Chapter 9 Overheard Truths
ARYA
I moved closer to Ryker, straining to hear. He shifted to make room for me, and we both peered through the crack in the door.
From this angle, we could just barely see them in the foyer below. Jaime had his back to us, his shoulders were tense. Elira was circling him like a predator to their prey.
“The council meeting is tonight,” she continued. “They’re going to formally vote on the separation. You need to be prepared.”
“I am prepared.” He sounded exhausted. I would have shut up ten minutes ago if I was in her shoes, but she kept going. And I didn’t know if she was brave or stupid.
“Are you?” Elira stopped in front of him. “Because it seemed like you hesitated earlier when she confronted you.”
“I didn’t hesitate.”
“You did.” Her voice dropped lower, more intimate. “You’re having second thoughts. After everything we’ve planned—”
“I’m not having second thoughts.” Jaime’s voice was sharp. “The separation is happening. Arya agreed to it.”
My heart clenched. Hearing him say my name with such detachment hurt more than it should have.
“Good.” Elira smiled, and even from here I could see the satisfaction in it. “Because once she’s gone, we can finally move forward. The pack will be stronger. You’ll be stronger.”
“The pack comes first,” Jaime said, like he was trying to convince himself.
“Of course it does. And I’ll be so much better for the pack than she ever was.” Elira’s hand came up to rest on Jaime’s chest. “I was born for this, JJ. Born to be your Luna. We both know it.”
Jaime didn’t push her hand away.
That hurt worse than anything else. The casual intimacy. The way he just… let her touch him. Let her stand in my house and plot my replacement like I was already gone.
“What about the other matter?” Jaime asked, and something in his tone made my blood run cold.
“The rogues?” Elira’s voice dropped to barely a whisper. “That’s being handled.”
“By whom?”
“Does it matter? What matters is that they served their purpose. She’s scared now. Vulnerable. It’ll make the separation easier.”
I stopped breathing.
The rogues. The attack. That had been them?
Ryker’s hand found mine, squeezing hard. His face had gone white with fury.
“I didn’t agree to putting pack members in danger,” Jaime said, and there was an edge to his voice now.
“One guard was injured. He’ll heal.” Elira waved a dismissive hand. “It was a necessary risk to establish the narrative. Arya as a liability. Someone dangerous people are looking for. It makes your decision to separate look protective rather than rejecting.”
“That’s manipulative.”
“That’s politics, darling.” Elira’s laugh was soft. “Something your sentimental little Luna never understood.”
“Don’t call her that.”
“Why? That’s what she is, isn’t it? What you said yourself. A sentimental choice. Your grandmother’s dying wish that you were too honorable to refuse.”
Silence.
Jaime didn’t deny it. I didn’t expect him to defend me either. Of course, he didn’t disappointment. He just stood there and let Elira tear me apart with my own husband’s words.
“The vote will pass tonight,” Elira continued. “The council is already convinced. And then we can start planning our announcement. I was thinking about a traditional Luna ceremony in six months? Long enough to be respectful, but not so long that people start questioning—”
“Six months?” Jaime sounded startled. “Elira, we haven’t even—”
“Haven’t even what, discussed us?” She pressed closer, batting her eyelashes in a way that was supposed to be seductive. “JJ, we’ve been discussing us since we were teenagers. This has always been the plan. Arya was just… a detour.”
A detour.
Five years of my life. A detour.
I turned away from the door, unable to listen anymore. Ryker caught me, steadying me as my knees threatened to give out.
“We need to leave,” he whispered urgently. “Before the council meeting.”
He was right. If they were voting tonight, if this was all already decided, I needed to be gone before they could make it official. Before they could trap me in more pack politics and legal proceedings.
Before I had to stand there and listen to them list all the reasons I wasn’t good enough.
I nodded, swallowing back the tears that threatened to fall. I wouldn’t cry. Not here where they might hear me.
We moved quickly, silently, gathering the last of my things. Ryker did one final sweep of the room while I wrote a note for Mrs. Hargrove. I couldn’t leave without some explanation, even if I couldn’t tell her everything.
Dear Anna,
I have to go. Please don’t worry about me, and please don’t look for me. This isn’t about you. You’ve been more family to me than anyone in this pack. But I can’t stay here anymore.
Thank you for everything. For raising me, for supporting me, for never making me feel like I wasn’t enough.
I love you.
Arya
I left the note on my pillow, knowing she’d find it when she came to check on me later.
Ryker had both bags slung over his shoulder, checking his watch. “We have maybe two hours before people start asking questions.”
“What about you?” I asked suddenly. “Jaime will know you helped me. He’ll—”
“I don’t care.” Ryker’s eyes were fierce. “Let him know. I’m done serving an Alpha who treats people like pawns.”
“He’ll remove you as Beta.” I pressed, so he would understand what he was risking.
Ryker wasn’t moved.
“Good. I’ll finally be free to make my own choices.”
The weight of what he was giving up for me settled heavy in my chest. His position, his status, his home, all of it.
“Ryker—”
“Don’t.” He shook his head. “Don’t apologize, don’t thank me, don’t try to talk me out of this. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Voices drifted up the stairs again. They’d moved closer now. Maybe to Jaime’s office. We needed to go.