Chapter 4

On my way to the station, Chloe called me.

I didn't want to answer, but she kept calling. Finally, I picked up.

"Aria, please don't get the wrong idea about me and Caleb," she said timidly. "Maybe I should move out of the Alpha house tonight? I don't want to get in the way of your marking ceremony. I know you've never liked me staying there, but I really don't have anywhere else to go."

I closed my eyes. Here we go again.

It was the same routine every time. First she played the victim, then she left the choice to me. If I showed even a little annoyance, I'd look like the one who couldn't stand her.

I'd always swallowed my irritation and comforted her for Caleb's sake.

But today, I didn't even have the patience to sit through her act.

"Okay. Move out tonight."

The line went dead quiet.

I spelled it out, slowly and clearly. "Move out tonight. If the wards on your apartment are broken, stay at a hotel. If you really have nowhere to go, ask your three big brothers to help you.

"You're a grown wolf. You can't wait around forever for someone else to protect you."

Then Caleb's voice came on the line, angry.

"Aria, did you really have to talk to her like that? Chloe already apologized. What more do you want?"

This was the man I loved. All he ever did was blame me. But I wasn't backing down this time. I gripped the phone, and my voice rose before I could stop it.

"Caleb, listen to me. I'm done cleaning up after all of you! You want to live in the Alpha house? Go ahead. You want grilled meat? Make it yourselves. You want to take care of Chloe? Then do it yourselves. From now on, your problems have nothing to do with me!"

After a moment, Caleb said coldly, "You're ready to throw us all away over something so small? Aria, when did you get so unreasonable?"

That was when it finally hit me. To him, I was a bird he'd trapped in his hand. Whether I was hurting or fighting back, he thought I was only playing games.

If I wanted to leave, I was throwing a tantrum. If I got angry, I was being petty.

I didn't even bother explaining. I hung up and blocked that number too.

Before the train north pulled out, a string of texts arrived.

Ethan asked if I'd caught the fish from the river valley yet. Liam asked me to pick up two bottles of moonfruit wine on my way.

Caleb's text was as condescending as ever. "Be back by seven. We'll wait for you this time. Happy now?"

I looked at the screen. I couldn't even be bothered to feel disappointed anymore.

They always thought that if they gave an inch, I'd give in as I always had and go back to doing everything for them.

But this time, I wasn't looking back.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and turned off my phone. The train pulled out of the station. I was finally free.

Meanwhile, the others arrived at my apartment.

Caleb held a bag of live fish, and Ethan and Liam carried wine. Chloe trailed behind them. They stood at the door, laughing and chatting, waiting for me to let them in and start grilling.

Caleb rang the doorbell.

Once. Twice. Three times.

Still nothing.

Ethan glanced at the door and laughed. "She can't still be mad, can she? She's really holding a grudge this time. We're the ones who got kicked out, and we haven't said a word."

Caleb's smile faded. Unease crept over him, and he tried to reach me through the mind-link.

But the mind-link was dead silent.

He stood there stunned for a few seconds, then tried calling. A recorded message told him my phone was switched off.

Caleb's smile froze. The easy look vanished from Ethan's face too, and their instincts went on high alert.

"You don't think she actually left, do you?"