Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Magnus POV

Nerissa's face was twisted in disbelief and, her chest rising and falling with anger as she stared at me. I could literally her eyes burning with humiliation, her pride wounded by the audacity of my rejection

I had tried to make this work, to convince myself that she wasn't bad as I feared. But, I can't lie to myself anymore. Seeing Zara in such a fragile state had pushed me past my limit and for someone who just came back from the brink of death, I don't have the patience to condone anyone's selfishness.

This time, it's aura for aura. Trouble for trouble

"You can't be serious," she spat, her voice sharp with challenge.

I straightened, meeting her gaze. "I'm damn serious."

"You're being irrational," she snapped, her voice rising with venom. "You just woke up, you're weak, your mind isn't clear!" You don't get to dump me, Magnus. Not after everything I’ve done for you. I have stood by you, fought for you, sacrificed for you! I am supposed to be your Luna!”

I stared at her, feeling nothing towards her. There was a time she was my world, a time when I dare not turn my back on her. But now I don't even feel guilty about walking away. I can see her for what she is now —power-hungry, manipulative and utterly incapable of love. I had been the one loving her for years. But now, I'm done.

"Aside from the throne," I asked, my voice steady, "do you actually feel anything for me?".

She stiffened. Of course, she didn't. I had always known that but I have been scared to acknowledge it. She had always made it seem like being with me was some favor, something I should be grateful for.

She opened her mouth but no words came out. She hesitated for a second too long. A second to prove what I had already suspected.

“I—Of course I do,” she stammered, but the words lacked conviction.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I had my answer already. My heart tightened, the truth settling on me like a heavy weight.

Nerissa had never loved me. Not really. She loved the power that came with being by my side, the honour that would eventually come from being the Alpha's chosen Luna if I ever reclaimed the throne. She loved the crown, the control, the illusion of dominance she wielded in my absence. But me? The man beneath the title? She had never seen me. Never cared to.

"You're obsessed with the throne," I said coldly. "Not with me."

Her jaw tightened, her eyes flickering with something dark. But then she composed herself, shifting her expression into something softer, something calculated.

“This is about Zara, isn’t it?” she said, her voice dropping to a coaxing whisper. “You’re breaking up with me because you know she’s your mate. You think you love her, but it’s just the bond messing with your head.”

I scoffed. Of course, it wasn't about Zara. I might have felt something for her because of our childhood memories and the mate bond but that wasn't enough to be love. "That's a lie and you know it."

Her mask slipped off.

"You'll regret this," she seethed, her voice trembling with barely restrained fury. "You'll regret choosing that weak, little girl over me."

She turned on her heel and stormed out, her scent lingering in the air like a looming danger.

I exhaled slowly, letting the tension seep out of me. There was other important matters to focus on rather than dwelling on this.

Then I turned to Viktor who had been silently watching the entire time. His expression unreadable, but I knew he was pleased with my actions. He had once told me about Nerissa's ambitions.

"There's a spy among us," I said, my voice was barely above a whisper. "Someone had been betraying us and feeding Ashen with information about us and I intend to find out."

Viktor's jaw clenched. "You think Nerissa would...."

"She's too obvious," I cut in. "She isn't the one. She wanted power too much to risk everything we've worked hard for. This is someone else."

Viktor nodded, understanding my point. "So why do you suggest we do? Ashen is getting closer."

My mind raced for a plan. I knew I couldn't strike now. Not this time, not this state when I could barely stand by myself. If I did, then my ruin is inevitable. I finally found one that could buy me time. I sighed in relief.

"For now, let's prepare to move to my other apartment in town."

Viktor blinked. "The one surrounded by humans? Why? I know how much you hated that place."

He was right. I did hate the crowded, suffocating city, but it was also the last place, Ashen would have expected me to be. And when I'm well enough, I will make sure to repay back the favor.

Viktor nodded, and bowed before turning to leave the room, his boots hitting the floor with urgency.

And it was just me and Zara alone. I turned to her. She hadn’t moved from where Viktor had helped her to sit. Her eyes were downcast, her hands clutching the fabric of her dress as if grounding herself. She looked small, fragile. Yet, there was something in her silence that told me she was holding back a storm of emotions. Guilt? Regret? Pain? I do not know, but it really made my wolf weak.

I stepped closer, crouching down beside her.

"Are you okay?"

Her throat bobbed, but no words came out. For a moment, I thought she wouldn't answer. Then she nodded slowly.

"Zara." I held her hands, squeezing it gently. "Your voice pulled me out of coma. The Moon Goddess has used you to save me."

She didn't say anything, or try to fight against my touch like she always did. Instead, she was still, and tears slide down her cheeks.

It was okay for her to cry. She had been strong for too long in the past few months. But those tears were like a dagger to my heart. I had caused her immense pain, and suffering, drag her into a mess she knew nothing about, just because I was trying to outsmart Ashen, and now I realised I was no different from him.

Truly, I deserved everything that happened to me with Nerissa and Ashen. But now, I'm determined to make it right. I only told Nerissa I will claim her as my mate to make her feel as much pain as she had caused Zara. I had no intention of doing that. I will let Zara leave. I will let her return back to Ashen, her pack or whatever she wants to go.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," I said quietly, my voice thick with guilt. "You can leave—"

The words died in my mouth as she wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace.