MasukANDRE POVI sat on the edge of my bed, still dressed in my tuxedo from the gala. The night was beginning to break into dawn, but sleep was not forthcoming. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Lillian’s shattered face. Then Willow’s puffy eyes. Then Drake’s calm eyes and forgiving smile.The weight of it all pressed down on my chest like a stone.I heard a knock on my door and I looked up. But before the door even opened, my wolf stirred. Excited. Alert. Happy.Her.I stood up quickly as Willow walked in. She was still in her wrinkled silver dress, with her face was pale and blotchy from all the crying. She looked totally exhausted, disheveled and absolutely beautiful.“Willow,” I hurried to her and held her hands. “Why are you not asleep? It is almost dawn.”She shook her head as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “I could not sleep. I went to the mansion. To see Lillian.”My heart dropped. “You went alone? At this hour?”“I had to.” Then she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
The hotel room was smaller than the last one. It was cheaper. The wallpaper was peeling near the ceiling and the lamp on the bedside table flickered every few seconds. But it was private, and it was far from any prying eyes.Sharon sat on the edge of the lumpy bed, and drummed her fingers against her thighs impatiently. She had been waiting for over an hour.The door opened suddenly without a knock and Baron entered first, with his expensive coat which looked so absurd and out of place in the shabby room. He did not bother to give her any acknowledgement, aside a brief glance.Behind him, Dr. Wanni slipped in quietly and closed the door behind her. She looked immaculate as always in a simple grey dress and looked around the shabby room with a calm expression on her face.Sharon stood up immediately. “Well? Did it work? Is it done?”Baron removed his coat and hung it over the back of the only chair. He did not sit. “The bond is broken. Lillian and Andre are no longer mated.”Sharon smi
LUCAS POVI sat quietly in my car, which I had parked outside the mansion. The engine was off, and the lights were dimmed. I just sat there, gripping the steering wheel, and staring at the front door.I could not go in. Not yet.A few minutes passed. Then the front door opened and Salome came running down the porch steps with jusr heels clicking on the stone and her dress swishing with the wind. She reached my window and I rolled it down.“You have been sitting here for twenty minutes,” she said in ragged breath. “Are you coming inside or not?” I shook my head. “Not yet. I can not….I can not face Lillian now. Not after everything.”Salome eyes filled with tears as I opened the front door and immediately, she fell into my arms and sobbed on my chest.“She is trying so hard to be strong,” Salome choked. “Willow came to the mansion tonight. Lillian forgave her. She gave them her blessing. She was so calm, so kind. But I know that she is breaking inside.”I held her tightly and stroked h
LILLIAN POVThe car pulled up to the mansion slowly. The drive back from my mother’s chambers had been quiet, with the three of us wrapped in our own heavy thoughts. Salome was driving, Lydia sat beside me in the back, with her hand firmly on mine.The mansion loomed ahead, looking dark except for the porch lights. And there, leaning against his car in the driveway, was Josh.The moment the car stopped, Lydia flung open the door and flew into his arms. He caught her and lifted her slightly, and she kissed him like she has not seen him in years.“I missed you,” she breathed against his lips. “I missed you too,” Josh murmured as he held her face lovingly. “How have you been? I have been calling.”“We will talk about me later,” Lydia said softly and pulled back to look at him. “Tonight, it is all about Lillian.”I managed to smile softly as I stepped out of the car. “No, it is not. You two have not seen each other in weeks. Go. Catch up. Salome and I will go inside.”Josh released Lydia
ANDRE POVI stood outside Willow’s door. Beside the guard who I had stationed there earlier.“Give us a minute,” I said. “I will send for you when I am done.”The guard nodded and took a few steps down the hall to give us privacy.I took a took a deep breath in order to steady my racing heart. Then another. Feeling the weight of the night heavily on my shoulders. Finally, I pushed open the door and went inside.Willow was sitting on the edge of the bed, still wearing her silver dress. She was not sleeping. Her eyes were open, staring at nothing.“Willow,” I said softly. She blinked and looked at me. “Andre. You are back.”“I am,” I walked over and sat beside her on the bed. “How are you?”She exhaled shakily. “Numb….just numb. And scared. I am scared to even step outside this room. The guilt….it is like a wall. What will everyone think of me? What will they say?” she looked at me pleadingly. “ I wish no one had to know. It was just a kiss. Why did it have to turn into this…this mess?
DRAKE POVI was sitting alone at the bar in the pack house. The gala was over and the guests were all gone. The silence was heavy. I poured a glass of amber whiskey and drank it in one go, feeling and welcoming the burn. But it did not help.The door opened and Lucas walked in quietly on the stone floor. He came and sat on the stool beside me without a word. I poured him a glass and pushed it toward him. “It is done,” Lucas said flatly. He did not touch the drink. “Lillian and Andre. The bond is broken. The rejection is complete.”I laughed bitterly, the sound echoed in the empty room. Then I downed another glass, but shook my head as the liquid did nothing to warm the cold pit in my stomach. “Of course it is,” Then I looked at him. “How are they? Andre? And….Lillian?”“Ansre is….Andre. Full of guilt, but resolved. He is with Willow now.” Lucas finally picked up his glass and swirled his liquid. “Lillian… she is taking it surprisingly well. She was calm. Strong.”“How hurt is she?” I







