My lips twisted into a bitter smile as I returned to the coffee machine and made a second cup on purpose.
I picked up the steaming mug, walked calmly over to Ezra, and threw the scalding liquid directly in his face. “Alpha,” I quipped, “here’s your coffee. This is the last one I’ll ever make you. I’m leaving now.”
Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked away, ignoring his calls behind me.
That evening, as I was packing the last of my personal belongings, my phone suddenly rang.
It was Ezra.
“Zara,” he said as soon as I picked it up. “Why are you blocking my mind-link? Everything Alexa said this afternoon was nonsense. Complete garbage. Don’t take it to heart.”
I held the phone, my voice deliberately flat: “Mmm, I know.”
My unusual calmness appeared to catch Ezra off guard.
“Next month,” he finally explained, his voice softening to the tone he used when he wanted something from me, “on the 18th, it’s the two-year anniversary of our marking.”
He paused, waiting for my response. When none arrived, he added:
“Let’s hold our wedding ceremony then. The real one, with the whole pack attending. I’ll announce you as my Luna officially.”
I tightened my grip on the phone, unconsciously tense my fingers around it. The same empty promises. It’s the eleventh time.
I did not want to drag this out any longer. I needed to inform Ezra about the dissolution of our mate bond.
“Do you have time tomorrow?” I enquired, cutting through his promises. “About the mate bond dissolution application-” Before I could finish my sentence, Alexa’s provocative voice appeared on the phone.
“Ezra, baby, do you like this bikini?” Her voice was deliberately sultry and intended for me to hear. “Come take a look! If you like it, I’ll bring it to the Maldives with us.”
I heard rustling on the other end, hushed whispers that I couldn’t make out. Then Ezra’s voice returned, noticeably low and urgent.
“Zara, what were you saying? I didn’t catch that.” His tone was dismissive and distracted.
I gripped the phone even tighter, my knuckles turning white.
The mate bond dissolution papers were on my lap, with the official seal catching the light.
“I said “I began, but he cut me off.
“Look, I need to go on a business trip tomorrow. Whatever it is, we can discuss it when I get back.”
The queue went dead abruptly. Not even a goodbye.
I smiled bitterly and tossed the phone onto the couch beside me. I’d wanted to discuss the dissolution with him face to face, but he wouldn’t even give me that opportunity.
My inner wolf whined. Soon, we’d be truly free.
In the days that followed, I methodically cancelled my pack registration, packed up my belongings, and relocated to temporary housing in my new pack territory.
The Ashwood Alpha had been surprisingly welcoming, offering me a position immediately after learning about my organisational abilities.
