vehicle.

What Zane couldn’t see was the mental eye-roll Chloe was giving behind her closed eyelids. If it weren’t for his money and status, she would have abandoned this charade long ago. All this time by his side, and he still pined for Sylvia. How could he be so oblivious, so infuriatingly dense?

But she couldn’t afford to break things off now. Their separation would benefit neither of them—especially her.

Taking a deep breath through her nose, Chloe committed to the performance.

When they finally broke apart, she gazed up at him with carefully practiced adoration, trailing her finger in small circles on his chest. "You’re so good to me, Zane..."

He captured her wandering hand, his eyes darkening with desire. "You’re my mate, Chloe. Who else would I be good to?"

Chloe offered a soft laugh. "You have a point."

She paused, her expression shifting to one of calculated concern. "But I still can’t get over how Sylvia spoke to you. After everything she’s done, she still looks down on us."

Zane hesitated, conflict clear on his face. His father, Alpha Thorne, had warned him about meddling in affairs beyond his understanding. He’d suggested that the company’s recent troubles stemmed from Zane antagonizing someone powerful—someone he shouldn’t have crossed.

But try as he might, Zane couldn’t identify who that might be. Sylvia was just the daughter of a rival Alpha, wasn’t she?

Seeing his uncertainty, Chloe pressed harder. "It’s not just today, Zane. She’s humiliated you in public more than once. If she spoke to me that way, I could ignore it. But it hurts me to see her treat you with such disrespect!"

Her manufactured outrage struck a chord. Zane pulled her close, his protective instincts flaring. "Don’t work yourself up, sweetheart. I know you’re just looking out for me."

"I need to think this through carefully," he added, trying to sound measured and Alpha-like. "We can’t rush into anything."

"Of course," Chloe agreed, her tone sweetly submissive. "Whatever you decide, I’ll stand by you. I’m always on your side, Zane."

"I’m lucky to have you," he murmured, holding her close.

Just as Chloe was beginning to sink into the moment, a sharp tapping on the window jolted them apart. They exchanged startled glances.

Zane recovered first, rolling down the window to face a stern-looking parking enforcement officer.

"Sorry to interrupt, but there’s no parking allowed here. You’ve been stopped for quite some time." The officer handed over a citation. "This is your fine."

Zane’s face flushed with embarrassment as he accepted the ticket. The officer glanced at Chloe’s swollen lips and couldn’t resist adding: "Next time, consider continuing these activities at home. It creates a poor impression in public."

With that, he walked away, leaving the couple in awkward silence.

Zane caught sight of Chloe’s reddened lips and felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over him. Without the officer’s comment, he might not have realized how carried away they’d gotten.

Chloe’s cheeks burned bright red. "Let’s just go home," she muttered, mortification evident in her voice. This moment of public humiliation was unbearable. If there had been a hole in the ground, she would have gladly disappeared into it rather than face the officer’s knowing smirk.

Zane couldn’t help but find her embarrassment endearing. "Alright, let’s head home," he agreed, his smile softening his features.

Chloe nodded, straightening in her seat and looking pointedly ahead.

As Zane pulled away from the curb, he couldn’t stop his smile from growing. Though Chloe might not be as strikingly beautiful as Sylvia, she was undeniably obedient and accommodating. For an Alpha like himself, wasn’t that preferable to beauty paired with defiance?

The thought satisfied him deeply as they drove home to continue what they had started.