“Esme! You insolent wretch! I’ll make you pay for this!" Cain roared. But I didn’t look back.
I walked out of the auction house, past the murmuring crowd, and hailed a cab.
My fingers trembled as I dialed a number, I hadn’t thought I’d ever use: Elder Marcus of the Whitehorn Pack, the leader of their councils of Elders and uncle to Alpha Kearan, the strongest Alpha in the state.
“Elder Marcus,” I said clearly, despite the tremor in my soul.
“It’s Esme. I’m calling about the offer before."
There was a brief pause before his deep voice rumbled, surprised but satisfied. “Luna Esme,” he said. “I was wondering when you’d come to your senses. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is perfect,” I replied, and a bitter laugh escaped my lips.
“I’ve severed the mate bond. I’ve left him. I need your help with Cain. With my grandmother."
His tone turned serious.
“My private medical team is always prepared. I would have your grandmother transferred beyond Cain’s reach right away”.
A wave of profound relief washed over me.
“Thank you,” I whispered genuinely. “But...there is a condition for this, isn’t it?”
“You remember my nephew, Alpha Kearan?” he asked subtly.
“The one who offered marriage before?” I countered, a hint of apprehension tightening my voice. Kearan was strong, dangerous, a true Alpha, but his intensity had always intimidated me.
“Exactly,” Marcus confirmed.
“He’s still willing to take you as his Luna. Tomorrow. A public declaration, a mating ritual, and signing of the agreement. And in return, we will help strip Cain of everything. He will be nothing. Less than nothing."
My mind raced, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Marry Kearan? It was a strategic alliance, but it was also freedom and revenge.
"Done," I said without hesitation.
"Tell Kearan I accept. Prepare everything. Tomorrow, I become the Luna of the Whitehorn Pack. And Cain… Cain will finally pay".
As I spoke, my mind drifted back to when I first met Kearan nine months ago. The annual Alpha’s Summit is a gilded cage of forced smiles and clinking glasses. I stood beside Cain, his arm around my waist, his gaze already straying to the packs across the hall.
Then, silence fell. Alpha Kearan entered, his presence filled with raw power, an untamed grace. His eyes, molten silver, swept the room, pausing, locking onto me. Cain’s grip tightened, a subtle warning, a possessive squeeze. But Kearan strode through the gathered Alphas, cutting a path straight to me. He stopped directly before us, his gaze burning into mine, ignoring Cain completely.
“Mate!” he growled softly.
Cain stiffened beside me.
“She is already mated, Alpha Kearan. To me."
Kearan’s lip curled, his eyes never leaving mine.
"What is your name, my lady?"
“E...Esme,” I whispered.
“Break free, Esme. Stand with me. Be the Luna you were born to be. Not a pawn in another’s game."
My heart pounded. Cain’s hand clamped down on my arm. I looked from Kearan’s burning gaze to Cain’s rigid, furious face.
“I... I cannot,” I whispered.
“My loyalty is to my pack. To Cain."
Kearan leaned closer, disappointment shadowing his eyes, but also a glimmering of understanding.
“Remember this moment, Esme. When he breaks you, truly breaks you, my offer still stands. The Whitehorn Pack will always be your refuge. And when you come to me, Cain, I will make you pay for every tear she sheds."
He turned, a silent command to Marcus, and they walked away, leaving a gaping silence. Cain had pulled me close, whispering reassurances, but the image of Kearan’s resolute eyes haunted me.
“Take me home,” I told the driver, snapping back to the present as I ended the call with Marcus.
I went to our room and grabbed the luggage I’d packed days ago. On the nightstand, the signed severance document lay. I picked it up, a grim satisfaction spreading through me.
I took every gift Cain had given me, every picture we had together, and burned them. The flames consumed the memories, just as he had turned my life to ash. I took a picture of the pyre and posted it on Instagram with the caption, Free at last!
I smiled, admiring the post that garnered comments within seconds. Then, I blocked everyone in the pack, especially Cain and Athena, from my social media accounts. I broke my old SIM card and inserted a new one into my new phone, severing the last digital ties to my past.
Before I left, I made a detour to the kitchen. I found a small, untouched chocolate cake in the cooler. Perfect! I grabbed it and a marker. On the counter, I scribbled a note on the cake box: “Happy freedom, Cain. Don’t worry, you’re invited to my mating ritual." I set it next to a bottle of his favorite whiskey and a copy of the severance document.
With my bag slung over my shoulder, I left the mansion for good, heading to meet Alpha Kearan, ready to prepare for a mating ritual.
