Bree
I stood in front of the plot, silently observing the digging.
"Are you sure about this spot?" Rosa hesitantly asked.
"It's just dirt," I replied coldly, kicking a clump towards the edge.
"I'd rather be buried here than somewhere I don't belong."
Rosa didn't protest. She wasn't one to argue once I had made up my mind. But the pity in her eyes made my skin crawl.
"Don't tell him. He doesn't deserve to know," I ordered.
Rosa tried to open her mouth, but I silenced it with a glare.
"Promise me."
She reluctantly nodded.
Laughter from a distance broke the moment. My ears focused instinctively on the sound. It's Kyle. And even without turning, I knew who was with him. Janice's light and teasing voice drifted on the gentle breeze. My fists clenched when I turned away from the plot.
"This is done," I muttered, walking toward my car without waiting for Rosa.
Back at our home, every corner flashed with memories, suffocating me. Even the piles of gifts on the dresser taunted me. And in a fit of rage, I yanked the drawer and seized the small jewelry box Kyle had given me last year.
“For the only woman who’ll ever hold my heart,” he’d said when he slipped the necklace around my neck.
Liar.
I sent the box flying across the room and collided with the wall, spilling its contents onto the floor. Next was a framed photo on the mantle. My heart raced as I watched the glass shattered on the floor.
And then I found the pictures.
Tucked under the bed, hidden in an envelope, were photos of Kyle and Janice - smiling, touching, together. Pain and anger threatened to consume me as I stared at the concrete evidence of his betrayal. I chuckled in tears. He didn't even try to hide it.
Now, I am driving and gripping the steering wheel so tight. The headlights cut through the darkness. I'm leaving everything and everyone behind. And I thought I would feel free, but my chest felt empty as if the curse consumed me.
Suddenly, a truck appeared out of nowhere. I slammed on the brakes, tires screeching as our vehicles collided and sent me jolting forward. The sound of metal crunching and glass shattering felt unreal. Pain shot through my body, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart.
When I finally opened my eyes, everything was tilted. Steam hissed from the car's engine; the accident completely wrecked it. I groaned, trying to move, but my limbs felt heavy and unresponsive.
And then I saw them.
Kyle was crouched on the opposite side of the road, cradling Janice in his arms as if she were the most precious thing in the world. His fingers cupped her face, his voice frantic yet gentle.
"You're okay. I've got you."
He didn't even glance my way.
I laughed bitterly; a raw and broken sound escaped my lips. Of course, I didn't matter. But it still hurt like hell. I cried watching them until I lost consciousness.
The sterile smell of the hospital stung my nose when I awakened. Every breath I took was accompanied by a sharp pain in my ribs, and the bright lights above me made my head throb.
Kyle was sitting in the corner of the room, his head buried in his hands. When he saw I was awake, he quickly stood, his face went pale.
"Bree..."
"Don't," I immediately cut him off.
He flinched, but his desperation only fueled my anger.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean..."
“Didn’t mean what?” I snapped.
“Didn’t mean to sleep with Janice? Didn’t mean to break the bond? Or didn’t mean to leave me bleeding while you played hero to her?”
His mouth opened, but no words came out.
“That’s what I thought.”
I turned and faced the wall. Kyle moved closer, but I held up a hand.
“You’ve done enough, Kyle. Get out.”
“Bree, please..."
“If you don't want to go, I will reject you."
"Bree..."
"I reject you, Kyle, as my mate and Alpha."
"No, Bree..."
"Accept it!"
Kyle stood stunned. It took all my strength to yell and convince him to let me go.
"I said, accept it!"
"I... yes, I accept..."
Kyle turned around, leaving me to cry and grieve finally.
