The pain in my chest twisted so sharply I could barely breathe. Seven years—seven years of loyalty, of giving him everything—and all of it had been a cruel joke.
Leopold… I never really knew you at all.
If you no longer loved me, why not just say it? Why cloak your betrayal in lies?
Were you so afraid my wolf would cling to yours that you’d rather exile me under the guise of a vacation?
You didn’t need to make it so complicated. I’ll give you what you want—I’ll vanish from your life completely.
“When’s the flight?” I asked quietly.
“Two days from now.”
I smiled faintly. “Alright. I’ll go.”
He visibly relaxed, even reached out to ruffle my hair. I subtly leaned away.
He hesitated, then forced a small smile. “Before you leave, let’s have a meal together.”
I thought for a moment, then nodded.
Tomorrow would be our seventh anniversary. Fitting, I supposed, to end everything on the same date it began.
The next day, I arrived early at the restaurant. Alpha Leopold appeared on time—only with Sophie in tow.
“Rowena,” Sophie chirped sweetly, her wolf aura humming smugly beneath her polite smile, “Leopold and I were nearby on business, so we thought we’d come together. Hope we’re not intruding.”
I shook my head, though disappointment settled deep in my chest. So much for our last meal together.
Alpha Leopold ordered a table of mild dishes.
Sophie laughed. “Leopold, these are way too bland. They can’t be to Rowena’s taste.”
Without hesitation, he replied, “You’re on your cycle—you shouldn’t eat spicy food.”
Then he gestured for the waiter. “Change her iced drink to a hot ginger tea—with honey.”
Sophie pouted. “You fuss too much.”
He tapped her forehead with mock reproach. “If I don’t, you’ll be crying later when your stomach hurts.”
She giggled, baring her teeth in a coy smile. “You’re only like this because you care about me too much.”
The two of them flirted openly across from me, their bond pulsing strong enough for my wolf to sense. I only watched, silent, feeling nothing at all.
Then chaos erupted. Someone shouted that there was a fire, and the restaurant plunged into panic. Chairs toppled as people scrambled for the exits.
I had just stood when a blur of movement passed me.
Alpha Leopold had already thrown himself over Sophie, shielding her with his body, dragging her toward safety without so much as a glance back.
And in that moment, I was eighteen again—watching that same young man charge headfirst into danger, throwing himself in front of me during a rogue wolf attack.