POV: Araya
The words hang in the air like a death sentence.
"I reject you."
Jasper's howl of anguish tears through the clearing. Not his wolf's howl, but a purely human sound of absolute devastation.
He collapses completely, his body wracked with sobs. The broken Alpha reduced to nothing.
Araya feels the final thread snap. The last echo of their mate bond dissolving into nothing.
She's free.
Truly, finally free.
Araya turns away from Jasper's broken form and walks toward Ronan. The Direwolf shifts back to human, his golden eyes burning with fierce possession and pride.
"You chose me," Ronan says. It's not a question, but he seems to need to hear it confirmed.
"I chose you," Araya agrees. "Not because my wolf told me to, but because you're the mate I want. The father I want for my
