The Condition

~ DAHLIA

“There is really nothing I can do to convince you, is there?” Zayden asked, his eyes boring into mine.

Our argument had gone on far longer than I expected, but I didn't care that we've been here for hours now. All I wanted was for him to say yes.

“Just reject the mate bond and let us get divorced. That is all you can do for me, Zayden,” I said, a tone of finality in my voice.

“You are really serious about this,” he stated again. I crossed my arms across my chest, saying nothing.

After several moments of silence, he nodded and sat at the edge of the bed.

“Very well, then. You badly want to divorce me? You want me to reject the mate bond we share? Fine. I will. But I have a condition.”

I stiffened at his words, trying to figure out what angle he was trying to use on me this time around.

My brows furrowed into a frown, but I nodded for him to go on. “What is the condition?”

Zayden’s lips curled into a small smile, and he tilted his head to the side.

“You're going to have to reject me before my grandfather and the council of elders,” he deadpanned.

My stomach dropped.

“I already rejected you, Zayden. Why the hell would I do it again, and in front of a crowd nonetheless?”

He stood up and stepped forward until he was standing directly before me.

“My Grandfather and the Pack Elders are aware of our status, Dahlia. They knew when we got mated, they were aware of the marking. They gave us their blessing. If you want to reject me, you're going to have to do it before them. Let them be a witness to our rejection. Do it before them, and announce to the entire world that you want nothing more to do with me. If you agree to do this, I will reject the mate bond before them too, and I will divorce you.”

I suddenly had a bad feeling about what he wanted me to do. So I shook my head.

“I don't want to.”

He smirked at me. “Why?”

“Because I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. This is our business, and it is between us. Let's deal with it on our own without turning it into a big deal,” I quipped.

“You see, your logic actually makes sense, but I am not interested in doing it that way. The only people who knew about the mating ceremony, who were aware that we got married, are my Grandfather and the Pack Elders. They are the only ones who know that you are the true Luna of the Pack, even if you don't act like it. I think it's only fair for them to be present for the rejection too.”

The tone of his words made it very clear that there was no room for argument, and if I really thought about it, there was no point in refusing to do what he wanted.

So I smiled up at him. “Yes. Sure. If that's what you want, that's fine. I'll invite them over and do that. Then we will finally be free of each other.”

Zayden gave me a mock bow, smiled at me with a somewhat mysterious look in his eyes, and walked out of the room without saying another word.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I collapsed on my bed.

A small, relieved sigh slipped past my lips. If Zayden wanted me to do the rejection all over again in front of an audience, I was going to give him what he wanted.

And once we finally got separated, I would be free. Free from him and free to live with my kids in peace.

For my children? I would do what he wanted. I would prepare a feast for my adoptive grandfather and the rest of the Pack Elders. I would feed them and make them comfortable.

Then I would renounce Zayden. I would reject the mate bond and divorce him on the spot. Once they all witnessed that, I was pretty sure no one would bother me about him again.

And my kids and I would continue to live our perfect, undisturbed life.

My lips stretched into a wide smile. Relief coursed through my veins, and my blood thrummed with anticipation.

Very soon, my ordeal would be over. Very soon, I would be away from Zayden and with my children once more.

Thinking about the fact that I would be with my children soon enough made me giggle into my pillow, and a sudden thought popped into my head.

Why wait for the divorce to be finalized before I see my kids?

Since Zayden already agreed to divorce me as long as I followed his condition, there was no harm in taking another step forward.

And by that, I meant seeing my kids earlier than planned.

My excitement kicked up a notch, and I was practically vibrating as I jumped off the bed.

Walking to the door, I opened it quietly to make sure that Zayden wasn't anywhere close. When I was sure that he was probably downstairs, I closed the door and walked back to the bed.

Instead of going all the way back to my kids, why not make them come here?

That way, once the separation with Zayden goes through, I would live a quiet life with my children in a quiet part of town.

Besides, a change of scenery would be good for all of us.

Before I could think too much about it, I grabbed my phone and dialed Derek's contact. It was way too late for anyone to be awake by this time, seeing as it was sometime close to dawn.

But I was too excited to care about that. Derek picked up after the fourth ring, and as soon as I heard his voice, I spoke immediately.

“I’m booking a flight for you and the kids. You guys will be moving here…”