He withheld what I once longed for. Now, he used threats and promises to force my compliance.
Despite being his chosen mate, I would always be second to his childhood friend, Solana. The emptiness inside me grew, and I knew what I had to do. Enduring the pain, I responded coldly, "Travis, let's break off our bond."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Travis laughed, a sound that cut deeper than any wound. "You can't be serious, Amari. You're not going anywhere. You've always stayed, no matter what."
Contempt laced his words. His arrogance was staggering. He truly believed I was so desperate for his love that I would endure anything. My heart ached, but his next words sealed my decision.
"Besides," he added a smug smile on his face, "think about your mother's health. Didn't you say, her dying wish was to see you marry me?"
Travis, confident in my past devotion, couldn't believe I would leave him, even now that he dangled my dream of marriage before me.
Before I could retort, Solana chimed in. "Travis, I told you she was lying. If her mother were really dying, she wouldn't act like this. Don't be deceived."
I couldn't bear it any longer. "Shut up! You have no right to speak about my mother!"
The way he tried to manipulate me, even now, was sickening. I stared daggers at them, wishing it could hurt them like it hurt me.
Travis scoffed, crossing his arms. “You're just talking out of anger. I know you won’t leave. You can’t. You’ve never been able to stand on your own.”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "No matter what you say, it won't change my mind. I'm tired Travis. Just let me go."
"Shut it!" he snarled.
Frustrated, I intoned coldly, "I, Amari Walker, Luna of the Wind Winder Pack, reject you, Travis Wright as my mate!"
As soon as my words fell, Travis' expression twisted in pain.
Glaring at me, he hissed, "I, Travis Wright, Alpha of the Wind Winder Pack, reject your rejection, Amari Walker!"
Clutching my chest in pain, I shouted, "Just let me go, Travis!"
"Shut up! You’ll regret this," Travis roared, then he called his Beta through the pack link, ensuring I would hear every word he said.
"Lawrence, cancel Karina's surgery."
Travis thought his threats would break me. He stared at me, expecting a reaction, but I just looked at him, unflinching.
At the other end of the line, I heard Lawrence respond. "Alpha, Mrs. Walker passed away three days ago, on the day of your wedding."