Chapter 7
I blocked Caius.
And every single member of Grayspire Pack.
His Betas took turns calling me–I didn’t answer a single one.
Until someone claiming to be his lawyer texted me, asking to meet and discuss the mate bond dissolution agreement.
I showed up on time. But the one waiting at the table… was Caius.
It had only been a few days, and he looked worn down.
Bloodshot eyes.
Stubble shading his jaw.
Like sleep hadn’t touched him in days.
“So this is what it takes to see you now?” he said quietly. “A legal excuse?”
I leaned back in my seat, calm and distant.
“There’s nothing left for us to talk about–except ending the bond.‘
He inhaled slowly, like he was trying to hold himself together.
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“That night… she was heartbroken. Drunk. She thought I was her mate. And I… I’d been drinking too. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I thought she was you…‘
His voice cracked the longer he went on.
“But I swear, Zira–it was just that one time. Just once. I’ve only ever loved you. It’s always been you.”
I watched him scramble for words.
Felt a laugh rise in my chest. It came out wet–with tears I didn’t realize were falling.
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“Doesn’t matter,” I said, voice cool. “I slept with someone else, too. So I guess we’re even.”
I watched his expression break, little by little.
His
eyes turned red. His jaw trembled.
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“L… I can pretend it never happened,” he whispered.
“I can’t.”
“And it did happen. The severed mate bond between us? That’s proof enough.”
“Zira…” His voice was wrecked. “Do you really have to do this?”
I cut him off. “I gave you chances.”
“The first time, you left me in our bed to go tuck Thalia in. I told you then–if she’s here, I won’t be. But you didn’t listen.”
“The second time, you promised you’d send her away. Instead, you left with her.”
“The third time, you called me cruel. Said I was being unfair. Told me to understand her. Well, sorry, I don’t. I can’t. So that’s it, Caius. Go be happy–with your sweet little sister.”
“I told you there’s nothing between us,” he tried again, desperate. “I’ve never-”
I snapped, Grabbing a glass of ice water from the table and threw it in his face.
“Enough!”
“You keep saying she’s just your sister. But you slept with her, Calus. And you dare use me as your excuse? You thought she was me? That’s your justification?! That’s disgusting!”
“You’ve always chosen her. Always. Over and over, you’ve humiliated me–for her.”
He stood there, soaked and stunned, looking fragile in a way I’d never seen before.
Still trying to say something.
Chapter 7
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But I met his gaze–icy and cold.
“Go ahead. Deny it,” I said, lips curling into a cruel smile. “Can you? Really?”
“I told you–Thalia crossed a line. And you let her. You coddled her, played protector, because she’s ‘fragile.‘ Yet I’m the bitter, cold–hearted one. I’m the villain in your story.”
“Maybe you really did see her as your sister. But she’s never seen you as her brother.”
“She got dumped? Got drunk? That’s her excuse? Please.”
“Caius, stop lying to yourself. The moment you realized you’d slept with her, you should’ve known exactly what she wanted from you. And worse–you should’ve known what you wanted from her.”
I pulled out my phone.
Tapped play.
Thalia’s voice filled the quiet room–smug, gleeful, triumphant.
Caius’s entire body jolted.
His shoulders trembled.
And for the first time in his life…
Grayspire’s Alpha looked like he was about to fall apart.
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