But just as his lips were about to meet mine, he gripped my chin and smiled—a cruel, mocking twist of his mouth. His canines glinted in the low light.
"Lyra, you really are this pathetic, aren't you?"
"Too bad I have standards. I don't touch tainted things."
The next day, he brought Seren to a pack charity gathering. My intimate images—the ones I'd sent only to him through warded channels—had been printed out and placed on display for the highest bidder.
When I was dragged into the grand hall, the first thing I saw was my own image splashed across the massive tapestry screen.
Alaric watched the color drain from my face, his smile wide and vicious. His wolf gleamed behind his eyes, satisfied.
"Like it, mate? Happy first anniversary of our bond."
Laughter rippled through the gathered wolves. Dozens of leering gazes crawled over my skin, their heightened senses drinking in my humiliation, my fear-scent filling the air.
Seren draped herself against Alaric's chest, her delicate Omega frame pressed into his arms as she giggled at me. Her scent twined deliberately with his, marking territory that should have been mine.
"With my sister's notorious reputation, Alaric, this gift really does suit her perfectly!"
"Though, ever since you and I got together, you haven't touched her once, have you? Someone with her... appetites... no wonder she's throwing herself at you during her heats."
"I'm not a petty Omega. She's still technically your bonded mate, after all. Maybe you should satisfy her sometime?" She pouted, tracing a finger down his chest. "You wear me out every night—I can barely keep up with how insatiable your wolf is..."
At her words, Alaric's gaze landed on me. The desire I'd once prayed to see had curdled into pure disgust. His nostrils flared as if my very scent offended him.
"Touch her? I'd rather not taint my wolf with her corruption."
He turned and nuzzled Seren's neck, scent-marking her right before my eyes.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. I only want someone pure like you. Once the auction silver comes through, I'll commission you that moon-forged pendant you wanted, hmm?"
Watching them wrapped around each other, their scents mingling into something that burned my sensitive nose, I closed my eyes. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and despair—black and absolute—finally pulled me under.
My voice came out slow. Steady. Final.
"Alaric. Let's dissolve the bond."