“Rachel’s still going to stand in for you at the ceremony. Your attack on her looks bad, so the apology was just for show. Don’t overthink it. The elders were just upset – I’ll make them apologize after everything’s done.”
“Rest well. I have a surprise coming for the ceremony. You’ll love it, I promise.”
But I understood now.
The performance wasn’t for Rachel’s benefit.
It had all been for me…
He’d played the devoted mate for five years.
w it was time for the f
Now
final act.
I stayed away from the pack house for the next two days.
Marcus didn’t return either.
He was too busy preparing for the marking ceremony.
Insisting on overseeing every detail personally.
The morning of the ceremony, I called him one last time.
He was preoccupied with his Beta, barely acknowledging my call.
“Alpha, are you certain about transferring half the northern territories to Rachel? She’s not pack–born. It’s risky to give an outsider so much power.”
“Do as I say. That half is compensation I promised her. The other half is for Oliver’s inheritance.”
“And handle the ceremony guests yourself. Watch for any trouble from Sarah’s old pack.”
Only after the Beta left did Marcus remember the open phone line.
“Sarah? Sorry for the wait. The ceremony’s about to begin. I’ll come back to you as soon as it’s done. Don’t be upset.”
I stared at the convoy reservation in my hand, keeping my voice carefully neutral.
“Don’t worry about it. I won’t keep you.”
“Marcus… congratulations on your mating.”
He paused for a moment, then laughed.
“You mear
You mean our mating. Be a good girl and wait for me at home.”
As the call ended, I walked onto the plane.
2/3
The silver in my veins burned less now,
My wolf stirred more strongly each day.
We both knew this wasn’t the end.
Just a new beginning
When the confirmation of my pack registry deletion came through, I erased every trace of him from my life.
Phone numbers
Photos
Messages.
All gone, like smoke in the wind.
