Chapter 3

"Rhea, you're asking for death!"

Alpha Asher's reaction is violent. His wolf aura explodes. He shoves me with even greater force.

My head slams into the stair railing. Pain explodes, vision swimming.

I hear Asher's furious shout,that distinctive Alpha roar.

"Rhea, you're addicted to bullying people?!"

"Being around a vicious Omega like you makes the whole Pack house reek. You disgust me!"

I hold the wall, stand slowly, try to stop his increasingly vicious words.

"I'll move out. Right now. Don't worry."

"You better mean it."

Alpha Asher's anger lodges in his throat, like he didn't expect me to agree so readily.

He glares at me, then scoops Elena up and walks away, cradling her like some priceless treasure.

I touch the sticky warmth at the back of my head. It's blood,red, fresh blood. Not Wolfsbane juice.

Back when things between Alpha Asher and me weren't this bad, when we learned we were fated Mates, when we knew we'd bond eventually,I always clung to him.

He was rebellious. Snuck into bars to drink. I followed.

Later, he got into a territorial dispute with wolves from a rival Pack.

I tried to break up the fight. Got hurt by accident. Cut my finger.

In that instant, Alpha Asher turned into a vicious beast.

Beat a guy twice his size until he begged for mercy,all because someone made me bleed.

But the man who once panicked over a paper cut on my finger now hurts me for someone else. Calls me worthless. Tells me to die.

Doesn't matter anymore.

When the former Alpha couple returns and my transfer application gets approved, I can finally end this mistake of a Mate Bond.

I glance at the Omega servant nearby, force my lips into something resembling a smile.

"Can you call the Pack doctor for me? I can pay you."

The new young maid moves forward, but an older servant yanks her back.

Their hushed conversation, despite their efforts to whisper, reaches my wolf ears crystal clear.

"Are you insane?!"

"Don't you know Alpha Asher hates this woman?"

"If he sees you helping her, you'll lose your job and get exiled from the Pack!"

The young maid freezes, glances at me once more, then lowers her head and runs.

I shake my head, bitter smile on my lips. I crawl to the corner, pick up my shattered phone.

The former Alpha couple travels year-round, searching for ways to strengthen the Pack.

They're home maybe three or four days a month.

Alpha Asher's the only master here. He's said it more than once.

I'm not true Moonstone blood. My problems are my own.

So no one dares come near me.

Every time I come home, leftovers get dumped and tied up in the trash, even if I haven't eaten yet.

The plates on the table sit empty. Not even a mouthful of hot soup.

But I'm used to it.

I drag myself to the Pack's healing center.

The Pack doctor examines my wound, shakes his head. Says I have a head injury—not severe, but I need to stay for observation for two days. He applies herbal dressing.

After discharge, I return to the Pack house to gather my things. This time, no one stops me.

The servants watch coldly as I struggle alone, like I'm invisible.

That afternoon, I pack everything, load it onto a secondhand pickup truck.

I bought it with years of saved pocket money.

I'm going to the border. It's near Rogue territory, but it's freedom.

Three days after leaving the Pack house, Alpha Asher calls. His voice sounds drunk, background noise chaotic.

"Where are you?"

"Moonlight Bar. Top floor VIP room. Come pick me up."

I'm busy repairing the border cottage roof. The interruption breaks my focus. Irritation flares.

"Alpha Asher, what do you want?"

Silence on the other end. Like he didn't expect me to use his full name.

Even the playful noise around him quiets down.

I say hello again. No answer. I'm about to hang up.

Alpha Asher speaks suddenly, voice tinged with anger.

"Rhea, where are you?"

I set down the hammer, wipe sweat from my forehead, answer casually.

"Didn't you say living under the same roof with me made even the air disgusting? So I moved out."

"Don't worry. I won't come back. I already submitted the application to the Pack transfer administration center."

The man's breathing grows heavier. He laughs coldly.

"Rhea, since when are you so obedient?"

"Wasn't it you who used to cling desperately?"

"Since you're so fucking obedient, I told you to get out of my sight. Can you actually disappear for good?!"

"Rhea, I don't care what game you're playing. If you keep doing inappropriate things to Elena, I won't let you off!"

The wind on the roof is strong. It makes me cold. I stare at the distant forest.

After a moment, I realize how absurd Alpha Asher's words are.

His mocking voice continues.

"What, nothing to say?"

"Playing these little tricks every day,aren't you bored?"

"Apologize to Elena. Then I'll allow you to come back and sleep in the servant's quarters."

I speak slowly, voice so calm even my wolf Lucy seems surprised.

"Fine. I promise, Alpha Asher. I'll leave completely."

I hang up before he can respond. Turn off my phone.