Chapter 5: The Day I Chose Myself

Lexy’s POV

With my vision blurred from tears and my legs trembling, I stumbled into my home. After climbing the stairs, I collapsed into the warmth of my bed, sobbing loudly.

I was mourning my shattered dreams. My heart pounded faster and faster, my chest aching. I wanted to cry my eyes out, to scream until the pain left my body.

But no sound came out.

I had just poured myself a glass of water when my door flew open and my furious father and Elizabeth stormed in.

“How could you?” Elizabeth shouted, her eyes blazing. “How can you be so selfish?”

I was speechless. Shouldn’t she be saying this to Leo?

“I did not raise an irresponsible bitch!” Elizabeth fumed, pacing around my room. “Instead of accepting his kind offer, you coldly reject him! The closeness of a fated mate strengthens the Alpha—and a stronger Alpha means a stronger pack!”

“Elizabeth, it was his choice. He didn’t see me as his Luna,” I said, trying to defend myself.

Her face turned red with rage. “What? Nobody wants a wolfless, weak she-wolf as Luna. You are nothing but a burden. You should be grateful that he offered you his love and support! What will you do now without him? Clean the packhouse for the rest of your life and paint your tasteless crap?”

I blinked rapidly, stunned. Elizabeth had never been kind, but this outburst cut deeper than I ever imagined. Each word stung like a slap. But the worst part? My dad didn’t defend me. He just stood there, nodding in agreement with her.

Not only my mate—but now my dad had betrayed me too.

My heart felt like it would explode from my chest, but my tears ran dry, and my voice came out eerily calm, not matching the chaos inside me.

“You don’t have to worry about my future. Tomorrow I will leave—and I’ll never come back.”

My dad chuckled coldly. “Stop your tantrums. You have nowhere to go. Sleep on it, and tomorrow accept Leo’s offer. It’s the best for everyone.”

Elizabeth threw me one last hateful look and they left.

Best for everyone? Not for me.

I lay face down on my bed, unable to move. The pain was unbearable, and I had no one to even talk to.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle hand stroking my back.

To my biggest surprise—it was Samantha.

She gave me a genuine smile. “I know I haven’t been the best sister in the world… but you can count on me.”

I sat up, and she pulled me into a warm hug. A tear rolled down my cheek—not from pain this time, but because I was moved by her gesture. I had always believed she was ashamed of being my sister, that she despised me.

Samantha broke the hug and handed me an envelope. “Here. $3,000.”

I was shocked—it was probably all her competition winnings. I shook my head. “I can’t take all your savings.”

“You need it more than I do. Where will you go?” she asked firmly.

I wiped my tears. “A human city. My art school is there, and I’ll settle down after. Without my wolf, I’m basically human anyway. I think I’ll fit in there.”

Samantha hugged me again and tried to comfort me, telling funny stories from our childhood.

Today, I had lost my mate and my father. But I had gained a friend in my sister.

The next morning, I packed a few bags with clothes and necessities, loading them into the trunk of my old SUV. Samantha promised to ship my paintings once I had an address.

I took one last glance at the house where I had spent 18 years of my life. I felt broken, terrified… but deep inside, I knew I was doing the right thing.

Once I crossed the pack border, I declared loudly,

“I sever all ties with Riverland Pack and announce myself a rogue.”

There was no snap of the pack bond. I felt nothing at all. Just numb.

A few hours later, I was checking into a cheap motel when the receptionist asked for my name.

All my life, I had been called Lexy. I used to love how Leo would say it sweetly, his voice full of love. Now, even that nickname was poisoned—a reminder of a mate who betrayed me, a father who never wanted me, a pack that treated me like an outcast.

“Alexandra,” I said to the receptionist.

“And last name?”

I paused, then let my mother’s maiden name spill from my lips.

“Rossi. Alexandra Rossi.”

The naive, weak outcast girl Lexy Smith was gone.

Now, I am Alexandra Rossi.

And I am ready to start my new life.

I don’t need a mate, a pack, or anyone’s approval to know my worth. I’ll shape my own destiny, and that will be my greatest victory.