Chapter 4

The moment the words left my mouth, she flicked me lightly on the forehead.

"Are you stupid? The most important thing right now is to cut ties with that baby."

I looked up at her in disbelief.

Tessa explained, "The baby is the emotional tie between you and Caleb. Do you really want to keep that connection alive?"

She added, "Besides, that homewrecker will probably become Luna someday. She'll do whatever it takes to make sure her own child inherits the Alpha title, and that means getting rid of yours.

"Do you really think you can protect this child?"

I had always assumed keeping the baby with me was best for him, but I had overlooked the stigma of being labeled illegitimate for the rest of his life.

Maybe giving up custody was the best choice for both of us.

"Tessa, can I ask you one more favor?"

"Shoot."

"I want to sell the house Caleb transferred to my name. Can you help me find a buyer?"

"No problem. My mate works in real estate. He knows plenty of people."

I thanked her and left.

I went back to the house.

I heard Lila didn't want any trace of me in the house, so Caleb bought them a new house near the center of town.

I wasted no time cleaning out the house.

I didn't bother calling Caleb to pick up his belongings. I threw everything out.

But while clearing out the study, I came across a sealed envelope stamped with the Alpha's seal.

It was classified pack business. I couldn't throw it away.

My first instinct was to reach Caleb through the mind-link, but then I remembered. We weren't bonded anymore.

I called him instead.

A cloying female voice answered.

"Who is this?"

I checked the contact to make sure I had the right number.

"I'm looking for Caleb. He left something at my place. Please let him know to come pick it up."

A derisive laugh came through the phone, followed by a voice dripping with contempt. "I know it's you, Nora. Don't think I can't see through your little tricks. Caleb is mine now. He's not getting back together with you."

That was when I realized the woman on the phone was Lila, the one Caleb had pined for half his life.

Before I could say another word, she hung up.

I didn't know whether the documents in my hands mattered to the pack, but even though my bond with Caleb was dissolved, I was still a member.

Classified pack business wasn't something to take lightly.

With no other choice, I went to the pack council offices myself.

The moment I reached Caleb's office, a glass shattered at my feet. A sharp shard sliced my ankle, and blood trickled down.

"You shameless bitch. You actually came all the way to the council offices, and you still cling like a leech."

The woman standing before me was Lila, the one whose single phone call had been enough to end my bond with Caleb.

"Caleb and I dissolved our bond just two days ago. You know exactly how long you've been sneaking around with him. In other words, you're the homewrecker."

Lila's face twisted with fury. She stormed up to me and slapped me hard across the face.

"Who are you calling a homewrecker!"

The argument in the office drew a crowd.

As more people gathered, I dropped to the floor on purpose, wailing and sobbing.

"Lila, I'm sorry, please stop hitting me... I already dissolved my bond with Caleb. What more do you want? I'll send the baby far away so he won't bother you. Please, just stop hitting me..."

The doorway was packed with onlookers now, their whispers growing louder. The louder they talked, the more satisfied I felt.

Then, suddenly, the whispers stopped.

A pair of expensive men's dress shoes appeared in front of me.

My head snapped up, and I met Caleb's eyes.