Chapter 4

“I told myself that I didn't care, that she could be with anyone but I lied.” —Alpha Rhett.

RHETT

“You’re not listening to us, Alpha Rhett,” Elder Kirian said, his tone firm, snapping me out of my spiral.

But it was too late. My thoughts had already slipped deep into the pit I’d been trying to avoid for weeks now.

I clenched my jaw, staring at the long polished table in front of me, pretending to focus while my mind drifted somewhere else entirely.

Two weeks ago, I heard she was getting married. She got married the next day after the rejection.

It didn't make any sense. And to Tarek of all people?

It felt like the ground opened and swallowed my soul whole.

The curse mate bond won't stop hitting my chest.

If the moon goddess has favourites, my name surely wasn't in the list.

I didn’t even understand it. I had rejected her. That should’ve been the end. But it wasn’t. Because no matter how hard I tried, no matter how many times I told myself it was done... I still felt her.

I told myself that I didn't care and she could be with anyone but I lied.

Like she was inside my veins, dragging my breath out of my chest with each passing day.

Her name still echoed in my dreams. Her face when I rejected her and the confusion when she was told the mate bond was cursed. The way her voice broke.

“She is no longer your concern, Alpha,” Elder Cassian cut in with his eyes narrowing. “Your behavior is becoming more unstable each day. You cannot afford—”

“Don’t,” I growled before I could stop myself, and the table went silent.

The only thing worse than my anger was the confusion.

Why her? Why now?

Why did it still feel like a cord was tying me to her? Even after I did what I thought was best.

The council kept speaking. Something about border security... alliances... numbers. But their words sounded like static.

I couldn’t breathe.

Maybe I needed a good fuck. Something to clear my head and yet again… My mind drifted off to the lady I had sex with on the party night.

I had sent Rowan to check for her. I don't recognize her face, nor voice.

I thought maybe she's a stranger but Rowan said there was no stranger in the pack.

All my attempts to sleep with other ladies were futile. They didn't make sense to me the way she did.

The room suddenly felt too tight. Too full and almost too quiet.

I pushed the chair back and stood up without a word.

“Alpha Rhett!” Elder Cassian snapped. “Where do you think you're going? We haven’t—”

But I didn’t care.

“We haven't what? Finish the other things without me. That's why you're the council members.” I muttered under low breath.

My wolf stirred violently, pacing in my chest. There was a pull, something raw and invisible, dragging me away from the table like it owned me.

I stormed out of the council chamber, ignoring the rising voices behind me.

Outside, the wind blew through the training grounds, carrying something that made my heart slam hard against my ribs.

A scent. It felt so familiar and exactly what I needed.

Lavender, strawberry and mint filled the air.

My steps froze.

No.

It couldn’t be.

But there it was again, stronger now. Like cinnamon and warmth and lightning. My heart nearly exploded in my chest.

Avelyn.

It was her. Her scent. I could swear on the moon, it was hers.

I didn’t think, I just moved.

Down the stairs, past the hallway, ignoring the curious stares from my guards and omegas.

I walked like a man possessed. I couldn’t explain it. I didn’t know what I was doing or why.

All I knew was that the pull was real. Wild, hungry and intoxicating.

And it led me straight to my Beta’s house.

Rowan.

My second-in-command. My best friend. My brother in every way that counted.

Why... Why was her scent coming from his house?

My hands balled into fists.

This didn’t make sense. None of it did.

I should’ve walked away. I should’ve turned around and buried the urge to check. To see. But I couldn’t.

The scent was wrapped inside my head now, thick in the air, clawing at every inch of me. She was in there. I knew it. My wolf knew it.

And still, something inside me screamed not to open that door.

I opened it anyway.

The door creaked open and what I saw ripped the floor from under me.

Rowan and Avelyn.

She's in his arms.