Chapter 5
947 Words
The walk back to my cottage felt endless.
Lila stayed close, her arm looped through mine, but she didn’t speak. There was nothing to say. The entire pack had watched me march up to the Alpha, challenge him in front of everyone, and then get dismissed again—like a pest he could swat away.
By the time we reached the small porch, my legs were shaking. I sank onto the top step, burying my face in my hands.
“I’m such an i***t,” I whispered. “Why did I do that? Now they all think I’m desperate and pathetic.”
Lila sat beside me, fierce as ever. “No. They think you’re brave. You said what no one else dared to say to his face. Even Damon looked shocked—and he’s known Kai since they were pups.”
I shook my head. “It didn’t change anything. He still sat there and let Victoria touch him like she’s already Luna.”
The memory of her hand on his arm twisted something sharp inside me. The bond, frayed and bleeding, still pulled toward him with stubborn desperation.
I couldn’t stay here.
Not another day watching him with her. Not another night feeling the pack’s pitying stares. And definitely not when my belly would soon round with a secret that would destroy us both.
I lifted my head. “I’m leaving.”
Lila blinked. “What?”
“Tonight. After dark. I’ll pack a bag and go to the city.” My voice steadied as the decision settled over me like armor. “I have some savings from cleaning jobs. Enough to rent a room and find work. Humans won’t care that I don’t have a wolf.”
Lila’s eyes filled with tears. “Evie, you can’t just—you’re pregnant.”
The word hung between us, spoken aloud for the first time.
I pressed both hands to my stomach, protective. “Exactly why I have to go. If anyone finds out, they’ll force me to stay. Force me to tell him. And then what? He’ll claim the pup for the pack and keep me like some obligation? Or worse—take the baby and send me away?”
Lila’s face crumpled. “He wouldn’t—”
“He rejected me publicly, Lila. Twice. He chose power over the mate bond. Do you really think he’d choose a wolfless omega and a surprise pregnancy over being the perfect Alpha?”
She was quiet for a long moment. Then she nodded, slow and reluctant. “Okay. But I’m helping you pack. And you’re taking my emergency cash too.”
We spent the afternoon quietly gathering what little I owned: clothes, a few photos of my parents, the worn quilt my mother made. Every item went into one duffel bag. I left the blue dress from the ball folded on the bed—I never wanted to see it again.
As dusk fell, Lila hugged me so hard I could barely breathe. “Promise you’ll message me when you’re safe. And if you ever need anything—anything—I’ll find a way to get to you.”
“I promise.” My throat burned. “You’ve been the best friend I could ever ask for.”
She pressed a folded wad of bills into my hand, then walked me to the edge of the woods where the pack border thinned. One last hug, tears on both our faces, and then I slipped between the trees.
The forest was familiar, every path etched into my memory from years of gathering herbs for the pack healer. I knew exactly where the patrols were lightest tonight—most warriors would be recovering from the ball or guarding the eastern border where rogues had been sighted.
I moved quickly, quietly, heart pounding.
And then his scent hit me again.
Strong. Close.
I froze behind a thick oak, barely daring to breathe.
Kai stepped into the small clearing ahead, alone. Moonlight filtered through the branches, turning his black hair silver at the edges. He looked… wrecked. Shirt untucked, eyes wild, fists clenched like he was fighting himself.
He paced, muttering under his breath.
“This is insane. She’s my mate. My true mate.” A low growl rumbled from his chest. “Goddess, what have I done?”
He stopped, head tilting as if listening to his wolf.
Then he punched a tree so hard the trunk cracked, bark flying.
I pressed a hand over my mouth to stay silent.
He slid down to sit against another tree, head in his hands. “I can still feel her. The bond—it’s killing me.”
My own chest throbbed in answer. Tears slipped down my cheeks.
For one heartbreaking moment, I almost stepped out. Almost ran to him. Told him everything.
But then I heard Victoria’s voice in my mind: *We can’t afford weakness.*
And the elders nodding.
And the warriors agreeing.
And Kai—sitting silently while I humiliated myself.
No.
I backed away slowly, carefully, until his scent faded and the pull eased enough for me to think.
I turned and ran.
Through the border. Past the last patrol marker. Into human territory where no one would track a wolfless girl.
By the time the pack house lights disappeared behind miles of trees, I was sobbing—but my steps didn’t falter.
I was free.
Or as free as a rejected, pregnant omega could ever be.
Behind me, somewhere in the distance, a lone wolf howled—long, anguished, heartbroken.
I didn’t know if it was Kai’s wolf mourning the bond… or just the wind.
But I didn’t look back.
- Writer
