Chapter 8

“I will not apologize.”

My voice cut through the murmuring crowd.

Zarya froze. “What did you say?”

“I said, I will not apologize.” I pointed to a nearby building. “There’s a security memory crystal on that building. It records everything. Shall we review the footage?”

Soren’s face went white.

“No… no need to trouble yourselves,” he said weakly. “It was probably just an accident…”

But his words were cut off by a pained groan.

“Energy backlash!” he clutched his chest, his face growing even paler. “The laurel tree’s repelling energy is too strong!”

Zarya immediately swept him into her arms. “Hold on. I’m taking you to the healers.”

She rushed across the street toward the healing center without a single glance back at me.

The crowd began to disperse, but the whispers continued.

“That Rhys is so cold-blooded.”

“The poor Omega got hurt, and he won’t even say sorry.”

“No wonder the Alpha prefers the gentle one.”

I stood there, staring at the healing center.

Then I turned and walked away.

The next day was the final day before the ceremony.

In the morning, I shipped all my luggage.

All that was left was a small backpack with my essentials and my plane ticket.

A 3 PM flight.

At ten that night, Zarya finally came home.

“How’s Soren?” I asked.

“Stable,” she said, her voice frigid. “The pack healer said if he hadn’t been brought in immediately, his life could have been in danger.”

“That’s good.”

Zarya walked up to me, the anger still simmering in her eyes.

“At the ceremony tomorrow,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument, “you will publicly apologize to him.”

“What ceremony?”

“Our bonding ceremony.” She frowned. “Did you forget?”

I looked at her and suddenly wanted to laugh.

“Do you really think there’s still going to be a ceremony?”

“Of course there is. I’ve already notified all the elders.” Zarya’s tone grew impatient. “For the honor of the pack, you need to see the bigger picture.”

Her phone suddenly rang.

“Zarya, I’m not feeling well,” Soren’s voice came through the receiver. “Can you come be with me?”

Zarya stood up instantly. “I’ll be right there.”

She grabbed her coat and headed for the door.

“Nine AM tomorrow. Don’t be late,” she commanded without looking back. “The ceremony will start on time.”

The door clicked shut. Silence. Finally. I stood in the center of the apartment that was never truly mine. The words weren't for her. They were for me. A vow. A release.

“I, Rhys, reject you, Zarya.”

She was already gone.

I waited until morning.

I walked to the calendar. Today's date was circled in red. A celebration. A lie. I picked up a black pen and drew a vicious X through it. Then, I wrote two words across the date, pressing so hard the pen tore the paper.

Bond. Severed.

Then I grabbed my carry-on and walked out of the place I had once called home.

On the way to the airport, I sent a text to the Head Elder.

Initiate the severance rite. The bonding ceremony is canceled.

By 9:30 AM, my plane was in the air.

Below me, the city—this pack, my past, her—shrank until it was swallowed by the clouds.

I pictured her at the altar. Dressed in white. Waiting for the mate who was already gone. A queen without her Head Mate. A joke.