Chapter 4

Hearing that I'd finally changed my mind and was willing to come home, my father was overjoyed. He immediately sent pack warriors to escort me back.

Since I'd decided to leave, I cleared out everything in the new house that belonged to me. And that's when I realized, there wasn't much here that was truly mine to begin with.

"Miss Esme." The warrior my father sent to protect me appeared at the door. "The Alpha of Darkmoon Pack has brought the Omega to the Spirit Spring entrance. They have your bracelet and are trying to force their way in."

"Let them try." My voice was soft. "He actually thinks our pack's Spirit Spring is something anyone can just use? He's an Alpha, sure, but he's an outsider. Does he even deserve it?"

The guard lowered his head. "Understood."

Not long after, the front door slammed open. Felix stormed in, furious.

"Esme, what the hell are you playing at now!"

He marched straight at me. "Your people told me you never even applied for Willow's Spirit Spring access. I'm your future mate. Haven't you figured out a way to get her into the spring yet? Willow's leg is killing her. Can you stop with this nonsense right now?"

If Felix was here, Willow was definitely close by.

And there she was. Red-rimmed eyes, pale face, looking like some fragile little flower battered by the wind. She tugged at Felix's sleeve, all sweet and weak.

"Felix, don't blame Esme. It's my fault. If my leg stays broken, so be it. I shouldn't have dreamed of using Frost Pack's Spirit Spring. She probably couldn't do anything about it anyway."

That little speech was like gasoline on a fire.

Felix's heart went out to her even more. He patted her hand gently, then turned and glared at me.

"Esme, as my mate, you really need to have more grace than this. Look at Willow—her leg is this bad. Shouldn't we be helping her recover as quickly as possible? Don't use these tactics to force me to bow to you. I already told you—I love you."

He kept talking, then finally seemed to notice the empty living room. His brow twisted. "What is this now? Why is the living room so bare? The bonding ceremony is next week. You tear the house apart now, are you trying to make me look like a fool in front of everyone?"

I watched him raging at me over Willow. Watched the Omega he kept shielding behind him. The last shred of warmth in my heart turned to ice.

I spoke calmly. "Keep the bracelet as a souvenir. The Spirit Spring? You won't get anywhere near it in this lifetime."

Felix faltered, clearly not expecting me to refuse outright. His hand brushed the bracelet in his pocket, and he let out a cold laugh. "Stop being dramatic, Esme. This bracelet is your mother's. I know it means everything to you. I'll keep it safe. But right now, Willow's leg is the priority. Apologize to her right now, and take us to apply for Spirit Spring access. Or do you not want our bonding ceremony to happen anymore?"

"I won't apologize. And I won't apply for access." I walked past him, heading straight for the door.

"Esme!" Felix grabbed my wrist. His Alpha pressure bore down on me, thick and heavy.

In the past, I would've folded right there. Apologized. Even though his pressure never actually worked on me.

But today, I was done.

I pulled my hand free and looked him straight in the eye. "Felix. Don't waste your energy."

Then I turned and walked out into the blizzard.

Felix didn't seem to take my leaving seriously. Five years of my compliance had taught him I'd always come back. He didn't stop me. Just held Willow close and murmured gently, "Don't worry. Let her throw her tantrum. She has nowhere to go. She'll be back tomorrow. And then I'll take you to the Spirit Spring."

The guard had the car ready. The door opened, I climbed in, and the convoy pulled away silently, heading toward Frost Pack.

The so-called new house and the relationship I'd once treasured—I left them both behind in the snow.