Chapter 2

The silence after the door slammed shut was heavier than the suppression spell itself.

Bonnie didn’t say a word; the pity in her eyes had curdled into a somber respect. She performed the ritual with a practiced, somber efficiency.

As the silver light of her magic seared through my veins, dulling the golden thread that connected my soul to Edward’s, I didn’t scream. I didn’t even moan. I simply watched the ceiling, counting the seconds until I was finally, blissfully, numb.

“Don't you regret severing your bond with Edward?” Bonnie asked, “He is after all an Alpha, and he has never refused to mark you.”

“Never marked me as well.” I said. The silence was deafening before she sighed, “Since he is an Alpha, he would not realise the bond between you two is already broken. Not until the next full Moon.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut by then. But, I hope you have figured out what you are going to do after that.” she said. “You are his fated mate. Edward would not like to lose the power he gets by bonding with his fated mate.”

“Don't worry. I have thought through this.” I replied, “Thank you for keeping it a secret for me, Bonnie. It would be impossible to get Edward break our bond if you hadn't helped me secretly.”

She smiled, “Your mother saved my life years ago. I’m indebted to her daughter.”

By the next morning, the "weeks of bedrest" Edward expected of me weren't going to happen. I had a deadline, and it didn't involve waiting for a marking ceremony that was never going to take place.

***

"You look like a ghost, Em," my best friend, Sarah, whispered as she tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

We were sitting at The Howl, a small café on the edge of the pack territory—far enough away to avoid the main barracks, or so I thought.

"I feel like one," I admitted, swirling the cooling tea in my mug. "But ghosts are hard to catch, aren't they? That’s the plan."

Sarah squeezed my hand. "I still can't believe he left you mid-spell because Darcy had a 'crisis.' I heard from the scouts that she just had a nightmare. A nightmare, Emma."

I let out a dry, hollow laugh. "To Edward, Darcy’s bad dreams are more important than my reality. But it’s fine. Let him have his shadows. I’m finding the sun."

"That's my girl. Now, drink up. We’re going to browse that vintage shop you like. No pack talk, no Alpha talk, just—"

Sarah’s voice cut off abruptly. Her gaze shifted to the door, her posture stiffening into a defensive crouch. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

The air in the room suddenly felt thick, charged with the scent of pine and rain—and the cloying, sweet smell of Darcy’s expensive perfume.

Edward walked in, his arm draped protectively around Darcy’s shoulders. He looked triumphant, relaxed, surrounded by a handful of his high-ranking wolves. He didn't notice me at first, too busy laughing at something one of his friends said.

"Oh look," sneered Jax, one of Edward’s closest fingers, pointing a finger toward our table. "The Omega is actually out of bed. I thought the suppression spell usually kept you horizontal for a month, Emma. You finally learn how to toughen up?"

The group stopped. Edward’s laughter died instantly as his eyes met mine. He looked startled—almost offended—to see me upright and dressed.

"Emma?" Edward stepped forward, his brow furrowing. "What are you doing here? You should be resting. Bonnie said your levels were dangerously low."

Darcy pouted, tightening her grip on Edward’s waist. "Maybe she just wanted attention, Eddy. You know how sensitive Omegas can be when they feel... overlooked."

His friends chuckled. "Careful, Darcy," another called out. "If you breathe too hard on her, she might faint again and keep the Alpha from his real duties."

Sarah slammed her hands on the table, her chair screeching back as she stood up. "You arrogant, bottom-feeding—"

"Sarah." I reached out, my voice calm and terrifyingly level. I caught her wrist, pulling her back. "Don't."

"Emma, they’re mocking you! He’s standing right there letting them!" Sarah hissed, her eyes glowing a faint amber.

I stood up slowly. I didn't look at Jax. I didn't look at those mocking wolves. I looked directly at Edward. He looked uncomfortable, his hand twitching as if he wanted to reach for me, but the weight of Darcy’s presence held him in place.

"It’s okay," I said to Sarah, though I kept my eyes on the man who was supposed to be my mate. "They’re right. I’ve spent far too much time being 'sensitive.' It’s amazing how much clarity you get when you realize you’re fighting for a seat at a table that doesn't even have a chair for you."

"Emma, wait," Edward started, taking a step toward me. "About last night—"

I didn't give him the satisfaction of an argument. I didn't scream about the pain or the broken promises. I simply picked up my coat and slung it over my shoulder.

"Enjoy your coffee, Edward," I said, offering a small, polite smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"And Darcy? I hope the nightmares stay away. It would be a shame to interrupt the Alpha’s busy schedule again."

I turned on my heel and walked out the door, my head held high. I didn't look back to see the stunned silence that had fallen over them, or the way Edward’s face had gone pale as he realized, perhaps for the first time, that the bond he kept suppressing was no longer holding me back.

It was letting me go.