Chapter 3

I trudged back from the pack therapist's office, keeping my head low as I walked, hoping to avoid running into anyone.

When Dad discovered me lying in a pool of my vomit this morning, he didn't know what to do, and seeing his expression shift between helplessness and anger made me feel even smaller.

He mindlinked Josie (the Alpha's mother) and had her come stay with me in the bathroom as I washed myself. My wedding dress was finally ruined. It had caught most of the puke.

I sat like a scolded child while they booked me a session with the pack therapist. A session where I'd sat staring into space until the hour was up. I knew the doctor would insist to my dad that I come for another session, but I couldn't care less.

A woman asking me about my problems wasn't going to magically make the ache go away.

A woman bumped into me as I walked, making me stumble slightly. I raised my head to see Cora smirking at me.

Cora was my version of a bully. Beautiful and aloof, she had always found sick pleasure in tormenting me. Of course, being highborn in the pack gave her leave to do whatever she wanted, and that included making my life even more miserable than it was.

She was one of the pack members who thought my being mated with Sean was a fluke. She proved that when she spoke.

"How'd your visit with the shrink go?"

I ignored her and stepped to the side. She stepped in front of me.

"How the mighty have fallen." She laughed. "You thought just because you were mated to Sean, your lowly status as omega would be overlooked? Too bad for you, Sean came to his senses. Although why he took so long to reject trash like you is still lost on me." She laughed again at her poor joke.

I sighed again, although my eyes were beginning to sting. "What do you want now, Cora?"

She smiled broadly. "I heard you tried to kill yourself. Did Sean hurt you that bad?"

I shook my head, now angry at her nerves.

For years, this pack has been the source of my unhappiness. Now, I couldn't even be allowed to grieve in peace.

Scowling, I shoved past her, hitting her shoulder with mine. She stumbled.

"Hey!"

Before I knew it, she grabbed my hand and yanked me backward, raising her hand to slap me.

Before she could, however, a familiar voice cut in.

"Careful, Cora,” Sean said. "That one's fragile."

He was back to his usual charismatic self, all smiles and dimples, as he strolled towards Cora and I. Cora's hand was still gripping my wrist tightly, and I roughly broke out of her grasp.

"Aren't you, Nova?" Sean asked.

"What are you doing here?" I spat.

Sean rolled his eyes. "Still dramatic? Relax. I'm not here for you. I'm waiting on my mate."

I tried to stifle a pang in my heart as I heard his words.

Didn't he care that I was supposed to be his mate? How could he transition so smoothly from rejecting me to calling Anya his mate?

"Are you and Anya going somewhere?" Cora asked eagerly.

Sean nodded, smiling like he was about to reveal a huge secret.

"We decided to honeymoon at the cabin at the edge of the pack. We'll be there for a week."

I turned my head sharply to Sean, my feeling of betrayal compounding.

Sean and I were supposed to spend our honeymoon in that cabin and we had spent days stocking up on things we would need.

"Bastard,” I hissed at him.

He shook his head. "That word is getting old, Nova. And you keep forgetting that I'm still your Beta and you're still an omega. Another word out of line and I'll have you punished."

I stared at the heartless man in front of me. "One day, Sean, you'll regret all of this."

He rolled his eyes again, then his face lit up as Anya walked towards us.

Without another word, I quickly turned away and stalked back towards the pack house.

When I was a good distance away from them, I let my face crumple and allowed a tear to slide down.

I knew what I had to do. It was obvious Sean had made his choice and nothing was likely to change it.

The house came into view just as I made my decision.

"Sean,” I whispered under my breath, "I accept your rejection."

I didn't feel anything, but I knew the remnants of our bond would be sniped away with my acceptance. All that was left was to make sure I wasn't faced with the reminder of all that I had lost.

My letter to my dad was halfway composed by the time I got to my room. I knew he would still expect me to be with the therapist, so now was the perfect time to do what I had to.

My pen flew across paper as I explained to the man who had raised me that I couldn't continue living miserably even if it meant I was away from the only person who wanted me. When I folded the paper and kept it on my pillow where it would easily be seen, a few teardrops spilled onto it.

My few clothes went into a suitcase next, followed by the two books I owned, and my measly savings.

I had no idea if it would be enough to buy me my freedom, but I'd rather die than not try.

My heart pounded as the severity of what I was about to do dawned on me. Out of the pack, I would be at the mercy of rogues, but I didn't care. I'd take anything.

The packed house was quiet as I sneaked out with my small suitcase under my arm, praying silently that no one saw me. I wanted it to be as painless as possible.

Soon, I was out of the living area and in the woods. I tried not to stumble as I briskly walked past our borders, trying to ignore the sudden overcast sky, and feeling the last of my tethers to the pack fade away.

I was now officially a rogue. Free pickings for whoever found me. I hoped it wasn't as bad as the stories made it out to be because if it was, I was in deeper shit than I was before.

Almost immediately, I heard a deep, feral growl.