TESSA“Daria, I’m going to the mansion right now,” I called out, and within moments she appeared in the doorway.“Alright. Do you want me to come with you?”"No. It’s fine. I’ll be right back.”She gave a small nod and I stepped outside toward the car already waiting to take me to the mansion. My bags were packed, every last thing I intended to take with me was ready. I still had enough money saved to rent a place for the next two or three months and enough to keep myself fed until I figured out what came next.So yes, I told myself I would be alright.The drive was quiet and when at last the car slowed to a halt before the mansion, I felt my chest tighten. The sun was pouring down and the flowers in the garden swayed in the golden light. This day is too beautiful to say goodbye to anyone.I saw Marina Alonso, Frederick’s mother. Her elegant dress was perfectly tailored and her pearl earrings caught the light with every movement.Her sharp gaze met mine as I walked closer. “What are y
FREDERICKThe next morning,With pen in hand, I traced a signature above my printed name, sealing the final stroke of the agreement. With this, the two pacts between our packs were officially bound.My assistant, Not Bridget, gave a brisk nod. “I’ll store the document and send a copy to Alpha Darius, Alpha.”“And remind him I’ll be meeting him today. Make sure he isn’t late.”“Understood.”I rose from my chair, snatched the keys from the desk, and strode out of my study. Stepping outside, I crossed the drive to where my car waited. My grandmother was already seated in the passenger seat.“And where exactly are you taking me?” She asked, one eyebrow arched.“You’ll see, Grandma,” I replied, sliding behind the wheel. I started the engine, letting the car glide steadily down the drive.After the news she gave last night, I had to shove aside every other concern including meeting Odette. Tessa's decision hit me harder than I cared to admit. Yesterday, all I wanted was to find her, demand
TESSA"Are you sure you’re going to do this? Don’t you at least want to reconsider, Tessa?" Daria’s voice halted my movements as I stuffed my clothes into the bag.I turned, finding her standing there with a sadness etched deep into her features.Seeing her like that, my sadness own ebbed, replaced by an unexpected pang of guilt. "I’m sorry," I murmured, crossing the space between us. "I know this is sudden but I truly believe it’s what’s best for me, Daria. I promise I’ll visit you as often as I can."She shook her head, "Can I just come with you?""What? No... I can’t take you with me. You’re Frederick’s pack member."My refusal wasn’t only for fear of Frederick’s reaction but for her safety. Wherever I ended up after this, it would be far less safe than staying here. This pack offered comfort and stability while out there she’d be starting over in an unfamiliar place struggling to settle. I couldn’t let her trade that.I had already weighed all of this before making my decision. T
FREDERICK"Yeah. You're right," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. There wasn’t much I could say in return.The collapse of the mating bond between Tessa and me had been entirely my fault. She wouldn’t have reached the point of rejecting me first if I hadn’t treated her so damn poorly.For a while, silence settled between us. Grandma took a slow sip of her wine, her sharp eyes still fixed on me."Of course I am," She said finally. "Fated mate or not, somewhere out there the right man is waiting for her, a true gentleman who will make her the happiest woman alive."I forced a faint smile.But deep inside, it felt as though a rope had been cinched tight around my chest. She was right. Tessa deserved that happiness, that right man. Still, the thought of it was like swallowing glass.A few minutes later, the maid returned but this time she was alone, Tessa wasn’t with her."Pardon me, Alpha, Mrs. Alonso," She said, lowering her gaze. "Tessa’s maid, Daria, has taken ill. So Tess
FREDERICKWhen I finally reached my room, I closed the door firmly behind me. Odette had screamed when I instructed two guards to escort her out cause she refused to leave on her own. No breakup is ever pleasant and ours was no exception, but I know this was for the best.Odette was one of the very few people I cherished, we’d grown up seeing each other’s lowest moments of life. Knowing we've been together so long, her betrayal was something I could never bring myself to accept.I can't continue our bond cause what would that mean for my pack members who had already lost faith in her? It's been a long time since I realized that being an Alpha means my relationship was not mine alone to indulge in; I had to weigh it against the loyalty of those who had followed me.So even though it's hard, this is the fairest choice.I hope Odette meets her fated mate one day and that she won’t be so stubborn as to cling to what we once had.I stepped into the bathroom to take a refreshing shower as I
FREDERICKStepping out of the car, I dragged my feet toward the mansion, feeling each step heavier than the last. No amount of work had ever drained me like this before and tonight I understood what it truly meant to be emptied of every shred of strength. I stopped midway, forcing myself to draw a long breath to still the chaos of emotions churning inside me.'I saw this coming, Frederick,' My wolf’s voice murmured in my head. 'Then why didn’t you warn and tell me Odette could betray us one day?''Because you wouldn’t have listened,' he replied, his tone sharp. 'Your stupid ass rejected my woman, my fated mate, that day and insisted on being with her instead.''So the unease I’ve felt all this time was it you protesting against me?'Silence. Nyx's presence shifted with irritation and I couldn’t fault him for it.Just yesterday after returning from Velmara’s territory I had thrown myself straight back into work. The report I had been waiting for finally landed on my desk today, the