ALEAH GREGORY POV:
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but I felt none of its warmth. I hadn't slept. The memories of a life lived and lost warred with the impossible reality of the present.
I dressed and stood before the mirror. The woman looking back was young and beautiful, but her eyes held the weariness of a century.
Ryder padded into the room, rubbing his eyes, and made a beeline for my bed. It was his usual tactic, a bit of morning affection to get what he wanted.
Today, I knew he wanted me to take him to the training grounds to watch the Pack warriors. A privilege for an Alpha's son, and his favorite way to show off.
I remained still, watching him in the mirror's reflection.
He ran right into my legs, stumbling. He looked up, confused. "Momma?" he asked, his voice soft, but his eyes held a flicker of calculation I now recognized.
I didn't answer. I simply pointed to the blocks scattered across the floor. "Clean them up yourself." My voice was flat, devoid of any warmth.
Ryder froze. He had never been spoken to like that. His lower lip began to tremble, the prelude to a well-practiced tantrum.
Before the first tear could fall, I knelt, bringing myself to his eye level. "In the Conley household, the first thing a five-year-old cub needs to learn is to be responsible for his own actions."
My gaze was so cold it seemed to physically chill him. He forgot to cry, just stared at me, his mouth slightly agape.
Blair, drawn by the confrontation, crept over, clutching Ryder's sleeve.
I stood, giving them one last empty look, and walked out of the bedroom. It was the first time I had ever left them in the morning without a hug and a kiss.
Descending the grand staircase, I saw the butler, Edwin Foster, directing the staff as they prepared breakfast.
He bowed as I reached the bottom step. "Good morning, Luna. The Alpha has gone to the northern territories for an inspection. He's expected back this afternoon."
The northern territories? A cold smile touched my lips. I knew exactly where he was, and it wasn't there.
I walked into the dining room. Edwin pulled out my chair. The breakfast spread was lavish enough to feed a small army.
I didn't sit. I stood at the head of the table, my eyes sweeping over the servants of the Conley family.
"Edwin," I said. My voice was not loud, but it cut through the morning quiet. "I need to see the Pack Elders."
Edwin blinked, confused. "Now, Luna? The Elders typically only convene for the monthly council."
I shook my head, my voice calm and steady. "It's not for Pack business."
I took a deep breath, and dropped the bomb. "I, Aleah Gregory, am requesting The Rejection."
The great hall fell into a sudden, dead silence. Every servant froze, their shocked faces turning towards me.
An Omega. A wolfless Omega, initiating a rejection against her Alpha mate? It was unheard of. A scandal of epic proportions. A profound humiliation for the Alpha.
Edwin's face turned a ghastly white. "Luna... do you... do you know what you're saying? This is not something to joke about."
The collective shock of the staff was a satisfying confirmation. It amplified the gravity of my action, making it real, irreversible.
"I have never been more serious in my life," I said, my gaze locked on his. "Now. Immediately. Get Cassius on his communicator. Tell him that if he doesn't want the entire Alliance to know his Luna is publicly rejecting him in one hour, he had better get his ass back here."
I used the word 'ass.' Edwin flinched as if struck.
He didn't dare question me again. He fumbled for his communicator, his hands trembling as he dialed Cassius's number. As the call connected, his face flushed with a mixture of panic and embarrassment. He lowered his voice, but I could tell from his stammering that the scene on the other end was... inconvenient.
His expression grew more horrified. He hissed something into the device, then looked at me with wide, terrified eyes.
I had no interest in the details. I turned and walked into the formal sitting room, seating myself on a velvet sofa.
I knew he would come back. He would come back for his pathetic Alpha pride.
And I would be waiting. Waiting to personally sever the rotten bond between us.
From upstairs, I could hear the faint sounds of my children starting to cry. I ignored them.
