As I walked away, Alaric's face darkened. For a brief moment, panic flashed through his eyes. He started to take a step toward me, but then Ravenna clutched her stomach and groaned.
"Alaric, it hurts," she gasped, then forced out a teary plea. "But Selene's more important. Go after her."
Alaric hesitated only a second before shaking his head. "No. Don't worry about her. Right now, your condition is what matters most."
He glanced down the corridor where I'd disappeared, and I heard him mutter, "Selene's just throwing a tantrum. She's eight months along with the pup. She'll be terrified if I reject the bond. I'll talk to her later."
Then he scooped Ravenna up and carried her into the healer's chamber.
When I got back to the Alpha Den, I stood outside for a long moment, staring at the house that was supposed to be ours. Since Ravenna returned to Blackthorn territory, Alaric had barely been home. His scent, cedar and cold iron and storm ozone, had grown faint in every room, layered over now by absence. I could no longer feel the warmth this den once held.
I walked to the wall, took down the portrait from our mating ceremony, and tossed it straight into the trash.
I didn't want to leave a single trace of myself here. Not one reminder of what used to be.
I packed up all the tokens of our bond, the paired moonstone carvings, the ceremonial sashes, the shared hunt trophies, and stuffed them into a bag. I was heading down the stairs with it when the front door suddenly swung open. Alaric walked in, carrying Ravenna in his arms.
When he saw me standing silently by the door, a flicker of guilt flashed across his face.
"She's not feeling well after what you did," he said, like that explained everything.
"Not feeling well, huh?" I scoffed. "Then why isn't she in the Moon-Healers' Hall? Why the hell would you bring her here? Do you think our den is some kind of recovery center for claim-seeking she-wolves?"
"Watch your words, Selene," he snapped. His Alpha aura pressed outward, just enough to make the air between us heavier. "I'm trying to fix things here. Whether you like it or not, Ravenna is staying in this den."
Ravenna chimed in, her hand moving to gently rub her belly. "It's true, Selene. There's nothing going on between Alaric and me. I'm only staying for the pup."
She said it just to provoke me. The faintest trace of her scent, night jasmine and copper, curled through the air like something claiming ground that wasn't hers.
I could feel the anger rising in my chest, bubbling and hot. My wolf surged beneath my skin, hackles raised, teeth bared at the intrusion. I looked at Alaric and said, firm and loud, "This is our den, Alaric. I don't want her living here."
Alaric paused. His face twisted like he was conflicted. But then Ravenna grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly.
Alaric's heart melted instantly. When he turned back to me, his voice was full of irritation. "That's enough! You're carrying a pup too. How can you have zero empathy?"
"You pushed Ravenna. I'm just trying to take care of her. If you don't want her here, then maybe you should leave."
His words hit like a slap.
I stared at him, the blood draining from my face. My whole body trembled. Inside me, my wolf went completely still, as if something had broken so cleanly it didn't even make a sound.
And then I said, as clearly as I could, "As you wish."
Tonight would be my last night in this den. After this, I'd be gone, and Alaric Blackthorn would be a closed chapter in my life.
With my decision made, I grabbed the bag in my hand and marched out the door.
Ravenna's voice followed behind me, laced with mock pity.
"Don't fight because of me, Alaric. Look, she's so angry she even took down your mating portrait."
Alaric's voice rumbled low with frustration. "She's just being dramatic. Once she realizes I'm not playing her game, she'll come crawling back."
A tear slid down my cheek. I walked into the cold night and threw the bag away along with the very last shred of love I had left for him. The moon hung overhead, distant and pale, and said nothing at all.
