Hayden POV:

I returned to the small apartment my grandmother had left me. It was filled with our memories, but now it felt vast and empty, chilling me to the bone.

I opened the closet and pulled out the black dress I wore for formal Pack ceremonies. My grandmother had given it to me for my coming-of-age.

Now, I would wear it to my own funeral.

According to Pack law, The Rejection ceremony required both mates to participate. One initiated, the other accepted. Since Kole had already made his choice, I wouldn't make him wait.

I sent a message to Kole's Beta, his right-hand man. "Please inform Alpha Carlisle that I am ready. We can hold the Rejection ceremony at any time."

I looked at myself in the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes bloodshot. I forced a smile, but it looked more painful than a grimace.

The Rejection would cause a soul-tearing agony, especially for the one being rejected. As a wolfless, my body was already weak. I didn't know if I could survive it.

But I had to. This was the final, most absolute way to sever my connection to Kole.

I could almost picture Kole in his study, his brow furrowed as his Beta relayed my message. He was so arrogant, he wouldn't understand my quick agreement.

He'd probably scoff, telling his loyal Beta, "So decisive? She's probably already found a new protector and can't wait to be rid of me."

His pride and suspicion would only allow him to see my resolve as a sign of my infidelity.

How pathetic. And it was exactly what I wanted him to think.

"Tomorrow night, at the full moon, on the Pack's sacred Moonstone Altar."

I received the notification with the time and place. Tomorrow night. The full moon. The Goddess who had witnessed our bond would now witness its destruction.

Soon, the rumors started. Carina was spreading it everywhere, telling anyone who would listen that I was going mad with jealousy, that I had demanded the rejection so I could be free to join another Pack.

She painted herself as the innocent victim, forced to accept Kole's "protection" because of my "unreasonable" behavior.

I shut down my computer, unable to look at the sickening lies anymore.

I walked to the window, looking at the moon that was not yet full. Grandma, would you be angry with me? For not protecting this gift from the Goddess?

No. You wouldn't. You would just want me to live.

I started packing. I couldn't stay in this apartment. Once the Rejection was complete, I would be cast out of the Carlisle Pack's territory, becoming a Rogue.

I carefully packed my grandmother's few belongings—some old clothes and a single photo frame.

I took one last look at my home, then dragged the suitcase out the door without a second glance.

I didn't go to any friends. I used a fake ID to check into the cheapest motel in the city.

The Pack news feed popped up again. A photo showed Kole, after arranging the ceremony, personally driving Carina to the most exclusive restaurant downtown, one with a view overlooking the entire city.

They were celebrating my departure.

I lay on the cold, hard bed of the motel, closing my eyes. In the darkness, I could feel the bond deep in my soul being stretched taut, the final, frantic tension before it snapped.

Tomorrow, it would all be over.

I touched my neck, the spot where I once fantasized Kole would leave his Mark.

Now, it would only bear the scar of a Rejection.

I curled into a ball, letting the bone-deep chill consume me.