Chapter 2

After his departure, I quickly messaged a pack member about initiating the process to sever my bond with Hunter. I retired early, hoping for a more tolerable tomorrow. In the middle of the night, my phone vibrated. At 1 a.m., as anticipated, the other side of the bed remained vacant.

I glanced at my phone to find several messages from Katherine.

"Hunter is so irresistible! I want to consume him while he sleeps!"

She included a picture of Hunter slumbering. His head rested on her colorful, cartoon-adorned pillow, his hair disheveled, lips slightly open in a way that once made my heart flutter. I noticed the "typing..." indicator flicker, then Katherine swiftly erased her messages. She sent a single apologetic sticker.

"Sorry! Those were meant for someone else, but I accidentally sent them to you. I was just joking around—please don't be angry! Hunter's already fast asleep."

Perhaps she anticipated a barrage of angry calls from me, as I'd done before. This time, however, I simply blocked her and closed my eyes, too exhausted by the drama to care anymore.

Come morning, I braced myself for the mocking looks from the pack. Recently, every breakfast felt like another round of snickering and hushed gossip behind my back, mainly from Katherine and her circle. When Hunter and I were bonded, the pack believed our connection would strengthen us both. Instead, I found myself diminishing in his shadow, barely hanging on while he flaunted his status with Katherine at his side.

I entered the dining area, eyes downcast, hoping to slip into my usual spot at the back. But almost immediately, I heard the murmurs.

"Look, there's Luna Ava," someone sneered. "She doesn't look very Luna-like, does she?"

Another person chuckled, "Poor thing, she tries so hard."

I pretended not to notice, keeping my gaze lowered as I took my seat.

Moments later, Katherine entered with Hunter beside her. She stumbled—clearly intentional—her face flushed with feigned embarrassment. Hunter's arm shot out instantly to catch her, effortlessly pulling her upright. She leaned against him, beaming as if he'd just rescued her from peril, then glanced my way, flashing that same smug smile that had been tormenting me lately.

Some pack members around me muttered, watching with a mix of shock and amusement. The rest, including a few Omegas, whispered among themselves, speculating about how long the "Luna" would tolerate being treated like an outsider.

It stung. Even my friends couldn't meet my gaze anymore, not with the Alpha so openly choosing Katherine over me. I sat up straight, trying to maintain my composure. Just as I reached for my phone to continue texting, Hunter's deep, commanding voice called my name.

"Ava, come here."

I looked up, surprised to see him standing nearby, arms crossed, his intense gaze fixed on me. "We need to talk."

Swallowing hard, I nodded, feeling everyone's eyes on me as I stood and followed him. The whispers grew louder behind me as we entered one of the private alcoves near the hall.

Once the door closed, Hunter crossed his arms, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You didn't call me last night. Or even text. Nothing."

I clenched my fists, forcing a calm tone. "Why would I? Katherine was with you, right? You didn't need me."

His expression darkened, and suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders, his voice low and seething. "You're my mate, Ava. Don't pretend you're unaffected. I didn't come home, and I don't believe that you're 'not mad.'"

I shrugged off his hands, taking a step back. "I told you, I'm not mad. If you're choosing her, that's your decision. Just don't expect me to—"

Before I could finish, his grip tightened. He was silent for a moment, his jaw clenched. Then, almost as if catching himself, he released me. In the sudden release, I stumbled back slightly, catching myself on the table behind me. My fingers brushed against something soft, and when I lifted my hand, a familiar piece of lace dangled from my fingers.

Pink lace. Katherine's.

The color drained from Hunter's face. His mouth opened, then closed, as if struggling for an excuse. But I didn't wait. I tossed the bra back onto the table, feeling my voice harden. "If you have nothing else to say, Alpha, I'll be going."

He looked as if he wanted to argue, but I turned on my heel, leaving him standing there.

Outside, I took a deep breath, trying to swallow the wave of hurt clawing up my chest. This wasn't new. It wasn't even unexpected. But this time, it felt final. I didn't need his excuses or apologies, not anymore.

I returned to the main hall, picking up my phone to check for messages from my lawyer. Just as I was about to leave, I heard Hunter's familiar voice again.

"Ava, get in the car. We'll drop Katherine off first, then we can go to that new place by the lake. Your favorite."

I paused, perplexed. He hadn't invited me out in ages, let alone to one of my favorite spots. Katherine poked her head out from the passenger side, grinning with that same smug look. "Sorry, Ava, I'm hitching a ride again!"

Without looking at her, I focused on the cab pulling up across the road. "You two go ahead. I've got... other plans."

The amusement on Katherine's face faltered. She looked between Hunter and me, her eyes narrowing slightly. Hunter's expression turned stormy, but I didn't give him a chance to speak. Instead, I walked around his car and stepped into the cab, feeling his gaze burning into my back as I shut the door.

As the cab pulled away, I glanced out the window, taking one last look at the pack house, watching Hunter's stunned face fade into the distance.

I wasn't his Luna. I wasn't his anything. But for the first time in ages, I felt a strange sense of relief.