"Your request to leave the pack has been denied."

Killian threw the papers onto my hospital bed.

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that I said so," he said, his tone absolute. "You have work to finish."

I glanced at the Alpha and his mate. They stood up awkwardly.

"We'll be going," Rose said, patting my hand. "Get some rest."

The room was empty except for me and Killian.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes dangerous. "Freya, don't test my patience."

Two hours later, I was dragged out of the hospital.

Killian’s Rolls-Royce was waiting.

"Get in."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

The car stopped in front of the city's most exclusive boutique.

Valentina Couture. Vivian's favorite.

"Mr. Blackwood!" the store manager greeted him, fawning. "The gowns you requested are all ready."

"Go try them on," he said, pointing at me.

My heart leaped. These were Luna gowns. He wanted me to try them.

Was he giving up the union? Did he want me to be his Luna?

"This way, please." The manager led us to the VIP fitting area.

The lavish room was filled with dozens of priceless gowns.

Every single one was designed for a Luna's coronation.

"Start with this one," Killian said, pointing to a white gown covered in diamonds.

His voice held the Alpha's command.

I walked into the dressing room under his gaze.

The moment I zipped it up, Killian pushed the door open and came inside.

"Killian, you…"

He kissed me.

Hard, possessive, and absolute.

"Mmph…"

I tried to push him away, but his hand was clamped on the back of my head, holding me in place.

"I know I messed up," he whispered against my ear. "I sent a team back for you. The second I could. Just be good... and I'll make this right."

His hands roamed my body. My resolve crumbled.

Maybe… maybe he did love me. Maybe he was just forced by his family.

Even with the bond nearly broken, the pull of a fated mate was too much to resist.

An hour later, it was over. He straightened his clothes, his expression once again cold.

"What do you think of this one?"

I looked down at the wrinkled white dress.

"What?"

"Does it suit Vivian?" he mused, walking a slow circle around me. "The waist is a bit tight. The bust is perfect."

I froze. My blood ran cold.

"You had me try these on... for her?"

"To choose her Mating announcement ceremony gown," he said, like it was obvious. "You and Vivian have the same build. It's efficient."

Blood rushed to my head.

"There are a dozen more. Keep going."

For the next two hours, I was a human mannequin, changing in and out of gowns.

A tulle dress, a lace gown, a velvet robe…

He inspected each one.

"This one shows too much of Vivian's chest."

"This color doesn't suit her skin tone."

Finally, I put on a pure white mermaid-style gown.

It was the store's masterpiece, named "The Alpha's True Love."

When I walked out, Killian's eyes lit up.

He stood and walked toward me, his burning gaze raking over my body.

For a moment, I thought he was looking at me.

"Perfect," he breathed, his knuckles grazing the lace over my collarbone. "It’s as if it was designed for her. Vivian will be radiant."

He looked up, his eyes turning back to that suffocating, cold indifference.

"This is the one," he said, his eyes cold again. "Take it off. And don't get it dirty."

Don't get it dirty.

All the suppressed pain, humiliation, and grief exploded.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and laughed.

"Take it off?"

I grabbed a pair of tailor's scissors from a nearby table.

Killian frowned. "Freya, what are you doing? Put the scissors down."

"You want this gown for Vivian?" I was crying, but my smile grew wider. "Fine. She can have it."

RIIIP!

The sound of tearing lace echoed in the silent room.

Killian's pupils shrank. "You're insane!"

I didn't stop.

I tore at the dress like a madwoman, the scissors slicing through fabric and skin.

Blood seeped out, staining the white gown red.

"Here's your 'Alpha's True Love'!" I screamed, ripping the ruined dress from my body and throwing the scraps in his face.

"Here!" I screamed. "Take your 'True Love' and give it to your precious Vivian!"

"Killian Blackwood, you disgust me! As a wolf, you've trampled on the most basic dignity of a mate!"

I closed my eyes, summoning all the mental strength I had left.

I reached into my mind, found the bond that tied my soul to his... and I tore it to shreds.

"What are you doing? Stop!" Killian seemed to realize my intention. His face went pale, and he lunged to stop me.

Too late.

A wave of agony hit me, but it felt good.

"Goodbye."

I turned and ran out of the shop, leaving him standing there, stunned and speechless, in the middle of the mess.

Then I sent a message to Maya.

[Buy me a ticket for tomorrow morning. I'm not waiting another second.]

————

That night, Killian paced his study, agitated.

Freya had vanished.

He instinctively tried to call her through the Mind-link, to command her to come back and apologize, just like all the other times.

[Killian: Freya, stop this tantrum and get back here.]

But where her presence should have been, there was only a gaping, silent void.

He called again. Freya!

Nothing.

The tether was gone.

Killian's hand tightened around his glass until it shattered, shards digging into his palm.

The woman who had always answered, always obeyed, was silent.

For the first time in five years, he called her name in the darkness of his mind. And there was only silence.

The next morning, I was in a small apartment I’d bought for myself, ticket in hand, ready for the airport.

Just as I was about to leave, my door was kicked open.

Killian stood in the doorway, soaked to the bone.

His eyes glowed with a feral red light. The color of an Alpha losing control.

"You severed the link?" he growled, advancing on me. "Who gave you the right?"

I hid the ticket behind my back and forced myself to meet his gaze.

"I've left the pack, Killian. I don't owe you anything. You're not my Alpha anymore."

"I said no!" he roared, his hands clamping down on my shoulders. "In five years, no one has dared to defy me."

I shoved his hands off.

"Well, now you've seen it."

His eyes scanned the room.

Two coffee cups on the table. A man's jacket on the sofa.

"Who was here?"

"My boyfriend."

The words stopped him cold.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I have a new boyfriend," I said, my voice steady as I picked up the jacket. "He's human. And he's kind," I said, my voice sharp. "He's everything you're not."

"Impossible." Killian's voice was shaking. "You're my Mate, you can't—"

"I can," I cut him off. "Because unlike some people, he actually loves me."

"You're lying!"

"Want to know what he's like?" I taunted, stepping closer. "He doesn't humiliate me. He doesn't parade me in another woman's dress. He doesn't leave me to die."

Killian's breathing grew heavier.

"He doesn't treat me like a tool in his bed."

"Shut up!"

"And most importantly," I stared into his eyes, "he's not bound to me by fate, but he chose me anyway. That's called true love."

SMACK!

His palm struck my face. The sound echoed in the quiet room.

My cheek burned.

"Can I go now?" I said, touching my face.

"Go?" he sneered. "You think you can just walk away?"

"I'm not your subordinate anymore, not someone you can control—"

"You always will be!" He grabbed my throat. "As long as I forbid it, you're not going anywhere!"

I struggled to breathe.

"Let… go…"

"Tell me who he is." His fingers tightened. "I'll kill him!"

"You… you forced me to do this…"

"What?"

I used all my strength to push him away.

"You forced me to find someone else!" I screamed. "You didn't want me, but someone else does!"

Killian completely lost it.

His eyes glowed gold. His fangs descended. He was on the edge of shifting.

"Don't talk about him!"

"Why? Are you scared?" I laughed coldly. "Scared that I might really not belong to you anymore?"

He lunged, pinning me against the wall.

"You belong to me! You will always belong to me!"

"Then why are you mating with Vivian?"

"That's different!"

"How is it different?"

He couldn't answer.

We stared at each other, both breathing hard.

Then, he slammed his lips onto mine. A brutal, possessive, conquering kiss.

I wanted to fight, but my body betrayed me.

Damn this mate bond. The physical pull was a traitor.

Minutes later, he pulled back.

We were both panting.

He sneered, the sound low and dangerous. "Then let me remind you who your Alpha is."

Suddenly, a terrifying power exploded from him.

It was the absolute, primal power of his bloodline. The Alpha Command.

"Kneel."

The command ripped through me. My knees buckled, and I crashed to the floor. It wasn't my choice. My body had betrayed me, forced down by a power that crushed my very soul.

Endless, soul-crushing humiliation.

Tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't move.

Killian looked down on me.

He leaned down, his fingers gripping my chin, forcing my head up. "Listen to me, Freya. As your Alpha, I command you."

"Tonight, you will go to the ceremony. You will wear your most beautiful dress. And you will stand there and watch me claim my Luna."

My body trembled, my soul screamed no, but my mouth opened against my will.

"Yes… Alpha."

Killian let go, satisfied with my broken state.

He stood, straightened his collar, and became the untouchable monarch once more.

"See you tonight, Freya."

He turned and left as if he'd never lost control.

The door closed.

The coercive pressure finally lifted.

I collapsed onto the carpet, gasping for air.

I looked at the pathetic creature in the mirror. Humiliation gave way to a cold, hollow calm.

"This is the last time," I whispered to my reflection. "The very last time you will ever command me."

At the mating announcement ceremony that night, all of high society was there.

I stood in a corner of the ballroom, wearing a simple black dress.

The Alpha’s command was a cage, and my body was its prisoner. I had to smile. I had to stand tall. I had to play my part.

Vivian was the star of the night.

She wore a custom champagne-colored gown, her diamond necklace sparkling under the lights.

Killian stood beside her, a dark king in his tailored suit.

"My friends!" The old Alpha raised his glass. "Tonight, we witness a momentous occasion!"

Thunderous applause.

"My son, Killian, will unite with the lovely Miss Vivian!"

More applause.

Vivian leaned shyly into Killian's embrace.

The moment they kissed, my heart clenched violently.

"You look like you need a distraction," a smooth voice said beside me. "Care for a dance?"

I turned to see a handsome Beta male. Dark brown hair, a gentle smile.

"I'm not a very good dancer."

"That's alright, I'll lead." He offered his hand. "I'm Marcus, from the Seattle pack."

I glanced at the dance floor.

Killian and Vivian were sharing the first dance. They spun together, a perfect picture.

"Alright."

I took Marcus's hand.

We moved slowly onto the dance floor.

Marcus was a gentleman, his movements smooth and light.

"You're very beautiful," he whispered in my ear. "But you look very sad."

"It's a happy occasion."

"For some, yes," he said, twirling me. "But your eyes tell me you have a story here."

I didn't answer.

But for some reason, dancing with a stranger felt… freeing.

No pressure. No pain. No complicated emotions.

Just then, I felt a burning gaze on me.

From across the floor, Killian was staring right at me.

Vivian was still talking to him, but he wasn't listening.

His eyes were murderous.

"Your ex?" Marcus noticed.

"My ex-boss."

"He doesn't look happy."

"He doesn't like his... assets... having a life of their own."

Marcus laughed. "Then he should be thrilled. You're not on the clock tonight."

The music played on. We kept spinning. Killian's gaze followed my every move.

The ballroom doors exploded inward. Chaos erupted.

A dozen men in black rushed in.

Rogues.

"Everyone on the ground!" the lead Rogue shouted.

Screams erupted.

Guests scattered in panic.

"Protect the Alpha!" The guards sprang into action.

In the chaos, a huge decorative pillar started to tilt.

The crystal chandelier above swayed violently.

"Look out!" Marcus shoved me out of the way, getting hit by falling debris himself.

The pillar came crashing down, right where I had been standing.

I closed my eyes, waiting for death.

I blinked, the dust clearing. And then I saw it.

I saw Killian's broad back. He hadn't moved toward me. He had thrown himself in the opposite direction, shielding Vivian with his own body.

And me… a sharp piece of silver-plated debris sliced across my back.

Blood gushed out. Pain seared through my body.

I collapsed to the floor, the fire in my back spreading.

Blood soaked through my black dress.

"Vivian, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Killian was already checking Vivian, his hands frantically moving over her.

"I-I'm fine, just scared," Vivian whimpered against his chest.

"It's okay, I'm here." He stroked her hair. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

I forced myself to walk, one painful step at a time, toward the exit. No one noticed me.

All eyes were on Vivian.

Blood ran down my legs, leaving a red trail on the marble floor.

"Freya!"

Marcus's voice called from behind.

I turned. His forehead was bleeding.

"You're hurt."

"So are you."

"Let me take you to a hospital."

I shook my head. "No, I'll be fine."

"But…"

"Thank you for the dance tonight," I gave him a small smile. "It was the first time I've felt happy in years."

I took one last look back through the shattered doors. Killian was murmuring to Vivian, stroking her hair. Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead—a display of tenderness he had never once shown me.

I turned and disappeared into the night.

Killian’s eyes locked onto the crimson trail I left on the marble. An icy fist squeezed his heart. His wolf screamed at him. Follow her. Follow our Mate.

But he didn't move.

He just stood there as the doors swung shut, erasing me from his sight.