Chapter 32 Goodbye
JAIME
His voice returned, gentle but with the force of authority. “From what I understand, she has significant support. And she’s spreading rumors that Arya bewitched me, that the Moonborne line is dangerous, that old prejudices were correct.” A pause. “She’s trying to start the war your grandmother’s choice of Arya was meant to prevent.”
My blood ran cold. “What do you need from me?”
“Nothing. I’m simply informing you that if Elira continues on this path, I’ll handle it. Permanently.” His voice dropped. “And I wanted to give you the chance to distance yourself from her actions publicly. For your pack’s sake.”
“Consider it done.”
“Good. And Alpha Jaime?” His tone shifted slightly. “I believe your regret is genuine. I believe you’re trying to change. But Arya has been hurt enough. If you truly love her, you’ll let her heal. Let her find happiness. Even if it’s not with you.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because my guards report that you’ve been making inquiries. Asking about the estate location. Asking mutual contacts how she’s doing.” He didn’t sound angry, just firm. “Stop. Give her space. If she wants contact with you, she’ll initiate it.”
He was right. I’d been obsessing, trying to find ways to see her, to talk to her.
Trying to fix something that was beyond fixing.
“I understand.”
“I hope so. Because I would hate to have to make it an official order.” A pause. “Despite everything, I don’t think you’re a bad male. Just one who made terrible choices. Learn from them. Be better. But be better for your pack, not for her. She’s no longer your concern.”
He hung up.
I stood there, phone in hand, feeling like I’d just been gently but firmly put in my place by someone infinitely more powerful.
The Lycan King was right. Arya wasn’t my concern anymore. She was his. And the sooner I accepted that, the sooner I could start actually healing instead of just wallowing.
My Beta returned. “Alpha Cyrus agrees to meet. Tomorrow, neutral territory.”
“Good.” I straightened my shoulders. “And call a press conference. I want every pack in the region to hear this.”
“Hear what?”
“That I publicly disavow Elira and anyone who stands with her. That the Northern Pack stands with the unity Arya tried to build.” I looked at him seriously. “Even if it means standing alone.”
“Alpha, that’s—”
“The right thing to do. Finally.” I managed a bitter smile. “Better late than never, right?”
He didn’t answer. Probably because we both knew that when it came to Arya, it was absolutely too late.
But maybe I could make sure her legacy lived on.
Make sure the pack she’d tried so hard to improve actually became what she’d envisioned.
It wouldn’t bring her back. It wouldn’t earn her forgiveness.
But it was the only thing I had left to give her.
That evening, I recorded the press statement.
“I am Alpha Jaime Blackthorne of the Northern Pack. Three days ago, I made what will likely be recorded as the biggest mistake of my life. I let my former Luna, Arya, leave without fighting for her. Without acknowledging what she meant to this pack.”
I looked directly into the camera.
“Arya was everything a Luna should be. Strong, intelligent, compassionate, dedicated. She worked tirelessly for five years to make this pack better. And I—along with many in my pack—failed to see her value. We let tradition and prejudice blind us.”
I took a breath.
“Former pack member Elira Thornwood is spreading lies about Arya. Claiming she’s dangerous, that the Moonborne bloodline is a threat, that old prejudices were correct. I’m here to state clearly, Elira is wrong. And anyone who stands with her stands against the Northern Pack.”
The words would have consequences. I knew that.
“Arya is with the Lycan King now, claimed as his mate. And while it hurts to admit, I’m glad. Because he saw her worth immediately. He’s giving her what I couldn’t. The respect she deserved and protection. And most importantly, the freedom to be herself.”
My voice roughened.
“To Arya, if you ever see this, I’m sorry. For everything. You deserved so much better than what I gave you. But I’m trying to build the pack you envisioned. Trying to make your five years here mean something.”
I paused.
“And to any pack considering aligning with Elira’s coalition. Choose carefully. Because you’re not just choosing politics. You’re choosing whether to stand with progress or cling to prejudices that nearly destroyed us all.”
I ended the recording, knowing it would spread through the supernatural community within hours.
Knowing it would paint a target on my back.
But also knowing it was what Arya would have wanted me to do.
Even if she never knew I’d done it.
My phone buzzed again. This time, the message was from an unknown number, but I recognized the writing style immediately.
Thank you. For the statement. For trying. It doesn’t change what happened, but it means something.
– A
Just two sentences.
But they were from her. She’d seen it and she’d acknowledged it.
It wasn't forgiveness but it still fixed a tiny crack in the wall between us.
I typed back carefully:
You don’t have to thank me. You don’t owe me anything. But I’m glad you know I’m trying.
Her response took longer this time.
Be better, Jaime. Not for me. For the pack. For yourself. That’s all I ever wanted.
I will. I promise.
Good. Goodbye, Jaime.
Goodbye.
The finality in that word was devastating.
But also… freeing, somehow.
She was letting me go. Giving me permission to move forward without the weight of what I’d destroyed.
‘Goodbye, Arya. Be happy.
I set the phone down and looked around my empty office.
Empty pack house.
Empty life.
Maybe I could fill it with something meaningful this time. Something that honored what she’d tried to teach me. Something that made me worthy of the Alpha title I’d nearly destroyed through pride and stupidity.
My wolf settled slightly, still hurting but no longer howling.
‘We’ll be okay,’ I told him.
‘Eventually,’ he agreed sadly. ‘Eventually.’
It would have to be enough.
Because it was all we had left.