Melton
Halfway through the mating ceremony between Alpha Kalev Talbot and me, he suddenly abandoned me at the altar.
This is the third time that he's walked out on our mating ceremony.
Mom is so enraged that she suffers a heart attack and collapses before the altar, never to open her eyes again. I force myself to hold it together and see the guests off before handling Mom's funeral arrangements all alone.
However, later that night, I come across a social media post from Freya Redstone. She was holding hands with Kalev in the photo, with their fingers interlaced.
The caption reads, "He promised me that he would always rush back to me every time I went into heat, no matter where he was."
I feel my heart aching with agonizing pain. Tears fall uncontrollably from my eyes.
It seems that Kalev will always prioritize his childhood best friend, Freya, over me every time, no matter what the occasion. After all, he's already halted our mating ceremony time and time again just for her sake.
The first time, it was because Freya had a fever, and he had to take her to the healing center first.
The second time, it was because Freya was going on a blind date, and he wanted to help vet the suitor.
It's not that I've never confronted him about it before. However, each time, he will say, "Don't overthink it. Freya doesn't have anyone else to rely on, and I'm the only friend she has left. I can't just ignore her.
"But you're my mate and the partner that I chose. You're the one I love the most. You need to be more understanding."
Kalev finally returns in the early hours of the morning, still reeking of Freya's cloying scent.
When he sees Mom's urn on the mantelpiece, he frowns and says, "Ariel Whiteclaw! Are you deliberately putting this grim thing on display just to show your displeasure?
"Freya suddenly went into heat, and if I hadn't gone to soothe her, her life would have been in grave danger!
"Fine, it was my fault for leaving abruptly today. I'll make it up to you with an even grander ceremony afterward."
I reply calmly, "There's no need. Let's just end this here."
Kalev doesn't know that I will be leaving Southstorm Pack for good in just three days. From then on, he'll be able to protect Freya for the rest of his life.
But there will be no place for him in the rest of mine.