CHAPTER 7

Painful Separation

Flora stood firm, her gaze unwavering as Adrian's footsteps echoed on the ground. The man who had once been her world now felt like a stranger, and the words that left her lips were filled with a quiet strength she hadn't known she possessed.

"I already told you, Adrian. I’m not going back with you."

Her voice came out even, but the rise in her chest was a strain that threatened to spill over. She clenched her fists tighter to still the tremor that ran through her as Adrian stood below her, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Do not be obstinate, Flora," he said, his voice smooth, almost pleading, but with an edge beneath it. "You belong at my side. You know that."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, sharp and harsh. "Oh, I know that? Is that right? Funny, because I don't recall belonging anywhere near you when you were in another woman's arms the day of our wedding."

Adrian's jaw clenched, his face going hard. For one quick, passing instant, something flickered in his eyes-guilt? Maybe. But he quickly masked it, crossing his arms over his broad chest as if preparing for battle.

"That is not what you think it was," he muttered, his voice low.

"Then what was it, Adrian?" Flora took a step forward, her heart hammering in her throat. "Go on. Explain it to me. Make it make sense."

He blew out a frustrated breath, shaking his head as though her anger was unjustified. "I don't owe you an explanation. You should've trusted me."

"Trusted you?" Flora echoed, incredulous. "Do you even hear yourself? You left me standing there, humiliated in front of everyone. You didn't come after me. You didn't even try to explain until now, when you want something."

Adrian's lips pressed into a thin line. "I gave you space.

"Oh, how chivalrous of you," she spat, the sarcasm slicing sharper than any blade. "You gave me silence, Adrian. You let the whole world tear me apart and you said nothing. Now, since you decided that I'd had 'enough time' in your own mind, I'm supposed to fall in line as before?"

His face turned darker, with anger rising close to the surface. "I never asked you to fall in line."

"No, you just expect it," she snapped, and the words sliced through the air like a whip.

For the longest moment, neither of them moved. In her chest, Flora's heart was racing, the silence between them like a palpable thing. She was sure that he could hear it, that frantic rhythm.

"Flora," he finally said, much softer, nearly tender. "Come home."

Her chest constricted. She could feel the tug of his voice, that old ache deep inside her. But this time, she fought against it, pushing back the old feelings that once had bound her to him.

"I already am home."

Adrian's nostrils flared in frustration. "You know what I mean.

"No, Adrian," Flora said, the steel now palpable in her voice, her words shaking with a finality even to her ears. "I don't. Because if you really wanted me, you would've fought for me before now."

Something in his eyes gave. Just for that instant, a doubt crossed his features, so slight it was barely visible. But it was long enough for Flora to know.

"This isn't about you and me," Adrian finally said in a low tone after some time.

Flora crossed her arms over her chest, a defiant smirk tugging at her lips. "No, of course not. It's about duty, right? About your Luna needing to take her place, looking good for the pack?"

His eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Make it sound like you mean nothing to me."

Flora swallowed, her eyes narrowing as she digested the words. "Do I?"

He didn't answer immediately, and again, the silence was loud with its absence. The hesitation, the lack of response, was enough to tell her everything.

"I thought so," she whispered, her words bitter on her tongue.

"Flora—"

"No," she cut through, stepping away. "I'm done. I'm done playing this game with you. You want to be Alpha? You want to lead your pack? Go ahead. But don't come back here thinking you can just snap your fingers and I'll come running."

Adrian's hands fisted against his hips, face tightening in frustration. "You think this is easy for me?

Flora merely raised an eyebrow, her eyes level. "I really don't think you have any idea what pain feels like, and I don't mean physical pain."

For a moment, something in Adrian's expression cracked, and it was gone. He masked it, clamping down harder on his emotions.

"If you don't come back with me now," he started, his voice dark, dangerous.

The words hit her like a slap, even though she had expected them.

She forced a smile, her stomach wrenching with each passing second. "We were done a long time ago, Adrian. You just never noticed."

For one long, unbearable moment, Adrian just stood there, his eyes locked on hers. The storm in his gaze was palpable, the war within him playing out in the silence. And then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

Every step he took was like a blade being dragged through her chest, yet she didn't move; her heart was torn to shreds. She didn't call after him, didn't run after him.

It wasn't until he was out of sight that she exhaled a shaking breath, the mere whisper escaping into the void, "Goodbye, Adrian."

Hollow even to her ears, it was all she could say.

For a very long time, Flora stood there, frozen, the moment bearing down on her. Adrian was gone, walked away, leaving behind him only shards of their relationship. The pain still lingered but mixed with it-in fact, folded within the same fold-relief.

She had finally found strength to stand up for herself.

As she turned to walk away, the sound of footsteps behind her made her pause. Whipping around, she found Elijah, Adrian's beta, stepping out from the shadows.

"Flora," he said, his voice rough, filled with regret. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do."

Anger surged through Flora, but she bit it back, shaking her head. "You didn't do anything, Elijah. You just stood there and watched while Adrian destroyed me."

Guilt flashed across Elijah's face, his eyes downcast. "I know. I'm sorry, but I couldn't just walk away. I was trapped."

She sighed, the anger evaporating as it gave way to a surge of sympathy. He'd been trapped; just as much as her, but now, she was free.

"It's okay, Elijah," she said softly, her face softening in tone. "I know that you did whatever you thought at the time felt right. Well, now's my time. Time for moving on."

Elijah gave a small, knowing smile. "Glad I can hear it, Flora. You've deserved to be happy."

She smiled back-a small spark lighting up her chest in gratitude because Elijah had not been cruel all those years and at the harshest instance with Adrian as well.

"Thank you, Elijah," she said, her voice genuine. "That means a lot, coming from you."

Elijah nodded solemnly. "You need all the happiness in the world, Flora."

With that, something stirred within Flora. A hope, long buried, began to rise. Perhaps it was about time for a restart.

She walked away from Elijah with a newfound determination: to rebuild her life, to find happiness again, no matter what it took. And she would never let anyone hurt her like that again.

She walked for a long time, lost in thought, until she reached the small cabin she had rented. The peaceful surroundings welcomed her like an old friend, and she felt the weight of the past begin to lift, just a little.

Inside, a woman with long, curled hair and a warm smile greeted her.

"Hi," she said, standing up from the table. "I’m Sophia. I’ve been waiting for you."

Flora blinked in surprise, but Sophia's genuine smile made her strangely at ease.

"Hi," Flora said with a small smile. "I'm Flora."

Sophia grinned, her eyes sparkling with kindness. "I know. I have heard a lot about you."

Flora cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? What have you heard?"

Sophia chuckled softly. "I've heard that you are strong, determined, and resilient. And I have to say, I am impressed."

Flora was taken aback by the compliment. It had been so long since anyone had spoken to her like that, truly seeing her for who she was.

"Thank you," she said, her voice sincere. "That means a lot, coming from you."

Sophia nodded, her expression serious. "I mean it, Flora. You're going to do great things. I just know it."

Flora smiled for the first time in what felt like forever. The words filled her with a sense of warmth and possibility, the first spark of hope she'd felt in ages.

Maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.