From Now On, It’s Not About You Chapter 01

From Now On, It’s Not About You Chapter 01

Ryan and I spent our first night together on the same day we got our wolves.

Afterward, he gently wiped the thin sheen of sweat from my forehead.

“Baby, give your guaranteed admission spot at Silver Moon Academy to Willow.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

“Willow was crying so pitifully under me.”

“I was caught up in the heat of the moment and just blurted it out.”

My blood ran cold.

“What if I say no?”

He let out a soft laugh, gently wrapped his hand around mine, and unlocked his phone.

A video appeared—of us, doing everything we’d just done.

“Baby, you sound way too good in my arms. I don’t really want anyone else hearing that.”

“Be a good girl. Train for one more year. Next year, I’ll personally bring you to Silver Moon Academy.”

“After graduation, we’ll complete our bond. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”

I clenched my fists so hard my nails cut into my palms.

What Ryan didn’t know was that Mom had already gotten me into the most elite academy in the United Packs—halfway across the world.

The future he promised me would never happen.

—

“Baby, you know I hate threatening people. Especially you.”

He brushed the damp strands of hair away from my face and kissed my forehead over and over.

But everything he said cut deeper than I expected.

“But you’ve gotta see it from my side. Willow stripped down and climbed into my bed on her own. I couldn’t just pass up a free meal.”

“And honestly, you’re so sensitive about pain. I couldn’t bear to hurt you, so I practiced on her first to make sure I gave you my best skills.”

I stared at him like I’d never known him.

The pain hit me so hard that I could hardly catch my breath.

“Why?” My voice came out rough.

Ryan acted as if nothing was wrong. He stroked my pale cheek with tenderness.

“Why not? Willow’s hot, she’s clean, and she offered herself. Why would I say no?”

Then he laughed under his breath.

“Besides, the skills I picked up—didn’t you enjoy them just now?”

The nausea hit me so hard I thought I might throw up. I forced it down.

Ryan frowned at my pale face and pulled me into his arms.

“You dummy, what are you scared of?”

“At most, Willow’s just someone I use to handle my needs. She can’t even compare to you.”

“And she’s your best friend—you know her inside and out.”

“While you’re gone for that year at Silver Moon Academy, sleeping with her means I won’t have to mess around with some dirty stranger.”

“Doesn’t that put your mind at ease?”

“Willow is very kind. She doesn’t want any official status.”

“All she hopes is that after you and I bond, she can still hook up with me once in a while.”

My entire body went rigid.

I understood every single word. Put together, they made my blood run cold.

One was my childhood sweetheart of ten years—my destined mate, the boy who swore he’d die without me.

The other was the girl I’d supported for three years. The girl who promised she’d repay my kindness with her life. The friend I treated like a little sister.

I’d never have imagined that just an hour ago, I’d been dreaming of a future overflowing with love and friendship.

The two people who mattered most would betray me together, leaving me with nothing.

I forced myself to keep breathing deeply, barely managing to suppress the explosive nausea and searing pain in my chest.

“Ryan, I can give you to Willow.”

“But I’m not giving up my admission spot at Silver Moon Academy.”

The second the words left my mouth, he laughed.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You swore at eight years old you’d never marry anyone but me.”

“You’ve been chasing after me for years. Everyone knows you’re hopelessly in love with me.”

“You really think you can survive without me?”

I felt completely overwhelmed, and I struggled to catch my breath.

When I was eight, my parents ended their mate bond.

I stayed with my father, Ethan, a Gamma commander who spent most of his life away fighting for the pack.

The nanny he hired stole all the money he’d left for me.

Then she tried to sell me on the werewolf black market.

Ryan saved me. He was dragged behind that van for hundreds of feet. He nearly died.

Yet before he blacked out, he still covered my eyes.

“Don’t look, little Phoebe. I’m not gonna die. I’ll protect you for the rest of your life.”

The light I once clung to as my salvation had become the blade that now ran me through.

When I stayed silent, Ryan reached into the nightstand and pulled out a document.

He placed a pen in my hand. Then he wrapped his arms around me from behind and smiled.

“The withdrawal form. Be a good girl and sign it.”

The intimate sounds from the video were still playing. He watched with clear amusement.

“Baby, you’ve got an incredible body. And that voice…”

I trembled nonstop. The taste of blood filled my mouth from biting down so hard.

I couldn’t tell whether it came from rage or hatred.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally swallowed my salty, bitter tears.

“I’ll sign. But you delete the video.”

“Of course. If my baby doesn’t like it, I’ll delete every last trace of it.”

His phone rang. The caller ID flashed—my Sweet Little Baby.

Ryan ignored it. He pulled on his pants, grabbed the signed paper, and headed for the door.

Before leaving, he kissed my forehead.

“That’s my good girl.”

I sat there for a long, long time after he was gone.

It was only when my tears had finally ran dry that I dialed a familiar number.

“Mom… I’ll do what you said. I’m coming to you.”