Chapter 3

"Have you lost your mind, Thalia?"

Losing control of his emotions, Damon shifted into wolf and struck me hard. He sent the back of my head slamming against the stairs railing, and a sharp ring buzzed in my ears.

Then, he stood over me and looked down. "Who gave you the guts to lay a hand on Raven, right before my eyes?

"Just being near a filthy Omega like you… Your scent makes my wolf sick!

"I, Damon Hale, reject you as my mate."

I forced myself upright through the pounding pain in the back of my head. "Don't worry. I'm leaving now, and you'll never smell me again."

"At least you know your place." He sneered and scooped up Raven. Then, he walked out without looking back.

As the wound at the back of my head healed, I staggered to my feet and immediately called for an urgent clearing service an hour later. While I waited, memories from when I was 12 flooded my mind.

Damon had snuck away from training to place bets at an illegal wolf fight, yet ended up losing big and started furiously picking fights with a stranger. Grabbing his arm, I tried to calm him down, only to get caught in the crossfire.

When the grown he-wolf's claw tore my arm, Damon went wild. He lunged at the wolf, a head taller than him, and tore him bloody.

Back then, he only had eyes for me. But now, he would maul me for another she-wolf without a second thought.

But none of that mattered anymore. Once the Alpha and Luna returned, I'd formally apply to leave the pack for good.

After changing out of my blood-soaked clothes, I went over to the wall to pick up my cracked phone.

…

The Alpha and Luna were stationed at the northern borders and only returned once a month.

Damon held the true power in the pack now, and he'd once declared in front of everyone, "Thalia isn't part of the Shadowmire pack, and I have nothing to do with her."

From that day on, everyone avoided me like the plague.

If I came home late, the housekeepers would clear out the food in the kitchen and never leave me so much as a bite.

I'd long gotten used to it.

After paying 500 dollars to hire the most expensive scent-removal team in the pack, I watched them scrub every inch of the villa until not a trace of my scent was left behind.

Two hours later, I moved my suitcase into a last-minute-rented apartment complex. Since it was near the Pack Council Hall, it was close enough for me to get to and from work as the Alpha's private healer.

But this was just temporary. Once I received my advanced healer offer in Coghaven, along with my diploma certificate, I would leave the Shadowmire pack forever. After that, Damon and I would never meet again.

Five days after moving out, Damon called. I heard noise and laughter in the background as he said, "I want to see you in five minutes at Royal Sanctum Room 7777."

I was working on my résumé when he interrupted me, so I snapped back somewhat annoyedly, "What do you want?"

He went silent, and the noise in the bar quieted too.

Just as I thought the call had disconnected and was about to hang up, he suddenly asked, "Thalia, where have you gone?"

I kept typing. "You said my scent made you sick, so I moved out. I won't show up in front of you again."

His breathing turned ragged, and his voice was suddenly cold as he snapped, "What the hell are you playing at? You used to stick to me and obey my every word, so if I tell you to leave the pack, will you?

"I'm warning you; stay the fuck away from Raven, or I swear you'll pay for it."

I shut my eyes and stayed silent while he sneered. "What? Cat got your tongue? You've been pulling shady shit nonstop. Apologize to Raven now, and I'll let you come to the next party."

I laughed. "Alright, I get it. I'll just leave."

With that, I hung up without another word.