After a while, I stepped out of the kitchen den and saw Alistair and our pup sitting casually on the long fur-covered couch, flipping through crystal screens as if nothing had happened.
Neither of them apologized.
They expected everything to return to normal—like it always did. Me swallowing the hurt. Me pretending their cruelty didn’t matter.
But I was done.
I bent down to pick up the bond-severing papers I had dropped earlier, ready to speak, when the front door opened.
Rixana walked in like she owned the den.
Her lips were painted the deep red of blood roses. A fitted crimson silk dress clung to her body. Pearls glimmered at her throat, her hair curled to perfection. On her finger, a moon-cut diamond ring flashed brightly.
The same ring I had found in Alistair’s bag three days ago.
She paused when she saw me crouched on the floor, then let out a soft laugh, thin and sharp with hidden scorn.
“Theona,” she said lightly, “what happened to you? Cleaning this late into the night?”
I lifted my head.
In her polished eyes, I saw my reflection—tired, faded. My clothes hung loose. Water dripped from my hands, a yellow cleaning glove still clinging to my wrist like a cruel reminder of what I had just pulled from the sink.
I looked like a wolf worn down by years of neglect.
And yet, my mate ruled a wealthy territory.
I shouldn’t have looked like this.
Before I could reply, Rixana swept past me as if I didn’t exist. She pulled out two finely wrapped gift boxes and handed them to Alistair and our pup.
“Ravyn, this is for you,” she said warmly. “I remember you said you needed a new tie. And Alistair, I chose something special for you too.”
Alistair opened his box and smiled faintly—until he saw what was inside. He coughed and quickly hid the branded underclothes, a flush rising to his face.
Ravyn didn’t react at all. Instead, he lifted the tie with delight.
“Aunt Rixana, this is perfect,” he said. “I needed one for the engagement feast.”
Alistair nudged him sharply, but it was too late.
Engagement feast?
My voice came out slow and fragile. “You’re getting mated?”
Neither of them looked at me.
I stepped forward. “Why am I only hearing this now? I haven’t even met her.”
Ravyn hesitated, then shrugged. “Come on, Mother. Look at you. If Zyria met you first, this mating probably wouldn’t even be happening.”
I swallowed hard. “Then who stood in for me?”
He looked away. “Aunt Rixana did.”
The world tilted.
My knees nearly buckled.
Seeing my silence, Ravyn waved it off. “She’s your best friend, right? Her going is basically the same as you going. Can we not turn this into drama?”
I stared at him. “I’m your mother, Ravyn,” I said, my voice breaking. “I am.”
It was the first time I had raised my voice in years.
Ravyn froze.
Then Rixana laughed softly. She leaned down and plucked the bond-severing papers from my hands as if they were a joke.
“Oh, Theona,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Still playing these little games? At your age?”
Her tone was light—but sharp beneath the sweetness.
“This sort of drama is cute when you’re young. Not now.”
Then she looked at me slowly, with open pity.
“You really think that if Alistair breaks the bond, you’ll find someone better?”
Alistair sighed loudly. “She’s been like this since the concert,” he said, turning to Rixana. “Acting like we’re the ones at fault. You and I know nothing improper happened, but she refuses to accept it.”
Rixana gently rubbed his temples. “Let me handle her,” she said patiently. “She’ll calm down.”
That was when I laughed—empty and cold.
“Perfect,” I said. “Then I’ll leave you two alone. I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of your happy ending.”
Alistair’s eyes hardened, but before he could reply, Rixana stepped forward.
“Theona, you’re misunderstanding everything. Please, let me explain—”
She reached out.
The diamond ring on her finger scraped across my hand—cutting my skin.
The pain was sharp.
Something inside me broke.
I shoved her.
She cried out and fell hard, silk and pearls scattering as she hit the floor.
Alistair rushed to her like a warrior protecting his queen.
“Theona, have you lost your mind?!” he roared.
He knelt beside Rixana, checking her arms, her shoulders. “Are you hurt? Are you alright?”
His voice shook. “Ignore her. She’s completely unstable.”
Rixana shook her head weakly.
Alistair turned on me, fury blazing. “I’ve tried to be patient, but this is too much! I told you nothing happened, yet you attacked her!”
He snatched the bond papers from her lap.
“You want to end the bond? Fine. Then it’s done.”
He signed his name with violent strokes and threw the papers at my feet.
“Pack your things and leave my territory.”
Then he took Rixana’s hand and spoke loudly enough for me to hear.
“Let’s go upstairs. Now that the bond is broken, no one can accuse us of crossing any lines.”
They walked away together, up the stairs, like the final scene of a story I never chose to be part of.
I didn’t scream.
I didn’t cry.
I bent down, picked up the papers, and signed my name slowly.
Behind me, Ravyn scoffed.
“Happy now?” he snapped. “You destroyed a perfectly good family. Honestly, Mother… I’m ashamed of you.”
I said nothing.
But inside, I whispered back.
You’ve disappointed me too.
