Chapter 3

Alison’s POV 

“I reject you for your own good,” I said calmly. “If you don’t mark Britta after you marry her, how can you gain the trust of others?” I tried to manipulate him the way he tried to manipulate me.  

Doubt still lingered in Reid’s heart; I could feel it through the mate bond. I was too calm; he expected me to still be pouting, to protest, to demand his attention.  

“Alison, I can’t accept your rejection. You are my fated mate. I have no intention to mark Britta.” Britta, who was enjoying everything until now, frowned. “I was going to make a fake mark on Britta’s neck. It’s just a fucking contract marriage; I will mark no other woman but my mate!”  

He snarled the last words, making Britta flinch. But then she added fuel to the fire.  

“Reid, do you think my parents are stupid? They will demand to see the mark. After all, each mark is unique, but it carries similarities with the ones of their ancestors. They would know, and when they do, your political career will be over. Hearing this, Reid's hesitation vanished, and he chose to accept my rejection. Everything he had said moments ago now seemed like a ridiculous joke.

“I, Reid Brooks, accept Alison’s rejection.” 

In an instant, the last shred of connection between Reid and me was severed completely. 

An excruciating, piercing pain immediately shot through my chest, 

I blinked, holding back my tears; I simply made the right choice.  

Britta held Reid, who had dropped to one knee, clutching his chest. They always say the rejected one takes the worst part of the pain. Good.  

I dragged my suitcase behind me, ready to leave the house that had never truly been my home. Reid suddenly grabbed my wrist, holding on tightly as if he was afraid I would vanish forever. The bond we had just severed seemed to cling to its last fragments of energy, reigniting through his touch.

My wolf whimpered and howled inside my mind, mourning the loss of our mate bond. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to endure the unbearable pain and refusing to let it break me.

"We’re no longer mates!"

"I still love you," Reid whispered, the pain in his eyes growing deeper. But this time, his words couldn’t reach me.

He had already made his choice. Now, he had to live with the consequences.

Reid tried to speak with me again, but Britta stopped him.  

“Reid, control yourself. There’s still media around the premises. Do you want them to see you with her and ruin everything we've achieved today?” 

“Ethan, take my mate... Alison, to the city safely.”  As soon as he released me, I instinctively put distance between us.

I did not turn to look at him. This chapter of my life was closed and over. I followed Ethan in silence. He placed my suitcase in the trunk as I sat in the passenger’s seat. Once we drove a fair enough distance, he turned to look at me.  

“Ms. Alison, if you know what’s good for you, you will keep what happened today at the Alpha House a secret. If you play your cards right, you could still receive Alpha’s protection and money; otherwise, you might face serious consequences.”  

Ethan’s attitude has always been arrogant towards me; he clearly viewed me as a plaything dependent on Reid. 

I stared at him coldly. They thought I was just a nobody, but they didn’t know who the real Alison was. 

“Don’t worry. Even if Reid begs me to come back someday, I won’t agree.”

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock at my words. He clearly thought I was only saying this out of anger, that the events of the day had overwhelmed me and made me lose my senses.

He dropped me off at an apartment registered under Reid’s name. 

“Here are the keys; everything is equipped with everything you might need. I will come back tomorrow and see if there are any changes you need to implement.”  

I watched him leave, but instead of going inside, I hailed another taxi and headed to the Red Moon Pack’s most luxurious real estate agency. 

The receptionist took one look at me and raised her brows. Faded jeans and cotton blouse not precisely old money look.  

“I’m sorry, Miss, this place is out of your budget. There is a more affordable agency on Willoughby Street.  

I ignored her completely and handed her my real ID and my unlimited black card. She got all flustered and bent over down in apologies.  

“Miss Lockwood, we have a new listing at the most exclusive site in town. The penthouses there have the best view of the city and are listed for only 10 million dollars.” 

“I’ll take one, but I want another employee to close the deal with.” 

“But...” 

‘I’m not interested in your Willoughby Street apartments.” I winked at her as she sank in embarrassment.  

Once I received the keys, I moved in immediately. 

My new life had only just begun. 

As for Reid, he would have to pay the price for betraying me.