Chapter 5

I stared at the international posting contract on my phone, checking every detail.

Geneva Neutral Zone.

International Pack Council, Geneva Neutral Zone Field Office.

Project Lead for Cross-Border Territory Agreements.

From now on, I was no longer just the Grey Ridge Alpha's mate.

No longer the always-understanding Erin in someone else's household.

My phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

I hesitated for two seconds, then answered.

"Erin, where are you right now?"

Gavin's voice was low and taut.

I could tell he was reining in his emotions.

"Leah said you left with your suitcase. You don't dissolve a mate bond on a whim. Come back so we can talk this through."

"You got the agreement?"

I didn't answer his question.

Silence on the other end for a few seconds.

"Erin, don't threaten me with divorce. You're not impulsive. Come back to the hotel."

"It's not a threat."

My voice was flat.

Even I was surprised by how calm I sounded.

"I meant every word. Sign the papers, or we'll meet in court and before the Elder Council."

A boarding call echoed through the terminal.

I switched off my phone and wheeled my suitcase toward the jet bridge.

Then I heard shouting behind me.

"Erin!"

Gavin was drenched in sweat.

He wasn't wearing a coat, and his shirt was rumpled.

Mia and Leah hurried behind him.

"You're really leaving?"

He grabbed my wrist, his voice low and taut.

"Erin, you don't dissolve a mate bond in the middle of a tantrum. Come back with me. We'll talk this out."

I looked down at his hand gripping my wrist.

"Let go."

"Erin, don't take this too far."

I raised my head and looked him dead in the eye.

"Gavin, don't you owe me an explanation for that bowl of bone broth three months ago?"

His fingers went rigid.

"...Who told you?"

"Does it matter?"

He released my wrist and stepped back.

"It was an accident. She didn't do it on purpose. She didn't know what the broth was for..."

"She didn't know?"

I cut him off.

"She lived in Grey Ridge for six months. She knew I was on bed rest. She knew the healer had made that broth for my pregnancy. And she knew wolfsbane would make a pregnant wolf miscarry."

He fell silent.

Mia spoke from behind him, her voice thick with tears.

"Erin, this is my fault. But I really didn't mean to. That day I just thought the broth was too bland and wanted to add some herbs. I didn't know it was..."

"Mia."

I didn't look at her. My eyes stayed fixed on Gavin.

"You once told me you trained in herbal medicine under the pack healer for three years. Didn't you?"

Her voice cut off.

Gavin's face drained of color.

I pulled up an Instagram post Mia had shared three years earlier and held the phone out to him.

The photo showed her certificate from an herbal-medicine program.

The caption read:

"Three years of study, and I can finally take care of myself."

"See for yourself."

Gavin took the phone, staring at the screen. His hand was shaking.

The boarding announcement sounded again.

Final call.

I took my phone back and turned away.

"Erin!"

"The divorce agreement and the mate-bond dissolution petition are both in your inbox."

I pulled my suitcase forward.

"Sign them and send them to my assistant."

"I won't sign!"

He shouted behind me.

I didn't stop.

The instant I stepped onto the jet bridge, the mate bond crashed into me again and again.

Like a wolf that had finally realized its den was empty.

I didn't look back.

I raised my hand and pressed against the burning spot over my heart.

I stripped his scent out of my wolf, inch by agonizing inch.

Behind me came Leah's crying.

"Mama Erin!"

"Mama Erin, don't go!"

I kept walking.

The boarding bridge door closed behind me.

Every sound vanished behind it.