Elana POV:
The guest room bed smelled of dust.
I lay awake, listening.
The front door slammed. Stumbling footsteps. Glass breaking.
Emilio was home, and he was drunk.
My wolf let out a low, warning growl.
The door burst open. Emilio swayed in the frame, tie undone, reeking of scotch and panic.
"Elana."
He stumbled toward the bed. I pulled the duvet up.
"You're not in the nest," he slurred. "Why aren't you in the nest?"
"There is no nest, Emilio. I destroyed it."
He blinked, amber eyes unfocused. He sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for my face. "The bond... it feels quiet. Why can't I feel you?"
He was sensing the void. The rotting connection.
I flinched away. "Don't."
His eyes flashed gold. Rejection triggered his instinct.
"I am your Alpha," he growled. "Do not turn away."
"You're drunk. Go to sleep."
"Come back to our bed." He grabbed my wrist. Hard. "Submit."
The Command slammed into me.
Usually, I'd be flattened. But tonight?
I felt the weight, like a heavy blanket. But inside, my wolf stood up. A strange, white heat flared in my chest, pushing back against the pressure.
I didn't submit. I just sat there, breathing.
Emilio looked confused. The Command failed. He shook his head, blaming the alcohol.
"Elana?" he whispered, sounding scared.
I couldn't show my hand yet. I slumped my shoulders, faking it.
"I'm tired, Emilio. Please. I'm... I'm still bleeding."
The mention of blood penetrated the haze. He recoiled, dropping my wrist.
"Right. Sick. Okay." He stood, swaying. "We fix this tomorrow. Moonstone doesn't break."
He stumbled out.
I waited until I heard snoring.
I crept into the master bedroom. He was passed out fully clothed. His phone was on the nightstand.
Passcode: His birthday. Narcissist.
I opened his messages.
Hayden: [Papers are ready for signature, baby. Legal says it's urgent to stop her from suing. Meet me at the office at 10 AM. I'm bringing champagne to celebrate our future.]
Celebrate.
Less than forty-eight hours after he killed our child.
I deleted the notification.
I wasn't just going to disappear. I was going to hand him the knife and watch him cut his own throat.
