Severing the Alpha's Bond

Chapter 2

When I woke, the stench of rot punched me in the face.

The old apothecary was a dumping ground for dried weeds and broken clay pots. The wind howled through the cracks in winter, and the damp seeped into the bones in summer.

No one in the pack lived here. It was where they locked up disobedient Omegas for a night of punishment.

I was lying flat on the dirt floor, my spine digging into shattered pottery.

My throat felt like sandpaper. My chest was entirely hollow. My wolf was curled up so deep inside me she refused to answer my call.

Footsteps stopped outside the door.

Stella pushed it open. She carried a steaming bowl of broth.

She crouched down and placed the bowl on the floor—just out of my reach.

"You put on quite the show last night."

I pressed my hands against the dirt and pushed myself into a sitting position. The room spun violently.

"What do you want?"

Her fingers drifted up to trace the crescent moon chain on her neck.

"Victor sent me to see if you were dead. After all, if you actually died, the Elders would punish him."

I stared at the bowl.

I could smell the sweet bay leaf. It was used to soothe the agony of a broken bond.

But beneath that, I smelled blackthorn. It paralyzed a Beta’s muscles temporarily.

I’d been an apothecary apprentice long enough. They couldn't hide poison in my face.

Stella nudged the bowl an inch closer.

"Drink it. Don't be stubborn. A Beta like you can't turn your life around just because you drew the lucky mate card."

I didn't move a muscle.

Her fake smile vanished. Her hand shot out, her manicured nails digging into my jaw.

"Cecilia, you better learn your place. Victor is going to lead this pack, and I am going to stand beside him. If you try to use that pathetic severed bond to get his pity, I’ll make sure you can't even stay in the healing wing."

Footsteps approached the cabin. Heavy. Familiar.

The second Victor stepped through the door, Stella released my jaw and her eyes instantly welled with tears.

"I—I just wanted her to drink the medicine! She refused! She called me a thief for taking her mate!"

I leaned back against the rotting wood wall. Dried blood crusted the front of my dress.

Victor’s eyes flicked to the bowl, then quickly looked away.

"Drink it."

My gaze clashed with his.

"It’s laced with blackthorn."

Stella gasped, pressing a hand to her chest.

"You're making up lies about the medicine just to frame me?"

A muscle ticked in Victor’s jaw.

"Stella has no reason to hurt you."

That sentence cut deeper than the freezing wind.

I laughed. I laughed until my ribs felt like they were splintering. My wolf stirred, letting out a weak, raspy breath.

"She has no reason? So I have a reason to lie?"

Victor didn't answer.

He unclipped a small vial from his belt and tossed it. It landed in the dirt at my feet.

"This is for the pain. Last night is over. Cecilia, stay away from Stella and me."

The vial rolled against a broken clay shard.

I recognized that bottle.

Three years ago, he held my hands and taught me how to brew that exact salve to save injured warriors.

Medicine can save a life, and it can take one, he had told me back then. The healer must be more clear-headed than the warrior with the blade.

Now, he tossed it at me like garbage. He wouldn't even bend down.

I picked up the vial, popped the cork, and inhaled.

Silver leaf powder.

The dose was weak. It wouldn't kill me. But it would severely stunt my inner wolf's recovery from the rejection.

Stella stared at the floor, fighting a smirk.

Victor turned toward the door.

I hurled the glass vial right at his boots.

It shattered. The liquid splattered across the dark leather.

"Victor. You gave me this so I can never shift again?"

He froze.

Stella rushed to speak, her voice trembling. "I—I brought that from the Head Healer! I didn't know there was silver in it! Cecilia, why do you always think the worst of everyone?"

Victor slowly crouched down. He picked up a shard of the glass, brought it to his nose, and went perfectly rigid.

For one second, I thought he would finally see the truth.

But he just closed his fist over the broken glass. When he spoke, his voice was deadly low.

"I will look into this."

I forced myself to stand. My legs shook violently.

"Look into it right now. In front of me."

Stella let out a choked sob.

"Victor, is she trying to drive me to death? I only wanted to help!"

He looked at her tears. Then he looked at me.

In that split second, I got my answer.

Victor shoved the broken glass into his pocket.

"Cecilia, go back to the apothecary and do your job. You are forbidden to leave the pack lands without my permission."

I gave a slow, bare nod.

"You're afraid I’ll tell people the future Alpha of Ash Pine fed silver to his rejected mate."

He closed the distance in one stride. His Alpha command crashed down on me, making my knees buckle.

"Do not test me."

I dug my nails into the wooden shelf beside me, forcing my legs to hold me up.

"You rejected me last night. You imprison me today. Victor, I must have been completely blind."

The cold mask on his face cracked for a fraction of a second.

Stella sobbed louder.

A throat cleared outside. An Elder was waiting.

Victor yanked his aura back, grabbed Stella’s arm, and dragged her out.

The door slammed shut, and the lock clicked into place.

I stood alone in the rotting room for a long time. When I was sure they were gone, I reached into the hem of my sleeve and pulled out a bone needle.

My mother gave it to me before she died.

If the pack ever treats you like trash, she had whispered, go to the border. Find the healers of Moon Deer Valley.

She also told me my blood was never to be spilled for just anyone.

I hadn't understood back then.

But last night, the violent backlash of the rejection had ripped open something dormant inside me. The blood I coughed up had landed on the dead herbs near the altar—and this morning, they had sprouted green shoots.

I stared at the palm of my hand.

The deep cuts from the clay shards were already closed. Only a faint pink line remained.

In the dark hollow of my chest, my wolf opened her eyes and nudged me with her snout.

Leave.

Leave right now.

I hid the bone needle back in my sleeve and walked over to the locked door. I slid the needle into the keyhole.

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