Later,Elara received an anonymous video from a rogue connection.That night,while she was locked in a cage begging for rescue,Ryder had been in the comfort of a sealed room with Lyra,ignoring the primal call of his claimed mate.That was the instant Elara decided this hopeless claim must end.
Elara forced a bitter smile,her lips dry.She turned on her heel and walked out of the Alpha King’s office.She then remotely uploaded the signed Separation Decree to Sierra’s encrypted server and went back to the keep to pack.She sorted through her sparse clothes,her few human books,and the simple jewelry,placing them into small transport boxes.
But in her heart,there was no sadness,no regret.Just a vast,cold emptiness—the space where the promise of a true bond should have been.
When Ryder finally returned to the main residence,he didn’t immediately notice the lack of her scent markers in the common areas.But after a patrol around the chamber,he realized many of her items were missing from the Pack safe room.
He walked up to Elara,who was folding a cloak,and asked casually,“Why are you packing up your belongings?Are you looking to upgrade your wardrobe with some new pelts?”
Without looking up,she replied calmly,“Everything I possess is old.It’s time for a renewal.”
He gave a careless chuckle.“That’s true.You’ve worked hard for the Pack’s success.You should treat yourself.Buy whatever you want from the human markets.”
Elara didn’t respond,sealing a box with fierce intensity.
That night,after a brief,cold shower,Ryder moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.His voice was suggestive,low in her ear.“Do you want to perform the ritual...tonight,Elara?”
Elara shoved him away from her body.
Her tone was cold,flat,betraying no emotion.“My system is unbalanced.I am indisposed.”
He frowned slightly,the powerful scent of his irritation filling the air.“Hasn’t your cycle finished four nights ago?”
Without expression,she replied,“I am still feeling unwell.”
This was the first time in five years that she had rejected her Alpha.Before,even if she felt bruised or unwell,she would always submit to the ritual.But not anymore.
From this moment on,Elara Vance would put her human self first.She would learn to say no to the Alpha King.She would no longer endure the silent pain for a bond that never truly existed.