I froze in place, my entire body going rigid as his grip tightened around my waist. My wolf snarled in protest, but it wasn’t strong enough to break free from him.
The scent of another woman still clung to him. The memory of him with her last night—her lips on his, the way he held her—made my stomach churn with disgust.
“Let go,” I ground out, my voice sharp, laced with fury.
My struggles were meaningless. Alpha Benedict was built like stone, and my attempts to free myself were as futile as an ant trying to topple a tree. His grip only tightened, pulling me closer.
The robe I had wrapped around myself after my shower loosened with my movements, slipping from my shoulders. I saw the shift in his gaze, the hunger darkening his eyes. My pulse quickened in warning.
I felt the change in him, the heat radiating from his body pressing into mine. The evidence of his desire was impossible to ignore, and it sent a fresh wave of anger surging through me.
I bit him, hard, tasting blood instantly. His breath hitched, but he didn’t release me. If anything, his grip became even more possessive, his free hand slipping beneath my robe.
My breath caught. I wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
Panic flared inside me, and I struggled harder, pushing at his chest. “Benedict, get out!” I spat.
But he didn’t move, his fingers trailing my skin with infuriating ease. “You need me too, don’t you?” His voice was low, coaxing, as if I had any reason to desire him.
A tremor of rage passed through me. “I hate you,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
That made him stop. Benedict went still; his gaze locked onto mine. Something flickered in his eyes—something like hesitation.
Then, without another word, he released me and stalked toward the door. The slam echoed through the room, shaking the walls. I clutched the robe tightly around myself, my breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. My hands trembled.
For the next few days, Benedict didn’t return to the packhouse.
I tried calling him. Not because I wanted him back—Goddess, no—but because I needed to make him sign the rejection papers. He ignored every attempt.
By the weekend, I was seated in the living room, submitting applications for work, when the front door opened. The scent of pine and cedar filled the room, unmistakably his.
I looked up. He looked different. More worn. His usual confident stance was still there, but his eyes were shadowed, his jaw tighter than usual.
I forced myself to remain calm, closing my laptop before meeting his gaze head-on. “Since you’re finally back, let’s talk about the divorce agreement.”
Benedict’s expression hardened. “I already told you; I won’t divorce you.”
My fingers curled into fists. “Then why are you here?”
“To remind you that we have a pack gathering tonight.”
I exhaled sharply. Every month, Benedict and I were expected to attend some pack meetings. His relatives despised me. Before, I endured it because I loved him, because I believed he loved me too. But after what I saw, I refused to pretend anymore.
“I’m not going,” I said firmly. “Go without me.”
Benedict’s eyes flashed with impatience. “Stop acting like a kid throwing a tantrum.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “You think this is a tantrum? I just want to be free of you.”
His jaw tightened. “And what will you do then? You don’t have a job. You don’t have a pack. How will you survive? And your grandma’s medical expenses—can you afford them?”
I stiffened.
Benedict took a step closer. “You’re not a naive teenager anymore, Felicia. You’re twenty-eight. You should be mature enough to understand how the world works.”
I gritted my teeth. “If maturity means tolerating your betrayal, then I’d rather be a fool. This is the divorce agreement. Sign it.”
He glanced at the papers in my hand but didn’t take them. Instead, he smirked. “And what is this? You want half of my assets?”
I lifted my chin. “It’s what I deserve.”
His smirk widened. “What exactly have you contributed? This house? My business? I’ve been the one paying your grandma’s hospital bills since we got married.”
I stared at him, unable to believe how easily he dismissed everything I had done. “If I hadn’t agree with this marriage, you never would have secured your position as Alpha of this pack. And you’re the one who insisted I stop working. I had a future, Benedict. A career. I could have made more than you ever spent on me.”
He laughed. “Who do you think would believe that now?”
My nails dug into my palms. I was done. I was done begging for freedom. If he wouldn’t sign, I would take this to the Elders.
I turned to leave, but his hand caught my wrist.
“Go change. We’re leaving for the gathering.”
I yanked my arm free. “I told you, I’m not going.”
His grip returned, firmer this time. “Don’t make me cut off your grandma’s treatment.”
Rage boiled inside me. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He pulled out his phone. “Doctor, I want to halt the payments for—”
I lunged, slapping the phone from his hand. My breath came in ragged gasps, my hands shaking with fury. “You bastard.”
Benedict smirked. “You have two choices, Felicia. Come with me tonight, or find another way to pay for your grandmother’s care.”
I wanted to rip his throat out. My wolf howled in protest, but I knew the truth. He held all the power.
For now. I clenched my jaw, swallowing my pride. “Fine.”
Benedict’s smile was victorious, but I vowed right then—I would not stay trapped forever. One day, I would make him regret ever trying to control me.
