Alpha Torrin's voice trembles slightly. "Is this really what you want? If you're only being pressured because of my council…"
"This is what I've decided," I cut him off.
After a heavy pause, he finally nods, though pain and disappointment still cloud his eyes. "My number is saved on your phone. Call me if you need anything… or if you change your mind."
Before I can reply, Damian steps forward and slips his calling card into my hand without saying a word.
Irritation flickers across Alpha Torrin's face, prompting Damian to step back quietly to avoid an argument.
I turn and walk away from them before my resolve crumbles.
My wolf howls inside me, filled with heartbreak and protest.
I climb inside Lance's car without glancing back. The moment his car moves, an excruciating pain I've never felt before explodes through me.
The further we go, the more painful it gets and the weaker I become.
When we're out of the Frostveil Pack's border, I try to protrude my claws so I can ambush and hostage Lance in exchange for Harper, but my wolf can't respond to my call.
Now I get it: why Lance can't let go of Aiko. This is the effect of being separated from one's fated mate or, in my case, fated mates.
"Harleigh! Are you alright?!" Lance's frantic voice echoes.
My breath comes in sharp, wheezing gasps until everything fades into numbness… and then darkness.
When I wake, I'm lying in a hospital bed with the Dunebourne sigil staring down at me from the white wall.
To my side, Lance is asleep, his head resting against my arm, and his hand holding mine.
I slowly pull away in disgust.
I still feel weak, though not as tormented as earlier. But worst of all, I can't sense my wolf completely.
"You should take these medicines whenever the pain returns. They'll help for a while, but they're not a complete cure," the doctor says.
Nice. So this is gonna be a permanent illness, a lifetime of suffering.
"Why is my wolf gone?" I ask hoarsely.
"It's not gone. It's just too weak to be felt," the doctor replies.
Suddenly,...
The door bursts open, jerking Lance awake.
Alpha Philip storms in with frustration darkening his face. "I heard everything from Lance. I won't allow those Frostveil wolves to claim you."
"Make sure you regain your strength soon. Without it, you'll be useless. You can't bear heirs or possibly wield the Shadow Bind. If that happens, Harper will really have to take your place as Lance's bride, while you'll be in the dungeon instead," he adds.
"F.uck you!" I hiss through clenched teeth.
Slap!
His palm cracks against my cheek. Pain burns across it as blood trickles from my lip.
Meanwhile, Lance just cowardly watches. No attempt to defend me.
"The werewolf who'll disrespect me hasn't even been born yet," Alpha Philip snarls before storming out.
Days blur together afterward. I'm confined inside the Alpha's mansion, surrounded by five Gammas wherever I go.
I'm also forbidden to see Harper in the dungeon to avoid another possible escape, even though I'm still weak to do anything that reckless.
The most infuriating part of it all, Aiko has to join us every meal time. She's warmly welcomed by Lance and his parents, as if I'm not around.
The sight makes bile rise in my throat. I can only sit silently, pushing food around my plate, watching them act like one happy family.
Every night, when I walk through the corridors to calm my restless mind, Aiko and Lance's intimate moans and gasps, plus the rhythmic creak of the bed echoes from Lance's bedroom.
The Gammas guarding me feel awkward each time. One tries to hide his arousal, another looks away in disgust. The rest glance at me with pity. On the other hand, I just walk past Lance's bedroom without care, just completely unconcerned.
However,...
One night, a clever idea comes to me when their noises grow louder: Lance's breathless groans and Aiko's sharp whimpers.
I push open the door, and the room suddenly falls silent.
Lance freezes, tangled with Aiko beneath the sheets. Both their eyes widen in disbelief while embarrassment flickers across their sweaty faces.
The Gammas avert their gazes instantly, some turning their backs.
"What are you doing here?!" Aiko hisses, clutching the blanket to her bare chest.
Lance's voice wavers slightly as he tries to sound calm. "Harleigh, you know my wolf needs Aiko, right? Especially now that you keep refusing to be intimate with me."
I don't respond.
I head straight to the wooden desk near the balcony to take back the bracelet I gifted Lance a few months back.
Their eyes follow me, expecting a scene. Instead, I walk back out, hiding a smirk on my face.
The next morning, Aiko isn't at the table for breakfast.
Through the corner of my eye, Lance keeps anxiously glancing at me.
"I'm an Alpha, and the future Main Alpha. I can't be weak like you. That's why Aiko should stay with me," he says like a poor child begging for a candy.
I don't answer, let alone look at him.
Luna Lavinia sighs, sipping her tea delicately. "Don't worry. Aiko will never be the future Luna. And any child she will have with Lance will never inherit the Alpha title."
Her tone carries pride, as if she expects me to be grateful. But I remain impassive.
The awkwardness is only disrupted when an Omega hands over a silver tray with an elegant, scented envelope to Alpha Philip.
Alpha Philip opens it. "We're invited to the Harvest Moon Festival tonight. I'd like Harleigh to come with us."
Lance's head snaps up. "But, dad, the Frostveil highborns will be there too!"
Alpha Torrin and Damian?
Excitement and hope crawls through me.
"So what? They wouldn't dare risk a war. Our military is strong," Alpha Philip replies, raising an eyebrow as he takes a bite of his steak.
"And so is theirs!" Lance shoots back.
Alpha Philip slams his fist on the table, making the plates and cups rattle. "Stop being a coward! Be the Alpha I raised and expect you to be! Show them who owns Harleigh!"
Owns me? What a j.erk!
Lance falls silent. But the fear in his eyes remains, no matter how hard he tries to hide it.
After breakfast, Lance follows me to my bedroom, ordering the Gammas to stay outside.
My stomach twists with unease as the memory of his attempt to force himself to me flashes in my mind.
But instead, he pulls out a small velvet box from his pocket.
Inside are a diamond necklace and a pair of diamond earrings.
I raise an eyebrow at him. "A peace offering?"
Disappointment replaces the pride on his face as he tries to shake off my indifference. "Yes, for everything. I know I can be an a.sshole sometimes, but I'm serious in making our bond work again."
He tries to place the necklace around my neck, but I move back. Then, he bites his lip and sets the box on the table instead.
"Mom and Aiko will go shopping later for the Harvest Moon Festival. I know you don't get along with them, but you should come. I'll pay for your dress."
He lingers for a moment, probably expecting me to either thank him for his generosity or beg him to stay.
But, I just simply gesture toward the door.
When he leaves, I rush to my wardrobe. I hope and am excited to see Alpha Torrin and Damian again. Maybe I'll regain my strength and be able to feel and command my wolf again.
I have a couple of expensive and beautiful clothes to choose from, all bought and gifted by Lance and his parents over the last few years to manipulate me into believing that they care about me.
However, my attention is grabbed by my wedding gown that costs Alpha Philip and Luna Lavinia a whopping $50,000.
I smirk as another clever idea crops up in my head.
All day, I cut it into patterns, sew the pieces together, and transform it into a form-fitting jumpsuit with laced long-sleeves.
Through the window, I see a car pull up in front of the giggling Luna Lavinia and Aiko.
Aiko glances up at me and smirks, certain I envy that she'll get to buy new clothes with Luna Lavinia while I'm stuck here.
I return the smirk, blow her a kiss, wink, and wave goodbye.
Her smirk falters into a scowl as she climbs into the car.
Time crawls so slow, but when it's time to go to the festival, every inch of my body feels replenished.
With a light makeup on and the jumpsuit, I descend to the mansion's front gates where the Dunebourne highborns are gathered.
"That outfit looks great on you," Luna Lavinia says, regal in her emerald gown.
"Oh! Thank you! I made it from the wedding gown you and Alpha Philip bought for me," I answer, trying not to hide my sarcasm.
Her smile turns brittle, while her eyebrow raises.
Meanwhile, Aiko is clinging herself to Lance like a leech. But when Lance notices me, he pulls away from her and offers his arm to me instead.
For a moment, I consider humiliating Lance by ignoring him in front of the others. But the urge to anger Aiko in jealousy is far more satisfying to me. So, I take Lance's arm as we step into the backseat of one of the lined-up cars.
"You look beautiful," Lance whispers.
I recoil when he attempts to reach for my face.
He sighs, pulling his hand down. "You didn't wear the jewelry I gave to you."
"They're itching my skin," I reply flatly without even glancing at him.
The air between us continues to thicken, that it becomes suffocating.
Luckily, we manage to be civilized with each other until we finally arrive at the venue: Mayari's Temple, where all important events to all packs are being held, regardless whether they're enemies or allies, since no one would dare start a fight and disrespect this sacred place.
The moment I step inside, I instantly feel Alpha Torrin and Damian's presence: the mate-bond surges through me, my strength rushes back, and my wolf finally stirs.
Suddenly,...
Damian appears, offering me a drink. But Lance steps in front of him, glaring.
"This isn't the place for aggression. You'll risk your pack being banned from entering here ever again," Damian warns calmly.
Lance grabs my hand and pulls me close.
Then,...
He possessively slams his lips onto mine, making my stomach twist in displease.