His words, as cold and sharp as the silver collar against my skin, pierced me to the core.

His presence was so oppressive that tears welled in my eyes. I could do nothing but nod in submission.

I was terrified that provoking him further would only earn me more pain.

Just then, a summons pinged in his mind-link.

He recognized the sender and opened the channel immediately. His voice softened, full of a tenderness he never showed me. "Lorelei? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Because he hadn't shielded the link, her sickeningly sweet voice echoed in my mind too.

"Alpha Cassian, I'm not feeling well. All this pack business has worn me out. Could you... come check on me?"

"Stay put. I'll be right there," Cassian said, rushing for the door without even closing the link properly.

He paused at the doorway, turning back to issue a sharp command.

"Brew a pot of nourishing herbal soup and bring it to Lorelei's place tonight. Make sure she eats. I won't have her going hungry."

...

I wanted to sever the mate bond. The thought had been a desperate mantra in my mind for a long time.

Shortly after he left, I did as he ordered and went to Lorelei's apartment building alone.

I steadied my breathing and slipped inside.

The first thing I saw was Cassian carrying Lorelei into the private elevator, her arms wrapped around his neck. The intimate sight was a knife twisting in my gut.

I ducked into a corner, raising a memory crystal. I activated it, aiming it directly at them.

Lorelei playfully twirled Cassian's tie, her every move a seductive provocation.

"Alpha Cassian, I keep taking up all your time. Althea won't mind, will she?"

A flicker of disgust crossed Cassian's face. "Don't mention her name when we're together. You're a buzzkill."

Lorelei just giggled. "You're right. This is our time..."

The elevator doors slid shut, the sound echoing like the gavel of the Council of Elders sealing my fate.

Even though I was determined to leave him, witnessing their intimacy firsthand sent a fresh wave of pain through me.

I swallowed the nausea and despair, making sure the memory crystal captured everything. I would need this as evidence for the bond-severing ceremony.

Then I stumbled away, fleeing the scene.

I didn't even notice when the tears started streaming down my face.

Lost and helpless, I sent a distress signal to the one lifeline I had left, the only person who might save me.

"Rhys, I was so foolish. I should have listened to you."

"Choosing to enter a mate bond with Cassian was the worst decision of my life."

A second later, a familiar figure appeared before me.

I froze, looking up in confusion.

Rhys?

He looked frantic, his eyes wide with concern.

Before I could react, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. He sighed, a sound of profound relief and sorrow.

I sagged against him, the storm in my heart finding a moment of peace in the warmth of his embrace.

Then, he gently took my wrist, his gaze firm. Without a word, he led me back toward Lorelei's apartment.

I knocked softly on her door.

The door opened to reveal Cassian, who looked shocked to see me. Behind him, Lorelei was lounging on the sofa, her clothes in disarray.

The air crackled with tension.

"Althea?"

Cassian had clearly not expected me. Panic flashed in his eyes as he scrambled for an excuse.

"I can explain, Althea..."

He was desperate to salvage the situation.

But before he could utter another word, Rhys stepped out from behind me and landed a vicious punch that sent Cassian flying.

A cold glint flashed in Rhys's eyes. "Watch closely, Cassian Valerius."

Rhys grabbed my wrist. "I'm taking your mate."