she’d never change her mind! She’s far too stubborn. And you still have feelings for her, don’t you? Even though I’m the one carrying your child!”
Alarion silences her with a fierce glare. “Get in the car, Cyrinne.”
He nearly pushes her into the passenger seat before moving to the driver’s
side. I stand frozen, watching as they drive away.
The weight of what has just occurred begins to seep in. Alarion has agreed
to sever our mate bond. After three years of being mated and twelve years
of unreciprocated love, it is finally coming to a close.
A wave of incredulous laughter bursts from me. I can’t help it. I laugh until
tears stream down my cheeks, drawing curious glances from people
passing by.
I am about to be free!
Once I manage to compose myself, I take out my mobile phone and call
Oriana. She picks up on the second ring.
“What’s going on?” she asks, the sound of papers rustling audible in the
background.
“He agreed!” I nearly shout into the phone. “Alarion has decided to break
the mate bond!”
“What? No way!” Oriana sounds just as stunned as I feel. “What made him change his mind?”
“Cyrinne is pregnant,” I quickly explain. “She claims it’s Alarion’s pup.”
“But that can’t be true,” Oriana whispers. “You said he can’t have pups.”
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“I know,” I respond, stepping away from the prying ears of other werewolves nearby. “But either he’s believing her, or he’s using it as a reason to finally let me go.”
“And you’re okay with that? His thinking another wolf’s pup is his?”
I laugh again, the sound feeling lighter than it has in months. “I don’t care what he thinks, as long as he signs those papers tomorrow.”
“That’s true,” Oriana acknowledges. “What about your own pup, though?”
My hand instinctively moves to my abdomen. The irony isn’t lost on me. Wh ile Cyrinne is likely carrying another wolf’s pup and stating it’s Alarion’s, I a m carrying his true heir.
“After we break the mate bond, I’ll end the pregnancy,” I say softly. “It’s for the best.”
“Are you certain?” Oriana asks gently. “I mean, it’s entirely your choice,
but…”
“I am,” I affirm resolutely. “I don’t want to be forever linked to him through a pup.”
I recall the night it occurred. Alarion had approached me intoxicated on wolf–whiskey, more passionate than he’d been in months. Looking back, I wonder if he had been thinking of Cyrinne all along.
“I’ll accompany you,” Oriana vows. “Just let me know when.”
“Thank you,” I reply, overwhelmed with appreciation for my friend. “I should go now. I need to wrap up my work at Verdant Moon.”
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“Call me after tomorrow,” Oriana advises. “I want to hear everything about
the severance meeting.”
The remainder of my workday passes quickly. I am so invigorated by the
thought of freedom that I finish my herbal remedy preparations ahead of
time. My supervisor seems taken aback when I submit all my work early.
With some time to spare, I choose to stop for groceries on my way home.
My pregnant wolf has been feeling constantly hungry lately, and I’ve been
neglecting my pantry.
With arms full of shopping bags, I wait for the elevator in my new
apartment building. I’m so absorbed in my thoughts that I don’t notice
someone coming until they are right beside me.
“Need a hand with those?”
I jump, nearly dropping a bag of moonberries. I turn to find Daelor standing
there, his silver–gray eyes amused at my startled reaction.
“Sorry,” he chuckles, taking several bags from my arms before I can object.
“Didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“It’s okay,” I say, relaxing as the familiar scent of cedar and mountain air
surrounds me. “I was just deep in thought.”
The elevator arrives, and we step inside. Daelor glances at the many bags he’s holding.
“Planning to feed an army?” he jokes.
“I’m running low on everything,” I justify, fully aware that my cravings during pregnancy have significantly impacted my shopping decisions.
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“There’s something different about you today,” Daelor notes, examining my
face closely. “You seem to be glowing.”
I can’t suppress my grin. “Alarion has agreed to break the mate bond!”
Daelor’s eyebrows raise in genuine astonishment. “Really? What made him
change his mind?”
“Cyrinne is expecting,” I clarify, carefully monitoring his reaction. “At least,
that’s what she claims.”
Realization spreads across his face. “And he thinks he’s the father,
regardless of his situation?”
I nod, still astonished at how seamlessly everything has unfolded. “We’re
meeting at the Unified Land Registry tomorrow morning.”
“That’s fantastic news,” Daelor says, a slow smile spreading on his face.
“I’m really happy for you, Aelira.”
The elevator doors slide open on our floor, and we walk toward my
apartment.
“I wouldn’t have made it this far without your assistance,” I say as I unlock
the door. “I owe you so much, Daelor.”
He steps inside, placing the grocery bags on the kitchen counter. “You
don’t owe me anything. Though I still expect you to keep your promise about visiting my grandmother.”
I laugh, recalling our agreement. “Of course. Once the mate bond is broken,
I’ll accompany you to meet Elowen in Nightshade Pack territory.”
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Daelor begins unpacking the groceries, neatly organizing them on the
counter. I move to assist, but he gestures for me to stop.
“I’ll handle dinner tonight,” he insists. “You provide the ingredients; I’ll do the
cooking.”
“You really don’t have to-”
“I want to,” he cuts in, already rolling up his sleeves. “Think of it as a pre- celebration for your upcoming freedom.”
I can’t find a reason to decline, especially after witnessing his amazing culinary skills.
“Alright,” I agree, taking a seat at the breakfast bar to observe him. “What
are you preparing?”
“You’ll see,” he responds with an enigmatic smile.
True to his word, Daelor swiftly whips up an unexpectedly elaborate meal.
The enticing aromas wafting through my kitchen awaken my taste buds,
making my pregnant wolf nearly purr with excitement.
We sit at my small dining table, the spread before us resembling
something from an upscale restaurant rather than my humble apartment.
“This is phenomenal,” I exclaim after my first bite of perfectly seasoned
venison. “You missed your true calling as a chef.”
Daelor laughs as he watches me eagerly sample each dish. “I doubt a chef would fulfill my wolf’s need for territory and pack.”
I hardly hear him, too absorbed in the sweet and sour moonberry sauce
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that perfectly satisfies my pregnancy cravings. I eat voraciously, feeling
suddenly ravenous.
“You’ve got a little…” Daelor gestures to the corner of his mouth, his eyes
sparkling with amusement.
I quickly attempt to wipe my face, embarrassed by my messy eating. “Did I
get it?”
“No, it’s over here,” he points to his right cheek.
I mimic his gesture, wiping my own cheek, but from his expression, I realize I’m still missing the mark.
With a gentle laugh, Daelor leans across the table. “Allow me.
31
His finger lightly grazes my face, wiping away the sauce. Instinctively, I
turn my head slightly, causing my lips to unintentionally brush against his
fingertip.
The contact is fleeting, barely a caress, yet it sends an unexpected shiver racing down my spine. My wolf stirs beneath my skin, reacting with immediate curiosity.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur, my breath catching in my throat.
I glance up, locking eyes with him–silver–gray, deep, and intensely fixated
on me.
