Lenora bit back a bitter laugh. She hadn’t raised a hand, yet already Hailey was molding herself into the victim.
“Hailey,” her voice sharpened, “keep your act for Evan and Raymond. They’ll believe it. I won’t.”
She began closing the door—but Hailey thrust her hand into the frame. A sharp cry left her lips as her skin bruised instantly.
Evan and Raymond appeared just in time to see Hailey clutching her hand. Their focus locked on her, not Lenora.
“Lenora!” Raymond barked, fury darkening his face. “You didn’t need to go this far. When did you turn so cruel?”
Evan’s disappointment cut just as deep. “It’s her birthday,” he said coldly. “Was that necessary?”
Turning back to Hailey, his voice gentled. “Come on, let’s get that treated. Does it hurt badly?”
The two of them led her away, murmuring reassurances, leaving Lenora behind as though she were nothing.
She shut her door quietly, leaning against it as memories crashed down. Once, those boys had been her anchors, her laughter, her guardians. They had begged her not to leave when she was sent away for healing, promising loyalty for life.
But Hailey’s arrival had changed everything. Lenora had been the one to welcome her, to draw her in. And in return, Hailey had taken the two people who once swore to never leave her side.
The sting of betrayal twisted into resolve. The arranged mateship wasn’t just survival anymore. It was her way out.
Night had already settled when Lenora shut her bedroom door and slid earplugs into her ears, cutting off the laughter and music that pulsed from the celebration below. Her decision was made—she would return and accept the bond with the Alpha chosen for her. Still, she couldn’t just vanish overnight. Responsibilities tied her to Nightveil Pack, and she needed to quietly put everything in order before she could leave without raising suspicion.
Her gaze drifted to the tall window, beyond which the forest stretched endlessly past the pack’s borders. Hours later, once her work was done, she leaned back, removed the earplugs, and let the stillness embrace her.
Then her phone buzzed. A message from Hailey.
“Why don’t you ever like my stories?”
Seconds later, another followed.
“Oops, that wasn’t meant for you. Please don’t be upset?”
Lenora exhaled slowly, recognizing the barb buried in the words. Hailey wanted her attention. Against her better judgment, Lenora opened Hailey’s posted stories.