Jayde POV:
The walls were thick, but wolf hearing is a curse.
I spent the night listening to the master suite down the hall. Giggles. The heavy thud of the mattress. The sounds of him loving her.
I buried my head under two pillows and hummed until my throat hurt.
Morning came. I felt like a ghost haunting my own life.
I went for coffee. Black. Like my mood.
Chloie walked in wearing nothing but Brendan's shirt. It hung to her mid-thighs.
"Morning, Jayde," she yawned, stretching like a well-fed cat. "Storm was loud last night, huh?"
She knew.
"Slept like a log," I deadpanned.
Brendan walked in, buttoning his shirt, radiating fresh energy.
"I need the itinerary," Chloie said, hopping onto the counter.
"Front and center," Brendan said, grabbing an apple. He avoided my eyes.
I gripped my mug. "I need to go to the admin office. Renew my travel permit."
Brendan finally looked at me, his gaze snagging on the leather cuff covering my burn. He frowned. "Why?"
"Just in case."
"Don't go near the neutral zones," Brendan warned. "Rogue activity is up. I can't spare warriors to fetch a single wolf right before the coronation."
Translation: You aren't worth the effort.
"I know how to run," I said.
"That's all you know how to do," Chloie muttered. "Maybe find a nice Beta boy while you're out. Someone... safe. Someone who doesn't need a real wolf."
The temperature in the kitchen plummeted.
Brendan stopped chewing. A low growl vibrated in his chest-involuntary, possessive.
"She doesn't need a mate," he snapped. "She needs to focus on her duties."
"Just saying," Chloie shrugged. "Tick tock."
I slammed my mug down. "I'm going."
I walked into the pouring rain. I needed it to wash the smell of that kitchen off me.
I reached the town square. The massive digital Pack Bulletin Board was flashing.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Brendan and Chloie. Looking regal. Looking in love.
Date: The Night of the Blood Moon.
My leaving date.
My phone buzzed. Then my head started to ring.
Congratulations, Alpha!
Long live the Luna!
The Mind-Link. The pack was pouring their joy into the collective web. It was a cacophony of happiness that felt like nails on a chalkboard.
Jayde?
Brendan's voice cut through the noise.
Jayde, where are you? You're blocking your location.
I closed my eyes. I visualized the silver cord connecting me to the pack.
And I severed it.
I built a mental brick wall. I shut them out. I shut him out.
The silence was sudden and absolute.
I wish you happiness, Alpha, I whispered to the rain. Because you destroyed mine.
