Lavender sat on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she stared at the small bundle of herbs Dr. Dahlia had left for her. The healer had been a quiet but constant ally in her journey, teaching her how to harness the power that had always been within her, but she hadn’t known how to use it.
She’d spent hours training with Dahlia in secret, learning how to call upon her healing abilities in new ways. At first, she’d only been able to mend small cuts and bruises, but now, her powers were growing stronger—strong enough, she hoped, to finally break free from Cedar’s hold.
The thought of the bonding ritual Cedar had proposed made her stomach turn. She couldn't go through with it. She wouldn’t.
Her mind wandered back to the day Cedar had told her about Fern being his true mate. The coldness in his eyes when he said it, the way he tried to justify his betrayal, still stung. He had promised her that they would reject their fated mates. And now he was asking her to accept Fern as part of their bond, as if nothing had ever happened.
Her wolf growled low in her chest at the thought. Cedar’s commands still held power over her, but Lavender could feel it slipping, like the first cracks in an old stone wall. She was changing, becoming stronger, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Lavender closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. The soft whisper of her healing powers hummed through her body. She was more than just his mate. She was a healer, a special kind of werewolf with unique abilities. One of those abilities was the power to break free from the control of an alpha, to reject him without him needing acceptance for it to become effective.
Later that day, Lavender found herself in the pack’s garden, the quiet space offering her a brief escape from the chaos of the packhouse. She had become familiar with the garden, especially the small alcove where she often went to meditate and practice her healing. Today, though, she was not alone.
Dr. Dahlia was there, waiting by a patch of lavender plants that had been her namesake. The healer had a calm look on her face, as if she had been expecting Lavender all along.
"You’re growing stronger," Dr. Dahlia said. "But you still have much to learn, Lavender. Your power is not just about healing others—it’s about healing yourself. You must understand that before you can truly reject Cedar."
Lavender nodded, though her heart was heavy with doubt. "But how can I heal myself? Especially since the bruises of infidelity are harder to mend than physical wounds?"
Dr. Dahlia took a step closer. "You must trust your power. Trust that your bond with Cedar was never meant to be permanent. And then reject him."
Hope sparked inside her, though she was still afraid. Could it really be that simple? Could she truly reject Cedar after everything they had been through?
"But what about the pack?" Lavender asked. "What about everything Cedar said? If I reject him, it’ll destroy everything. The pack that he had united for the greater good will fall. He always says, I'm the heart of his pack, and without me, they will crumble."
The healer shook her head gently. "The pack will adjust. It’s not your responsibility to keep everything together. You were never meant to carry that burden alone."
Lavender inhaled deeply. She had spent so long thinking she had to fix everything that she had to stay by Cedar’s side for the sake of the pack. But now it was clear. Cedar was only after the welfare of the pack. And not her.
Cedar had only been drawn to what she could contribute, not to what she truly needed.
How come she realized this now, after all this time?
Dr. Dahlia smiled as if reading her thoughts. "I know this isn’t easy, but I believe in you, child. Do this for yourself. For your future and for your own happiness."
Lavender clenched her fists, feeling her healing power pulse through her veins. "I won’t let him control me anymore."
The healer’s gaze softened, and she placed a hand on Lavender’s shoulder. "When you are ready, you will have the strength to reject him.Your wolf will have the strength to challenge the alpha's dominance and stand independently."
Lavender stood tall. She could do this. She would do this.
That night, as she lay in her bed, her mind was clearer than it had been in weeks. Cedar’s presence in her life, his power over her, no longer felt as absolute.
Tomorrow, she will train harder. Tomorrow, she will take a step closer to achieving her freedom. And when the time came, she would reject him with all the strength she had.
