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.

Two days later, the wound on my back had just started to heal.

Maya was throwing me a farewell party at the Nightfall Club.

"You've changed your flight three times. Tomorrow, you are getting on that plane to France." She raised her glass. "To freedom!"

"To freedom."

We clinked glasses and I downed the drink. The alcohol made my head spin.

"I'm going to the restroom."

On my way, I passed the VIP booths.

A familiar laugh came from Booth 101.

I stopped.

It was Killian's voice.

"Alpha Killian, you finally got away," a man laughed. "Is that Freya girl finally gone?"

"She should have known her place and left sooner," another voice chimed in. It was Vivian’s brother. "A half-breed wolf like her doesn't deserve to be Killian's Luna. Only my sister is worthy."

Then, I heard Killian's voice.

"A wolf of her breeding?" I heard Killian's cold, sharp voice. "She's good for one thing: warming a bed. To mate her would be to poison the pack's bloodline."

The booth erupted in laughter.

"Hahaha! Alpha, you're brutal!"

"Still, five years is a hell of a run for a plaything, right?"

I leaned against the wall, blood rushing to my head.

Five years.

For five years, that’s all I was. A tool. A body to use for his pleasure. A toy to be humiliated.

So all his attempts to stop me from leaving… were they just so he could sleep with me one more time?

I turned and walked away. I couldn't listen to another word.

Outside the club, the night air hit my face.

I took a deep breath.

It was almost over.

Tomorrow, I'd be on a plane to France.

"Hey, miss. Wait up."

A group of ragged, filthy men stepped out of the shadows.

Rogues. The lowest of the low.

"Well, well, if it isn't Alpha Killian's little leftover," the leader said, showing a row of yellow teeth. He twirled a dagger in his hand. "Heard you're an unmarked prize."

I instantly tensed, taking a step back. "Who sent you?"

"So, you wanted to be a Luna?" he sneered, closing in. "We'll make you a rogue's whore. Let's see if your precious Alpha still wants you after a dozen of us have left our scent all over you."

Vivian. This was her doing.

Fear coiled around me like a snake, but I was out of options.

When his grimy hand reached for my collar, I was no longer the meek secretary.

I am a wolf. Even with a tainted bloodline, I will not be prey.

"Get off!"

I pulled the silver knife I always carried from my purse and plunged it into his shoulder.

"Aaargh!" His scream tore through the night.

I used a moment of chaos to break free, running for the light at the end of the alley.

Just as I burst out of the alley, a figure blocked my path.

Vivian.

She saw me, covered in blood, holding a bloody silver knife. A flicker of panic crossed her face before it vanished.

The next second, she let out a bloodcurdling scream, then crumpled to the ground.

"Freya, no! Please! I didn't mean to make you angry!"

She crumpled to the ground, clutching her perfectly fine stomach, tears instantly welling in her eyes.

Killian was there in a flash, summoned by her cry.

He caught Vivian, then his head snapped up to look at me.

He saw the bloody knife in my hand, my torn clothes, my wild eyes. In a single, damning heartbeat, he chose his side.

"Freya!"

His roar was like thunder.

I tried desperately to explain. "Killian, it's not what you think! She sent them—"

"Shut up!"

He wouldn't listen. He didn't want to listen.

He only trusted what he saw: his fragile fiancée, trembling on the ground, and me, looking like a crazed killer with a weapon.

"Jealousy has made you a monster!" he roared, his voice thick with rage. "You dare attack your future Luna? You tried to KILL her?!"