That night,after a brief,cold shower,Ryder moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.His voice was suggestive,low in her ear.“Do you want to perform the ritual...tonight,Elara?”
Elara shoved him away from her body.
Her tone was cold,flat,betraying no emotion.“My system is unbalanced.I am indisposed.”
He frowned slightly,the powerful scent of his irritation filling the air.“Hasn’t your cycle finished four nights ago?”
Without expression,she replied,“I am still feeling unwell.”
This was the first time in five years that she had rejected her Alpha.Before,even if she felt bruised or unwell,she would always submit to the ritual.But not anymore.
From this moment on,Elara Vance would put her human self first.She would learn to say no to the Alpha King.She would no longer endure the silent pain for a bond that never truly existed.
This claim was over.She kept reminding herself that the mandatory severance cooling-off period was three lunar cycles.After one more lunar cycle,she would be free,an unclaimed rogue on the human side of the border!
Elara Vance couldn't find rest the entire night.The silent,empty side of the Alpha King's bed had become a frozen wasteland.