Chapter 5

Nyra’s POV

The words settled into the room like a stone dropped in still water.

For a moment, no one spoke. Cassian didn’t move, he just stood there, staring at me like he didn’t hear me right.

For the first time since he walked in he looked thrown off. The composure he had worn so effortlessly just seconds ago cracked only slightly but I saw it. His eyes searched mine as if trying to find something familiar.

He was probably searching for the old Nyra, the one he killed. The one who would have thrown herself on the floor begging him to choose her but I wasn’t her anymore and he wouldn’t find her.

Beside him, Isolde stiffened and her grip on his arm tightened. The hidden smug smile on her face vanished and was replaced by disbelief. They were all in shock because I wasn’t dancing according to their tune anymore.

My mother was the first to break the silence.

“Nyra,” she called, her voice uncertain as she stepped forward, “What did you just say?”

I didn’t look at her, my gaze remained on Cassian.

“I rejected him,” I replied calmly.

“That’s not something you say just like that,” she said, her tone filled with urgency, “You’re upset, I understand, but you don’t make a decision like this out of anger. Take it back.”

“I’m not angry,” I said and I meant it.

“Just take some time to think about it… both of you,” my mother persisted.

I’ve had seven years to think about it, Mom. Those words were at the tip of my tongue but instead I swallowed them.

“I’ve thought about it,” I replied instead, my voice calm, “I don’t want him.”

My mom shook her head, clearly refusing to accept what I had to say. “Nyra, you don’t mean that. You’ve loved him for years. You fought for this bond—”

“I said, I don’t want him, Mom,” I said sharply, interrupting her.

My mom gasped and the room went quiet again. Isolde was still hiding behind Cassian who was giving me an irritated look.

You don’t have to do this and act all childish. If this is your way of reacting—”

“I don’t want you and suddenly I’m childish?” I asked, cutting him off with a scoff, “You think everything revolves around you, don’t you? I’m simply not interested in you again.”

His eyes narrowed slightly as the muscle in his jaw grew taut. I knew he was upset that I wasn’t groveling and begging him to take me back like he had expected.

“Then it doesn’t change anything,” he said flatly.

He reached for Isolde’s hands and held it.

“I love Isolde,” he said without hesitation, “That’s not going to change.”

Isokde lowered her head slightly, her expression soft, her voice quiet when she spoke.

“Nyra, I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she said, her fingers tightening around him. “I tried to stay away. I really did but I couldn’t ignore my feelings anymore.”

Her voice trembled just enough to sound sincere.

“I never wanted to hurt you.”

I looked at her. In my past life, I would have believed her every word, defended her even, and forgave her but now I saw right through her tricks and lies.

“Save it, Isolde. I’m not interested,” I said to her.

She looked stunned and her protective boyfriend glared at me.

“Do not speak—”

“Enough!” My mother snapped, cutting him short.

Her expression had changed completely, the confusion replaced by anger.

“So this is what you both have decided?” she asked coldly, stepping toward them, “To come into my home and humiliate my daughter like this?”

Her gaze locked onto Cassian, her eyes burning with anger.

“You stood here just now and spoke about cancelling the mating as if it were nothing. Did you ever think about what that would do to her? To our family?”

Then she turned to Isolde, her voice turning sharper.

“And you, have you forgotten how you came into this pack? Who took you in? Who treated you like family? After everything, is this how you repay us?”

In all the time Isolde has been in my house, this was the first time I was seeing my mom raise her voice at her and to be honest it was very satisfying. She has always been gentle toward Isolde and always cautioned me in her steed instead.

Isolde flinched slightly, her eyes reddening.

“Auntie, I —”

“Don’t call me that,” my mother cut in coldly, “You lost that right the moment you chose to betray us.”

Cassian’s expression darkened.

“That’s enough,” he said, his voice firm, “This has nothing to do with her. I made the choice.”

“And that makes it better?” my mother shot back, “You think that justifies anything?”

Before the tension could escalate further, another voice cut in.

“Mary, that’s enough.”

It was my father. He stepped forward, his tone sounding bored.

“There’s no need to make a scene over something like this,” he said, “Feelings can’t be forced. If Cassian has chosen someone else, then that’s his decision.”

“Chosen someone else? He chose to be with Isolde, how is that okay?” my mom snapped, her voice laced with disbelief

“It’s his decision, Mary, beside Isolde deserves to be happy,” my father retorted calmly.

“How could you say that, Tom? Your daughter is standing right here, have you no sympathy?” my mom cried, horrified.

“She already rejected him, so what’s the big deal?” my father snapped.

I was speechless as I stared at my dad defending another person and not me. In my past life I didn’t notice things like this. Now I saw as my father stared at Isolde in an adoring manner while he looked at me with a bored expression.

I now understood who stood up for me and who didn’t. This time I was determined to pay more attention.

My mom let out a short bitter laugh, “I can’t believe this.”

Neither could I but instead I walked up to her and smiled warmly.

“There’s no need to stress yourself over this, Mom, in fact, if you’re going to worry about anything, worry about my next mating ceremony,” I announced smugly.