Chapter 116

I surveyed my new room, taking in its details with a mix of awe and detachment. The wooden boards framed a massive, wall-sized window directly in front of me, leading out to a quaint balcony. Sunlight poured in generously, bathing the dark wooden floors in a warm glow. The raw, white walls stood in striking contrast to the deep brown flooring, creating a perfect harmony with the furniture’s skeletal frames, wrapped in light cream leather. But the centerpiece of the room—the one that demanded my attention—was the bed.

Its grand ebony frame stretched all the way to the ceiling, adorned with a cream-white canopy that cascaded down in soft, silken layers. Beneath the delicate fabric lay a plush quilt and an array of down pillows, inviting and luxurious. The whole scene radiated an air of intimacy and indulgence, a perfect balance of comfort and allure. Just the sight of it stirred something within me, a fleeting flicker of desire, quickly swallowed by a deeper ache.

My chest tightened again.

Doubt crept into my mind like an unwelcome guest. Had the bond-breaking incantation I’d recited—the one I had uttered with a desperate finality—actually worked? Perhaps it had... but only on Hadrian. For me, nothing felt different. Maybe that was the curse of being human.

"Damn these worthless genes!" I shouted, my voice cracking under the weight of frustration.

It was a cruel reality. I was unable to sense the mate bond, and the blood bond—a connection that should have severed cleanly—had instead left me in limbo. Was I doomed to live in uncertainty, to be haunted by questions I couldn’t answer? Was my fate to feel heartbroken, hollow, and adrift?

I couldn’t stop wondering what Hadrian felt now. Was he relieved? Freed of the weight my blood had forced him to carry? He had fought so hard against the feelings that bond imposed on him. Did he feel liberated when I left?

The thought twisted painfully in my chest, and tears spilled over, hot and unrelenting. I was sinking deeper into despair when a sudden knock at the door startled me.

I scrambled to my feet, hastily wiping my face.

"Yes? Who is it?" I called, my voice trembling.

"It’s Ronan. I’ve brought your suitcase, Ms. Thalassa."

I opened the door, forcing a smile. "Please, come in," I said, gesturing for him to enter. "And call me Thalassa, please."

"I’m afraid I can’t do that," Ronan replied with a playful wink, setting my suitcase down inside. "Alpha would have my head if I addressed you so informally."

"Seriously, Beta Ronan? I think I’m capable of deciding how I want to be addressed," I retorted with a smirk.

"Not when Alpha Kenzo has decided you’re his Luna-to-be," he chuckled.

The words hit me like a cold wind, sending a shiver down my spine.

"What... what did you just say?" I stammered.

"Isn’t it obvious?" He shrugged, as if discussing the weather.

I swallowed hard, the weight of his casual remark pressing down on me. Panic flashed in my eyes, and Ronan noticed.

"Relax," he said with a grin. "It’s not a death sentence."

"I didn’t mean it like that," I replied quickly, trying to mask my unease. "It’s just... a lot to take in."

"You’ll get used to it... and to Alpha Kenzo. He’s not as bad as you might think," Ronan said, his tone laced with encouragement.

I forced a polite smile, but his reassurances barely touched the knot of fear and confusion inside me. Kenzo might not be the villain Ronan believed I imagined him to be, but that didn’t mean I was ready to feel anything for him.

Speaking of feelings... did he truly have any for me?

"Beta Ronan," I began hesitantly, "can I ask you something personal?"

"Go ahead." He leaned back in the nearest chair, looking at ease.

I perched on the edge of the bed, meeting his gaze. "Do you have a mate?"

He smiled warmly, the kind of smile that could only come from memories steeped in love.

"Yes," he said. "I found Olivia six years ago when I visited a nearby pack."

"What was it like?" I asked, my voice softer now. "How did you know she was the one?"

He exhaled deeply, his grin widening. His whole demeanor changed, radiating joy and tenderness as if he were reliving the moment.

"It was like being pulled by an invisible thread—an irresistible calling I couldn’t ignore. When I saw her, she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. Some men were standing near her, talking to her, and I swear, I wanted to rip them apart just for being close to her." He laughed at the memory, the sound rich with affection.

"And... were you in love with her from the moment you saw her?" I asked, feeling suddenly shy.

"I... I’m not sure how to explain what I felt," Ronan said, his gaze drifting upward as though searching the air for the right words. Finally, he continued, "It was like every part of me wanted to surrender to her completely, yet there was also this primal instinct roaring inside me, claiming that she was mine—mine alone. And I still feel that way." He chuckled softly, a shy blush spreading across his face.

I couldn’t help but smile, though my thoughts wandered. Did Kenzo feel something similar when he saw me at the ball? Was that why he attacked Merrick? Did he feel an overwhelming need to protect me because, in that instant, he knew I was his?

I wished I could understand what that kind of connection felt like. Maybe then everything would make more sense. Perhaps I’d look at Kenzo and immediately know what was best for me.

"Is Olivia a werewolf?" I asked, pulling myself from my musings.

"She’s a half-breed," Ronan replied with a grin. "She doesn’t have a wolf, but she felt the bond instantly."

"I envy her," I murmured, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "My life would be so much easier if I could just feel who I’m meant to be with."

"Hey, cheer up!" Ronan smirked, his tone light. "The mate bond is amazing, sure, but you don’t need to feel it to be with a wolf, you know."

"Yeah, you’re probably right," I said with a soft laugh. "Though, I guess that means Alpha Kenzo will have to work a little harder if he really wants me."

Ronan’s expression shifted, and his voice grew serious. "Oh, you’d better be ready for it."

Something about the gravity in his tone sent a strange flutter through my chest. It was as if my heart, desperate to bury the ache, latched onto the smallest hint of distraction. I despised that feeling. I’d followed my heart before, and it had led me straight into the unconditional love I had for Hadrian—a love that only brought me pain.

I was still trying to lock that love away, piece by painful piece. It would take time for it to fade entirely, but one thing was certain: I wouldn’t let myself fall into another relationship without careful thought.

"Well, I’ve got to get going, Ms. Thalassa," Ronan said, standing up and heading toward the door. "Is there anything you need? Or maybe you’d like to see the town? It’s safe here. You can walk around freely, wherever you like."

The offer lit something inside me. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been free to simply walk without fear. My life had been an endless cycle of looking over my shoulder, and even when I’d been offered protection, it had come at the cost of living in a gilded cage.

"I’d love to see the town... if that’s okay," I replied timidly.

"Great!" Ronan grinned. "I’ll let Leif know. He’ll take you wherever you want to go. I’ll tell him to meet you at the main entrance. How much time do you need?"

"Fifteen minutes," I said, my excitement bubbling over.

Ronan nodded and left, and as soon as the door closed behind him, I practically jumped with joy. A giddy grin spread across my face, and I realized how much I craved freedom. The thought of strolling through the streets, browsing shop windows, and wandering aimlessly was exhilarating. For the first time, I was far beyond my father’s reach, and the possibilities seemed endless.

I hurried to take a quick shower, changed into something fresh, grabbed my purse, and dashed downstairs, laughing at how ridiculous my enthusiasm was. Stepping outside, I immediately spotted a blond, blue-eyed man leaning casually against a black Range Rover. His halfway unbuttoned black shirt and worn jeans gave him a rugged, effortless look.

His expression was unreadable, almost blank, and for a moment, I wondered if he was asleep with his eyes open.

"Um... are you Leif?" I asked, giving him a polite smile.

He flinched slightly, as though my words had shaken him from a daydream. "Yup," he said with a grin.

With a quick, almost theatrical flourish, he opened the car door for me, gesturing for me to get in.

I nodded, sliding into the passenger seat, and before I could even settle, he vaulted over the hood of the car and landed behind the wheel in one smooth motion.

It was obvious he was trying to impress "the new girl," and though it worked—I was impressed—I kept my expression neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction. I just smiled politely, waiting for him to start the engine.

Leif glanced at me, his initial confidence wavering as he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh, is there somewhere specific you’d like to go, Ms. Thalassa?"

"Yes," I replied with a mischievous smirk. "Do you know where I can buy a phone? I think it’s about time I got one."