Ever since Cameron and I had started dating, I’d taken up gardening as a hobby. I loved arranging bouquets from the flowers I’d grown myself, a small act of care I thought he’d appreciate. But today, when I glimpsed at the screen of his phone, I knew exactly who it was for—again. I recognized the little cartoon avatar on his screen. Kennedy’s profile picture.

The silence in the room felt thick as I absorbed the sight, but Cameron was oblivious to the tension. He looked at me expectantly, clearly waiting for my response to his unreasonable request. “Sure,” I said evenly, hiding my feelings. “Send me the picture, and I’ll head out to get what I need.”

I stood up, feeling the weight of my decision settling over me. This would be the last bouquet I’d make for him. I glanced at him one more time, thinking, After this, I'm finally done.

Before I reached the door, his voice, unexpectedly hesitant, stopped me. “Ariane… Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Without turning, I replied, “Anything else?” My tone was flat, and he hesitated, then said, “I’ll send you the money for it.”

I nodded, leaving without another word. As I rode the elevator down, I pulled out my phone, scanning through our message history. 4,596 messages I’d sent him. He’d replied to only 15.

The absurdity of it made me smirk, bitterly. Upstairs, his phone would soon buzz with the notification of a rejected $100 transfer. I imagined his hand clenching as he read it.

Later that night, around 8 p.m., my phone rang. Cameron’s name flashed on the screen.

“Where are you?” He asked, his voice holding a rare hint of concern.

I was sitting in a diner, picking at my food. “What’s up?” I sidestepped his question.

“Nothing much,” he replied softly, almost like he was second-guessing himself. “I just wanted to say… the bouquet was beautiful. As always.”

A silence fell over the line before he added, lower, “Thanks. I know it must’ve taken a lot of effort.”

Before I could respond, Kennedy’s sugary voice sounded in the background.

“Oh, Ariane!” she called, her tone annoyingly sweet. “Cameron told me you made my birthday bouquet. You’re so talented! I wish I could do that, but I’m so clumsy. Cameron’s always calling me his little dummy.”

Her words dripped with fake innocence, and before I could answer, she invited me to the party. But then Cameron’s voice cut in, firmer this time. “Actually, you don’t need to come.” Then he hung up.

Moments later, my phone buzzed again, this time with a message from him. It was a pinned location and a note: If you do stop by, grab a blueberry cheesecake for Kennedy.

I sighed, unable to help a sarcastic smile. The things I do.

When I arrived at the party and pushed open the door to the private room, my gaze immediately landed on Cameron. He was feeding Kennedy a forkful of pasta, and she looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes. As soon as he saw me, irritation flickered over his face.

“Why did you come?” He demanded, his voice low and displeased.

I met his glare steadily, saying nothing. I knew Kennedy had been the one who texted me. But I’d come anyway.

“Oh, Ariane!” Kennedy greeted with a broad smile, her voice overly sweet.

Cameron’s gaze darkened. “Didn’t I tell you not to come?”

I was about to respond, but Kennedy beat me to it, pouting. “Sorry, Cameron. I just wanted some blueberry cheesecake, so I used your phone to get her here.” She batted her lashes innocently, and he reached out to ruffle her hair, murmuring, “You little munchkin.”

As I watched, my heart clenched, and Ciara, my wolf, stirred within me, filled with a mix of hurt and anger. See how easily he dismisses us? she murmured. It hurt, but her words were true.

We deserve better, I replied silently.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled out a transfer letter from my bag, stepping forward to hand it to Cameron. “Hey, Cameron,” I said calmly. “I need you to sign this transfer request. A friend of mine wants to transfer packs because their mate is elsewhere.”

He barely glanced at it, still absorbed in Kennedy’s presence, and signed without hesitation. He didn’t even know it was my own transfer letter, that I was finally leaving him.

Just as I was about to take the letter back, his hand lingered, grabbing mine briefly. His expression flickered. “You… came here just for this?” His voice was unreadable, almost guarded.

I nodded, pulling my hand back quickly, but not before he caught sight of the faint cuts on my palm, small wounds left from handling roses with thorns. He recoiled slightly, his face hardening.

Kennedy noticed, her eyes lighting up with intrigue. “Oh, Ariane,” she said, her gaze fixating on my wrist. “Your tattoo looks exactly like the one Cameron used to have.” She laughed. “He had it removed months ago.”

I followed her gaze, taking in the tattoo of a Ariane flower on my wrist. Years ago, it had meant something to him too. I glanced at Cameron’s wrist, now bare, and felt the last bit of warmth drain from my heart.

“It’s just a tattoo. You can get it too if you want,” I said coolly, feeling a surge of anger I could barely contain.

I turned and walked out, my mind a whirl of pain and determination.

My phone rang, and when I glanced at the screen, it was my father. I picked up, keeping my voice steady.

“Ariane! How are you? How’s Cameron treating you?” he asked warmly.

My throat tightened. “I’m fine, Dad. How are you and Mom?”

He must have sensed my evasion, but he let it go. “Your mother and I miss you, sweetheart. We’ve been looking forward to your visit. When are you coming home?”

I bit back the ache in my chest. “I’ll be home in two days. I promise.”

After hanging up, I heard footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw Cameron approaching. His face was unreadable, his posture tense.

He didn’t say a word, just walked up the stairs. “Let’s crash here tonight,” he muttered.

I didn’t know why he wanted to stay, but I followed, feeling the weight of my decision looming closer.

The next morning, when I woke, Cameron was gone. I glanced at the clock—it was already past noon. Moments later, he returned, and I realized he’d made food.

“Come eat,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

I saw the fish fillet set in front of my seat at the end of the dining table and quietly made my way over, settling in with little ceremony. Cameron took his place at the opposite end.

“Why did you change the password on your phone?” He asked, his gaze fixed on me.

The phone had been a gift from him for my twenty-fifth birthday, with a password set to our combined favorite numbers. But that was before I realized where his true affections lay—on Kennedy, his Beta. I’d changed the code after realizing just how often I was left alone in favor of her company.

I shrugged, still focused on my waffles. “No reason.”

A faint scowl crossed his face as he leaned back, coldly continuing, “The Alpha gathering is tonight. You’ve always wanted to be my date to these events. Would you like to come as my date this time?”

Kennedy had taken my place at these gatherings ever since she became his Beta, while I was often left to tag along with friends. What had changed now?

If I turned him down, he’d grow suspicious—and I wasn’t ready for him to know I was planning to leave.

Without meeting his eyes, I stood and replied, “Sure.”

--

At the gathering, I sat quietly at our table, surrounded by the elegance of the event hall, but my mood matched the silence. Cameron was beside me, for once.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked, glancing at the uninterested expression I wore.

I nodded briefly, still avoiding eye contact. Being his date wasn’t what I’d imagined it would be. I didn’t know many of the other Alphas or Lunas, and Cameron hadn’t given me a moment’s attention until just now.

He seemed to hesitate, as if he had more to say, but stopped abruptly when a familiar voice cut through the room.

“Cameron!” Kennedy’s tone held that unmistakable note of excitement.

We both turned to see her approaching, a wide smile lighting up her face. She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

“You look amazing tonight!” he said, openly admiring her. The gaze he reserved for her alone made my wolf, Ciara, stir with a restless ache I couldn’t ignore.

Kennedy took his hand, threading her fingers through his. “Thank you, Cameron.”

She glanced at me then, her expression shifting to mock surprise as she released his hand. “Oh, Luna Ariane, I’m so sorry! Cameron and I are just… very close.”

Before I could respond, Cameron dismissed her apology. “There’s no need to apologize, Kennedy.”

Alpha Murray appeared then, diverting Cameron’s attention to speak with him, and I turned away, unable to ignore the dull sting in Ciara’s heart as she watched Gavin, Cameron’s wolf, remain steadfast in his affection for us while Cameron’s focus strayed elsewhere.

Suddenly, someone shouted, “Rogues!” and the room descended into chaos. People scattered, and Cameron grabbed Kennedy’s hand, instinctively pulling her toward the back exit.

He didn’t even think to shield me, his own mate. All his concern was for her.

“Everyone, calm down!” Alpha Murray called out. “There are no rogues! A kid saw shadows near the bushes and mistook them for rogues.”

Cameron and Kennedy returned to the hall, visibly relaxed now. I glanced at the time on my phone; I’d need to be up early for my morning flight. Making a quiet exit, I left the hall and took a taxi back to the pack house.

--

The next morning, I was already on the train, moving farther and farther away from him, when I heard Cameron’s voice in my mind, panic seeping through our mate bond. “Ariane! Why am I feeling this pain from the mate bond? Why are you leaving? Where are you going?”

Ciara’s heart ached, but her resolve held firm. The bond was beginning to fray—distance alone was enough to trigger its weakening.

I stayed silent, but his voice continued, pressing in the link, “Answer me, damn it!”

Still, I ignored him. After a long pause, he asked again, almost pleading. “Where are you going?”

I finally replied, “Far away from you.”

Then, bracing myself for the sharp pang of the severing bond, I added, “I, Ariane Hunter, reject you, Alpha Cameron.”