Chapter 6

The next day was the day James and I had agreed to move, and it was also a rare full moon night.

The Moon Goddess's blessing made it the perfect time for a bonding.

James had a few Omegas come help with the move. He and his Beta were at the Moon Temple setting up for the bonding ceremony.

But he didn't know—he'd never have a home with me again.

From now on, he'd never see me again. And he'd never be my mate.

I sat there, staring blankly at the people coming and going with boxes, until my phone rang.

It was my mom, Mia.

"Olivia, we've sent someone to pick you up. You really are coming home today... aren't you?"

Mom had been turned down by me too many times. Even now, she still couldn't quite believe it.

I said firmly, "Mom, don't worry. I've let go of everything here. I'm coming home."

"Coming home where?"

The second I hung up, James's voice came from the doorway.

I turned. His face was dark and terrifying.

"Why aren't you answering me? Say it! Coming home where?"

"Nowhere."

My voice was cold, and James froze. Panic flooded his face.

In all these years, I'd never been this cold to him.

Before Emily came, even when we fought, we made up fast.

Even after Emily showed up, when I got angry at him over her, fought with him, cried—he just thought I was spoiled, still a kid. He figured a few days of cold shoulder and a random gift would fix it.

But now, he could see me getting colder and colder. So even knowing I wasn't all that willing, he was determined to drag me into bonding with him.

He probably figured once he marked me and we formed the mind link, we'd be closer than ever. We'd never be apart again.

Too bad for him. He was wrong.

I watched James pretend to be calm as he called his Beta over to bring up the bonding ceremony dress.

Then he pulled me into his arms, forced a smile, and there was fear in his voice.

"See? I had this dress made for you a long time ago. I've been waiting for today. After tonight, we'll be mates."

When he saw no happiness on my face, he explained:

"Olivia, the only reason I'm good to Emily is because she's had such a hard life and she saved your life. That's all. Nothing else."

"You don't have to tell me that." I forced a smile.

I understood. James still didn't get what I wanted.

"I have to!" James was strangely insistent. "I know you care. I know you're jealous. You can fight me, you can yell at me, but we—we will always be together."

Hearing that, I thought back to all the times I fought with James over him always favoring Emily. He'd always ask me, "Why can't you ever grow up? Why do you always have to fight me?"

Now I wasn't fighting anymore, and he wanted me to fight.

My gaze was distant and detached, like I was looking at a stranger. "Don't worry. From now on, I'll never fight with you again."

My words carried weight. James's face dropped, flooded with unease.

Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang.

He picked up, and I heard Emily sobbing softly on the other end. Whatever she said, panic flashed across James's face.

He got up to leave immediately. Halfway there, he remembered something and turned back to me. "Emily's Wolf is unstable again. As Alpha, I should go soothe her."

Under my direct stare, guilt flickered across James's face.

But whenever it came to Emily, he always chose her first.

Sure enough, he leaned in and pressed a soothing kiss to my forehead. "Wait for me. I'll see you at the Moon Temple."

"Okay. Goodbye."

I finally smiled, and James's steps faltered.

He looked at me, his expression more uneasy than before.

But in the end, he just shook his head, like he was trying to deny something.

He probably thought I loved him too much to ever leave. I'd endured my Wolf never awakening, all for him. There was no way I'd walk away.

Slowly, his face relaxed. He smiled at me. "Goodbye, my Luna."

Then, before I could respond, he rushed out the door.

Only after James was completely gone did I pick up the bonding dress he'd brought over.

The dress had been made to my measurements from when I was a pup. Now, when I put it on, it was so tight I could barely breathe.

Looking at myself in the mirror, my face red from the constriction, a bitter smile tugged at my lips.

These past few days, I'd occasionally felt a flicker of hope for James.

But every time, it died the moment I saw him run to Emily again.

Now, I was finally fully awake.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a video from Emily.

She was wearing a dress identical to my bonding dress. The only difference was, Emily's fit her perfectly.

In the video, Emily spun around happily, then looked at me and said:

"I said I wanted this dress, and James had it made for me. I wanted him to come over, and he came running."

"Olivia, sooner or later I'll become you. You're just a sickly girl with no Wolf. Get lost while you still can!"

A mocking smile tugged at my lips.

Become me?

But all these years, for James, I'd never really been myself.

That ends now.

From now on, I'd only be me.

I tossed my phone aside, cut off all contact with the Blackwood Pack, and wiped James from my world completely.

Then I headed for the pack border and got into the car my parents had sent for me.

The car pulled away and didn't look back.

I sat in the car, watching the Blackwood Pack, where I'd lived for over ten years, slowly disappear from view. A lightness I'd never felt before rose up inside me.

Once, for James, I'd tied myself to the Blackwood Pack. I'd even given up my wolf and a free life.

Thinking about it now, I'd been so stupid.

From now on, every single day would be for me.