Chapter 31 Never Yours Again
Aelira’s POV
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I stumble back, nearly losing my balance, as Alarion’s hand clamps around my wrist. His grip is bruisingly tight, sending a sharp ache all the way up
my arm.
“Let go of me!” I snap, twisting, trying to wrench free.
His appearance startles me–his normally perfect hair is wild, his amber eyes bloodshot and ringed with exhaustion. He looks older, diminished, hollowed out by something corrosive and desperate.
“How could you leave me with Cyrinne last night?” His voice is raw, hoarse. “Do you have any idea what-”
He breaks off, lips pressed to a hard line. Something dark flickers in his
gaze–anger, panic, maybe both.
“I will never sever our mate bond,” he declares, voice suddenly steely.
“Never.”
I stare at him, disbelief and weariness colliding inside me. Is he serious?
“Then file your lawsuit,” I fire back, my patience gone. “I don’t care how you
do it, but we are done, Alarion. Over.”
His face shifts, anger morphing into something more calculating. I
recognize the look–it’s the same mask he always wears when he wants
something.
“Aelira,” he says, his tone dropping into a softer register. “Stop fighting me.
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<Chapter 31 Never Yours Again
I know I’ve been wrong. I’ll end things with Cyrinne, I swear it.”
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His phone buzzes, and I track the subtle widening of his eyes as he glances at the screen–Cyrinne. He declines the call and, in a showy little flourish, blocks her number. There was a time when that would have meant something. Now, it’s empty theater, much too late.
He reaches for my hand again, his skin hot. “Forgive me,” he pleads, voice trembling. “I was a fool.”
I try to pull away, but he only tightens his hold–Alpha strength, effortless and unyielding, a reminder of the power he’s always had over me.
“Let go,” I grit out, barely containing my disgust.
A wave of helplessness crashes over me. This is nothing but pride. If he loved me, he would have chosen me long ago.
“Please.” I hate the way my voice cracks. “Let’s not drag this out. Just go back to ignoring me like you did before.”
His eyes search mine, desperate. “Is that really what you think? That I was indifferent? I know I failed you, Aelira, but I can make it right. I will.”
“Let me go,” I repeat, voice trembling.
“How can you be so cold?” His grip loosens, but only just. “How can your
heart be so cruel?”
A bitter laugh bursts out of me. “Cruel? You want to talk about cruel?” My words spill out, pent–up and sharp. “When I begged you for a proper mating ceremony so my mother could see it before she died, what did you say?”
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He flinches, memory flickering in his eyes.
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“You said it was pointless. That pack tradition didn’t matter. That we were already mated ‘where it counts.“”
“I explained about Cyrinne-” he starts.
“Your obligation because her mate saved your life. Because you couldn’t let
her kill herself.” My voice is cold steel now. “I’ve heard every excuse.”
With a surge of strength–my wolf rising up inside me–I yank my hand
free.
“You already chose,” I say, voice icy. “You just didn’t pick me.”
The pleading vanishes from his face, replaced by a venomous rage. His eyes darken, nearly black.
“It’s Daelor, isn’t it?” he spits, voice jagged. “You’re fucking him.”
I stare at him, stunned.
“How did you even manage it?” he sneers. “What could Daelor Briarhallow
want with you? I bet it started when he came back from his territory
expansion–when he suddenly told me to get checked out at the hospital
and then quit our joint security operation. He was about to get promoted,
and out of nowhere-”
The crack of my palm against his cheek echoes across the empty parking
lot. Alarion’s head snaps sideways, a livid mark blooming on his face.
He touches his cheek, eyes wide with shock, then narrowing with fury. “Did
I strike a nerve, Aelira?”
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<Chapter 31 Never Yours Again
I’m shaking, my wolf bristling inside me, sick with disgust.
“The only thing disgusting me right now is you,” I snap.
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“Daelor stole my Luna,” Alarion snarls. “He’s no better than me.”
For a moment, I see him as he truly is–a man who once ‘filled my every dream, who occupied my whole youth. Twelve years of longing, three years
as his mate, and this is where it ends.
“I’m not severing our mate bond,” he says, stepping back, voice cold. “Tell your lover that. Let’s see if he dares challenge werewolf law and try to take
a mated she–wolf.”
He turns and storms away, leaving me trembling and hollow. Instinctively, my hand covers my belly, shielding the tiny life growing inside.
My legs weaken. I steady myself against a parked car, sorrow and anger swirling. Where had all those years gone? How could love dissolve into
this?
I force myself to breathe, fighting down tears. My wolf is restless, picking up the lingering scent of Alarion’s fury. The pup in my belly makes her even
more anxious, more fiercely protective.
“It’s alright,” I whisper, to myself, to my wolf, to the child inside me. “We’ll
get through this.”
After a moment, I straighten and head into the Verdant Moon building. I
refuse to let Alarion ruin this day. My future–and my baby’s–depends on
me standing strong.
The security guard at the door gives me a worried glance. “Everything
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< Chapter 31 Never Yours Again
alright, miss?”
I muster a smile. “I’m fine, thank you.”
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Inside, I splash cold water on my face in the restroom, scrubbing away the
signs of tears. I study my reflection–the drawn pallor, the tired eyes.
Stress is a poison I can’t afford.
“Pull yourself together,” I whisper.
The morning blurs by in a flurry of herbal preparations and new
introductions. I lose myself in the work, grateful for the distraction, for
anything that keeps my mind off Alarion’s threats.
Just before lunch, Mr. Ferrow appears at my workstation. “How’s your first
day, Ms. Sunmere?”
“Very well,” I answer, voice steady. “Everyone’s been wonderful.”
“Glad to hear it!” He smiles brightly. “And remember–you’re our new liaison
with Alpha Briarhallow. A very important assignment!”
I nod, forcing another smile as he moves on. The mention of Daelor stirs a strange cocktail of gratitude, confusion, and something deeper I can’t quite
name.
At lunch, I find a quiet corner in the staff garden and sit with a sandwich I
can barely manage. Fresh air soothes me, but my appetite is gone. My wolf
whimpers, still raw from the morning’s confrontation and the undercurrent of pregnancy. I send her comfort, willing both of us to calm.
“Just a few bites,” I murmur. “For the pup.”
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I’ve barely swallowed two when my phone rings. Daelor’s name lights the
screen, sending my heart into a wild, uncertain rhythm.
“Hello?” I answer, unsure what comes next.
“Aelira,” his voice rumbles, low and warm. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“It’s just lunch break,” I say. “Is everything alright?”
“Everything’s fine,” he assures me. “I wanted to invite you to a gathering at
Myrthale Lodge tonight.”
My breath catches. Myrthale Lodge–the most exclusive venue in the
territory, reserved for the elite, for important business and social events.
Under any other circumstances, I’d be thrilled.
But nothing about my situation is simple.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say quietly. “I’m still technically mated to
Alarion. After your call this morning…”
The threat in Alarion’s voice lingers in my memory.
“I understand,” Daelor replies, his tone gentle. “But you should know Alarion
and Cyrinne will be there too.”
My grip tightens on the phone. “They will?”
“Yes,” he confirms. “It’s a territory function. Every major pack will be
represented.”
Something hardens inside me. If Alarion can parade Cyrinne in public while
our bond still holds, why should I hide?
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“I’ll be there,” I say, my voice strong.
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Daelor’s pleased chuckle sends a flutter through me I can’t explain. “Excellent. I’ll pick you up after work.”
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