Tears flooded from my eyes as I wailed in Clara’s arms. How could my life be this miserable?
I left the clinic before dusk. My body was a dull, throbbing ache beyond physical pain. My soul hurt in ways I couldn’t even put into words.
As I headed to the pack house with the weight of my life pressing down on me, I overheard voices from the garden.
“He’s finally going to crown me Luna!” Vera announced to her friends, who gasped in shock.
I froze.
Darius was going to make her his Luna?
Anger boiled up inside me, mixing with the heartbreak like I might explode. I was furious at him. Furious at Vera. But most of all, at myself. How had I been so stupid? So naive? I’d wasted years clinging to this illusion of a mate bond, believing in something that no longer existed between us.
The truth hit me hard. I turned and ran to my room, my heart pounding, and my vision blurred with tears. Every step felt like I was breaking a little more. I couldn’t keep pretending anymore.
When I got to my room, I grabbed my phone with a shaking hand and called the only person who would still care about me.
“Dad,” I sobbed as soon as he picked up, my voice trembling. “I’ve had enough. I’m coming home.”