That life is gone.
1246 Words
Alicia’s POV
I forced myself to walk toward the door even though every step away from Theo felt like hell.
“No!” Theo yelled, rushing from behind me.
In a flash, he was in front of me, blocking the door. His golden eyes glowed, which meant he was fighting his wolf for control. He had to be desperate, for his wolf was ready to come out.
He reached out, brushing his fingers against my arm gently. “Alicia, don’t do this. We’ve known each other since we were children, You can’t just throw us away!”
Ten years. In my past life, we had known each other for over ten years. I had loved him for that long and he used wolfsbane on me.
“You’re my mate,” he added, voice cracking. “We’re destined...”
I shoved him away from me. Hard.
He stumbled back, hitting the wall. He looked hurt, but not nearly as hurt as I wanted him to be.
“Don’t touch me,” I hissed, staring him down. “You want me because of my powers and because I make you look good. Not because you love me.”
His jaw tightened. At least he didn’t deny it.
He wanted me to live with Dahila in the pack. I did that in my past life, and all the shenanigans she did, causing problems between me and Theo, ran through my head.
Dahila collapses dramatically every time Theo and I get close, her crocodile tears if I touch her just a little. The way Theo would drop everything, including me, to rush to her side. How he never once questioned what she was up to. How every argument ended with him walking away from me right into her arms.
I should’ve seen it back then. I should’ve left, goddess; I was so stupid; it took getting burned to crisp to come back to my senses.
“If Dahila is the one you crave so badly,” I bit out, “then let her be your Luna. She seems to have you wrapped around her little finger already.”
His eyes blazed. Somewhere behind me, Dahila whimpered.
The door was thrown open while I continued speaking and Theo's parents walked in looking surprised.
“You want someone you can play savior for?” I stepped closer, hissing. “Then you should be with her. Because whatever you had with me? It’s over.”
Theo clenched his fists. He didn’t want Dahila as his Luna. I could see that in his eyes.
But now, he had no choice.
Under pack law, if anyone's true mate rejected them and they bonded with a second chance mate, they were bound for life.
Theo would have to name Dahila his Luna.
"You're going to make an Omega, my Luna?" He hissed, furious.
His parents rushed forward.
"What's going on here?" His father bellowed.
"Alicia, don’t do this,” his mother pleaded. “Think about what you’re throwing away. Our packs, our alliance. It took years to build what we have now.”
His father nodded. “It's just a little lover spat. I'm sure you and Theo will kiss and make up."
"No we won't," I said plainly.
Where were they when their son brought Dahila into our home? When he paraded her around the place? When he set me on fire because of her?
They said nothing. They did nothing! I would be foolish if I stayed.
"Think wisely, little girl,* His father growled. "You're going to throw away everything your father and I worked for because of one mistake."
Before I could answer, my parents stepped forward.
“We support our daughter’s decision,” my father said firmly.
Mom added. “She owes no one an explanation. Least of all people who let her be disrespected.”
I almost cried. How did I not see this in the past? How did I not realize that I didn’t need Theo's or his parent's approval?
"Come, Alicia. We're leaving." Mom said, and without looking back, we left the Ember Pack.
Back in my pack, I felt uneasy. The adrenaline from standing up to Theo had faded, leaving only a doubt in the back of my mind.
Was my decision too reckless? Would it damage my pack’s future?
I found my parents in my father's study whispering to each other. They stopped and gave me a smile when they saw me.
I hesitated at the door, rubbing my feet together. “I need to ask you something.”
My father nodded, "Sure, come in,"
“Do you think… will rejecting the alliance affect relationships between the packs?”
My mother replied immediately. “No alliance is worth your dignity.” She took my hands, stroking them lightly.
"You have nothing to worry about," Dad said. "We will always stand by your choices, Alicia. Always.”
I was so relieved I almost fell. Thankfully, mom caught me just in time. She stared down at my face and asked softly. “Are you hurting?”
That one question shattered everything I had been holding in.
I collapsed into her arms, sobs racking my body as everything came crashing down on me.
How could I ever forget how he betrayed me? How could I ever forget the feeling of my skin getting burned off as I screamed in agony?
Mom held me, her hands stroking my back, while Dad pulled us into his arms and held us both.
I couldn't keep it from them. "I need to tell you everything.”
So I did.
From the moment I’d agreed to let Dahila stay. To the manipulation and lies, to how Theo had chosen her over and over again. How our wedding turned into my funeral, how I had burned alive in our bedroom.
When I finished, my parents looked so pale, I could swear they had seen a ghost.
Then they pulled me into a fierce hug. .
"It's okay," Mom whispered, stroking my hair. "It’s all over now. That life is gone.”
“This time, I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again," Dad promised.
It felt immensely good to know they were on my side.
Later, while lying in my bed, feeling much better, I felt my wolf's presence slowly on either seat.
I sat up quickly. “Are you there?”
I’m here, came a tiny whisper in my mind.
She sounded so far away and weak.
No no. What's happening? What's wrong?
Rejecting Theo, my wolf croaked. It drained me more than I expected. I need to rest, Alicia. Just for a while. I'll return when I can.
Panic surged through me. She had been my constant companion, even when everyone else turned their backs. In my past life, she stayed with me until the bitter end, I can't possibly lose her now.
And just like that, the connection was gone.
I stared at the wall, my chest felt empty. My wolf was-
“Alicia!”
Candy burst in like a tornado, her red curls bouncing everywhere and her eyes wide with alarm.
She crossed the room in three long strides and threw herself on my bed beside me. “Okay, tell me everything. I heard you burned Theo to the ground, and honestly? I could smell the ash from here.”
Despite myself, I smiled.
If there was one other person I could always count on aside from my parents? It was Candy.
- Writer
