Chapter 3

Julia’s POV

Nathan stared at me, clearly caught off guard. I could see the calculations behind his eyes—he wanted to be free of our mate bond, but he also hated the idea of me escaping his control.

“You can go to college,” he finally said. “But you’ll return to the pack after graduation.”

“I need complete freedom,” I countered. “Including where I work afterward.”

“Absolutely not.” His voice hardened. “You return after graduation. That’s my final offer.”

I weighed my options. Four years of freedom might be enough time to figure out a more permanent escape. And I desperately needed to get away from this place, from him.

“Fine,” I conceded. “I’ll return after graduation.”