Arthur’s POVThe second she spoke the words, “I accept your rejection, Alpha Lumian,” I felt it.It wasn't immediate.It wasn’t loud.It was silent, like the world inhaled sharply and never exhaled.And then it slammed into me.The bond.It was like nothing I had ever felt before. Nothing like what I’d heard others describe. This wasn’t gentle or warm. It was primal. Savage. A tether snapping into place between two souls that had waited too long.My knees almost gave out. My breath hitched, and for one terrifying second, I wasn’t in control of my body anymore. My wolf roared inside me, pushing against my skin like he was trying to tear his way out.Mate.He said it over and over again, a pulse through my blood, a demand in my bones.Mate. Mate. Mate.Liz's body trembling, but her eyes, those beautiful eyes, were locked on mine.She felt it too. I saw the moment it hit her. The way her breath caught. The way her hands trembled. My wolf lost control for a moment.He pushed forward, ha
Liz’s POVHe was stalling.I could feel it like the air had thickened like the whole world was holding its breath. Lumian stood at the edge of the platform, his shoulders pulled taut, his mouth opening and closing like the words were stuck behind his teeth.Why was this so hard for him?After everything?He’d already signed the papers. The pack was gathered. The rejection was meant to follow. It should’ve been simple.But he couldn’t do it.Why?I hated him for so many things for the silence, for the neglect, for the nights I cried myself to sleep beside a man who couldn’t look at me, I hated him for not listening to me when I needed him most and I hated him for always choosing her over me but I had loved him once. Truly and Deeply. I had loved him so much it hollowed me out.My heart was pounding so loud it drowned out everything else.“Please,” I said quietly. “Let me go.”And finally… he did.“I, Alpha Lumian of the Blackthorn Pack,” he said, voice low but steady now, “reject you,
Arthur’s POVI left the room, fighting to contain my excitement. I wanted to run to Liz and tell her that he had signed. Tell her that she was finally going to be free. But I couldn’t. Not yet. First, I had to finish this.Carlos and Liz’s parents were waiting outside. Their eyes locked on mine the second I stepped out.“Gather the pack. The public rejection needs to happen right away.” I ordered Carlos.Carlos didn’t hesitate. “Of course,” he said, already turning on his heel and disappearing down the hall.I didn’t wait another second.My pace quickened as I made my way through the packhouse. The walls felt closer than usual, like they, too, were holding their breath.When I reached my room, I opened the door quickly, almost afraid she’d somehow be gone.She wasn’t.She was still lying in the same spot I’d left her, curled on top of the blankets, her eyes distant.“Liz,” I said, my voice soft but full.She looked over immediately, and the second our eyes met, I saw it, the question
Lumian’s POVThe pen sat in front of me. All I had to do was pick it up.But my hand wouldn’t move.The room was silent. No one dared speak, but I could feel them—Arthur’s fury like a storm behind his eyes, Carlos practically vibrating with restrained violence, her mother’s quiet tears, her father’s rigid stance by the window.And the papers.They were just paper.But they might as well have been fire.I stared at her name.Not as Luna. Not as my mate. Just as Liz. A name I once thought would be carved into my future.A laugh quiet, broken echoed in my chest.I remembered the first time she said my name.Soft. Careful. Like she didn’t know if she was allowed to speak it.We’d been walking near the river, her hand brushing mine, and I had turned just in time to catch the pink blooming in her cheeks.“Lumian,” she said. “Do you ever wonder if this is really real?”I’d smiled. Told her it was more than real.She’d looked at me like I’d hung the moon.I’d loved that look.But somewhere a
Arthur’s POVThe room reeked of blood and ego.I stood between the two of them—one panting with rage, the other bleeding pride from his mouth. Lumian clutched his ribs. Carlos stood seething, his fists clenched at his sides, blood dripping from his lip.And I? I was done being patient.“I warned you both,” I said, voice low and final. “You want to fight? Fine. But not like this. Not in the same room where we speak her name.”The words landed like a blow. The silence was instant.I turned to Carlos first. “This isn’t how we honour her.”Carlos didn’t speak, didn’t move—but I could see it in the tightness of his jaw. He knew I was right.Then I turned to Lumian.“You ignored her cries for help,” I said coldly. “And now you are ignoring her final wish.”Lumian’s shoulders tensed. His gaze dropped to the floor, then shifted to the letter I now held in my hand.“She was our daughter,” a voice said from behind me. I turned.Liz’s father had stepped forward, his expression carved from grief
Carlos’s POVI stormed towards Lumian's office, my heart pounding with rage.I didn’t care that Arthur and my parents were supposed to be there first. Didn’t care that there was supposed to be some calm, planned conversation. I was done with calm. Done with waiting.My footsteps like thunder crashing through the silence of the pack house. Every guard I passed stepped back. They could see it in my eyes, this wasn’t just a warrior walking. This was grief, rage, and betrayal wrapped in skin.I shoved the office door open so hard it slammed against the wall.Lumian was at his desk, pretending like the world wasn’t on fire around him. He didn’t even flinch.“Carlos,” he said flatly, barely looking up. “You should knock.”“Did you sleep with her?” I roared, not bothering to hide the snarl in my throat.His head jerked up.“Excuse me?”“You heard me. Did. You. Sleep. With. Judy.”The silence was sharp. Tense. His eyes narrowed.“I’m your Alpha,” he said coldly. “Watch your tone.”“I don’t g