“I’ll bring you those moon tarts you like later,” Tristan actually looked relieved stating those words. Which was hilarious, because moon tarts were Selene’s favorite, not mine.
“Sure, Tristan. Whatever.” I dragged myself out of the banquet and went straight to the pack’s healer, and the whole time the doctor was pulling thorns out of my skin, I kept thinking, ‘This is it!’ Every thorn pulled felt like ripping out another piece of my stupid, wasted love for Tristan. By the time the doctor’s done, so was I.
The next morning, Trsitan called. Yeah, a call. “Why didn’t you answer my texts?” he snapped.
“You blocked me. You forgot?” I shot back.
Awkward silence from his side. Then, “I’m coming back in half an hour. I’ve got moon tarts and a new engagement ring. I know I’ve been... distant. It won’t happen again, Ember.”
I checked the clock. His lies were right on schedule. “There won’t be a next time, Tris—”
He’d already hung up. Great.
I smiled bitterly for I still had three hours and that’s more than enough. I cracked open Tristan’s laptop. Password? Selene’s birthday. Of course. And wow—everything I needed was right there. Messages. Photos. Evidence. Receipts, baby.
I sent it all to the pack. Every dirty secret. Every betrayal. Then I smashed the laptop for good measure, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out. By the time I got to the airport, my phone was blowing up. Calls from Tristan. Texts from pack members. All in all, I didn’t care.
I was done being the one left behind.
New pack. New life. New me.
I swore to myself: No more sacrifices. No more waiting. I choose me.
