Chapter 3
Elara's POV
The weight of the moment crushed down on me like an enormous tide, and with every breath I drew, the suffocation gripped me tighter than the space around me ever could. Betrayal stabbed right into the core of my being. My chest constricted as I pushed myself up, my entire frame quivering with dread. Everything whirled out of my grasp. My thoughts felt heavy, drowned in a mix of disbelief and raw agony.
Kael's words cut through me sharper than any knife. My body went rigid the instant those rejection phrases left his lips.
Out of nowhere, Seraphina appeared next to him. She draped her arms over his shoulders, her face twisted into a smug grin. Her gaze burned with pure loathing toward me.
Kael turned to her, sliding his arms around her waist in a claiming hold, yanking her nearer.
My heart faltered as I caught his next declaration.
"Seraphina is the one I've chosen as my mate," he announced, his tone laced with frost. "She'll be your Luna from here on out."
The pack erupted in cheers while my reality shattered into fragments before me. I stood there frozen, numb, with only the frantic thumping in my chest registering.
Kael didn't spare me a single glance. He just kept his eyes on her, as if she were the most captivating sight in his world.
"This isn't real..." hovered on my lips, but no sound emerged. Breathing itself was a struggle. My throat closed up, and my heart... it felt like it was being torn to shreds.
"Your promises..." I murmured faintly, but the mocking crowd drowned me out.
I remained rooted in place, eyes fixed on them. Kael and Seraphina side by side. How had I overlooked the signs?
"Kael..." I rasped, but he never turned my way—not during his announcement, not as I lingered there, shattered and devastated.
This was the guy I'd devoted the past three years to. I'd convinced myself we shared real love, let my defenses drop. And now he'd selected another.
It was too much to handle. Air wouldn't fill my lungs, and my chest threatened to burst. I stole one final look at them before whirling around and bolting toward my room—the only sanctuary I had left. I needed to escape it all.
I yanked open my door and slammed it shut, pressing my back against it for support. The tears I'd held back finally broke free, cascading down my cheeks. My heart ached fiercely, and drawing breath grew harder by the second.
"Why me? After all those prayers to be his... what did I do wrong, Kael?" I managed through sobs.
"He swore..."
My legs gave way, and I crumpled to the ground.
It had all been pointless. I'd loved Kael with everything in me. I'd poured out my soul, trusted his sweet words, dreamed we'd build a life together. How foolish I'd been.
I'd believed he truly saw me. That he cared deeply. But now... it was obvious I'd just been a naive idiot.
I hid my face in my palms, the sobs unstoppable as tears soaked through. I'd noticed his odd behavior lately, but... I'd chalked it up to caution, to protecting what we had. I'd told myself it was fine. I'd clung to hope. Dear gods, the hope I'd harbored.
But he hadn't chosen me. He'd gone with her. With the one who tormented me most. He'd selected Seraphina, right there in plain view, without a second thought. Had I ever truly mattered to him?
I drew my knees to my chest and wiped at my runny nose. Kael wasn't worth these tears anymore. He'd made his choice clear.
My strength ebbed away, fatigue pulling at me. The bed loomed nearby, but I couldn't bring myself to climb into it—not with memories of Kael so vivid, haunting every inch. So I closed my eyes and drifted off right there on the chilly floor.
The next morning, I stirred awake to find myself still sprawled on the tiles. My joints protested with aches from the cold that had seeped in overnight. Sleep had been fitful, leaving me even more worn out. I felt utterly broken.
But then came a knock at the door.
"Elara," a rough voice called from outside. "Alpha Kael demands your presence. Let's go."
My heart lurched. "Kael wants me?"
For a fleeting instant, a spark of hope ignited. Perhaps he'd seen his error. Maybe he was ready to say sorry, to retract those hurtful words. Maybe... just maybe he'd realized he preferred me after all.
I scrambled to my feet and threw on clothes, my fingers unsteady as the guards led me to Kael's quarters. My pulse thundered, a whirlwind of anticipation and terror churning within. Would he beg forgiveness? Admit it had all been some terrible mix-up?
Stepping inside, that fragile hope crumbled to dust.
Kael perched by the bedside, his fingers intertwined with Seraphina's. His expression was grave, impossible to decipher. Seraphina reclined on the bed, eyelids closed. Her breaths came shallow and labored, and the implication hit me hard. My gut twisted as the reason for my summons dawned on me.
"Elara," Kael said, his voice edged with anguish. He met my eyes. "You need to heal her. Right now."
I blinked, stunned yet not entirely surprised by the demand. Even if it tore me apart.
"What?"
"Seraphina fell ill overnight," he continued, his words cracking. "Dr. Alder headed out at dawn and can't treat her. I know you can fix this, so please, save her."
My lips pressed into a thin line as I stared him down. I'd suspected as much, but a part of me had clung to the chance he'd say something else.
"You expect me to heal her?" I demanded, my tone wavering.
He didn't hesitate. "Yes. She's my mate. She's irreplaceable."
"And what about me? The Moon Goddess destined us as mates, but you went with someone else," I snapped, fury and resentment boiling over.
"You want me to rescue her after everything you've put me through? After tossing me aside like garbage? Did you get a kick out of humiliating me last night?"
Kael's gaze bored into mine, colder than a winter storm.
"You were never more than a convenience to me, Elara. An orphan. A resource the pack needs. I tolerated you because you served a purpose, but that's it. Seraphina needs you now, so shut your mouth and help her. If she doesn't pull through, I'll end you myself."
His words struck like a brutal slap, leaving me reeling. Kael held alpha status now, having claimed his mate. I knew defying him like this was risky, but the pain fueled me.
I'd always imagined I was his true pick. But hearing him spell it out so callously, reducing me to nothing...
I wanted to shout back. To despise him openly. But even that freedom was denied. I had no choice but to comply.
"Fine," I whispered, the syllable barely escaping. "I'll do it."
I approached the bed, my hands shaking as I retrieved a knife from the nearby drawer and sliced across my palm. Every fiber of me screamed to refuse, to let her fade, to make Kael endure the torment he'd inflicted on me. But I couldn't. He'd made it crystal clear—if she died, so would I.
I shut my eyes, summoning the restorative power buried within. I pressed my bleeding hand to Seraphina's mouth, letting the drops trickle in.
"That won't cut it," Kael snarled, rising abruptly.
He seized my other arm, slashing deep into my wrist before forcing it to her lips. I struggled to pull away, but his grip was unyielding.
I felt my life force draining away, weariness crashing over me. My strength faded faster than anticipated with each passing moment. But I pressed on. Not until she recovered.
Minutes dragged on, and at last, her eyes fluttered open. Seraphina's breaths evened out, color blooming on her face as she shifted slightly. She was back among the living.
But I was utterly spent.
I fought to stay conscious, but my vision swam, and before I could react, darkness swallowed everything.
When awareness returned, I was back in my room. He must've carried me here after I passed out. I lingered there for a while, gazing blankly at the wall.
My romantic dreams had ended in a flash. Kael had opted for Seraphina. He'd nearly ended me. And now, here I was, isolated.
I eased myself upright, my mind foggy.
A chill ran through me, so I tugged the worn blanket over myself. Things weren't going to get better like I'd dreamed. That realization brought fresh tears. I couldn't remain here.
I refused to stick around as their endless blood source. I couldn't stand witnessing his joy with her while I was discarded like yesterday's news. Living in this pack any longer was unthinkable.
I had to run.
A surge of resolve hit me, and I climbed out of bed. No destination in mind, but that wouldn't deter me. With so few possessions, I figured I'd pack just a couple outfits to avoid raising alarms about my escape.
I stuffed my things together hastily, before doubt could creep in. Once ready, I hoisted the bag onto my shoulder and scanned the room one last time.
A tear escaped down my cheek, but I brushed it aside. I'd shed enough already. Time to prioritize myself.
I darted from the pack house, grateful to encounter no one. I slipped quietly to the territory's fringe, aiming for the boundary. Upon reaching it, I ducked into cover at the sight of patrolling guards. I bided my time until they moved on, then dashed across the line.
I was a rogue now. I'd abandoned everything familiar, but it was the sole path open to me.
With one final backward glance, I crossed over and kept going.
This wasn't flight from sorrow anymore. This was chasing my own liberation.