Chapter 5

Callum

I summon Brayden, my trusted Beta, to my office. His face is etched with concern when he arrives, clearly sensing that something is amiss.

"Brayden," I begin, taking a deep breath before explaining everything that has transpired between Aria and me. "Aria has left the pack – for good. I broke our bond and... and she rejected me as her mate."

His eyes widen in disbelief, shock written all over his face. "Callum, why on earth would you do that? You and Aria were perfect for each other. I know you don't love Tamara, not like you loved Aria. She was the love of your life."

My emotions bubble over, a mixture of anger, regret, and frustration. In a fit of rage, I sweep my arm across my desk, sending papers and small objects flying. "I don't need you to tell me that, Brayden!" I yell, my voice cracking. "I already know!"

My Alpha aura flares up, and I fix Brayden with an intense stare, trying to regain control of the situation. "I need you to track Aria down," I demand, my voice tight. "I want to know she's safe. But do not, under any circumstances, let her know I sent you. Do you understand?"

Brayden, stunned by my outburst, bows his head and submits, his voice strained. "Yes, Alpha. I understand."

He hesitates for a moment before turning to leave, clearly struggling to contain his own emotions. As the door closes behind him, I'm left alone in my destroyed office, surrounded by the wreckage of my own making.

As I sink into my chair, the weight of my actions bearing down on me, I meditate on whether I've pushed away the one person who truly mattered to me in a futile attempt to chase power and control. And now, as I send Brayden to track down the woman I still love, I'm left to face the consequences of my choices – whatever they may be.

Doubts and fears gnaw at me as I pace restlessly in my office. I can't shake the feeling that I need to see Aria for myself, to make sure she's safe and well. Eventually, I make up my mind – I have to find her.

I slip out of my office, avoiding the watchful eyes of my pack members, and make my way to the one place I think Aria might have gone – her parents' house. The forest is eerily quiet as I approach, and I'm all too aware of the heavy burden I carry with me.

As I near their home, I catch sight of Aria standing outside, her face tear-streaked as she says her goodbyes. Her family clings to her, their pain and sadness tangible even from a distance.

Crouched behind the trees, hidden from view, I watch as Aria hugs her parents one last time. Her mother's eyes are red and swollen, while her father holds her tightly, his face a mask of stoicism, but I can see the grief in his eyes.

With a final wave, Aria turns and walks away from her family, her shoulders hunched as if carrying an immense weight. She pauses for a moment, glancing around as if sensing my presence, but she doesn't see me hidden behind the trees. My heart aches as I see the pain in her eyes, and I wonder if she can ever forgive me for what I've done.

Despite my resolve to let Aria go, I decide to follow her. The urge to speak to her one last time is too strong to resist. As I catch up to her, I call out her name, my voice barely more than a whisper.

"Aria."

She stops in her tracks and turns her head, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of anger and pain.

"What else do you want from me, Callum? Haven't you humiliated me enough?"

I struggle to find the right words, my heart aching at the sight of her tears. "You don't need to leave the pack, Aria. You're still a part of it. The people love you."

Her voice rises as she yells at me, her grief and frustration boiling over. "How can you expect me to stay here when every time I see you, you'll be a reminder of your betrayal and the pain you've caused me?"

Desperate to help her in some small way, I reach into my pocket and pull out an envelope filled with money. "At least take this," I say, holding it out to her. "It's to make sure you have resources to support yourself."

Aria stares at the envelope for a moment before her face twists with anger. She snatches it from my hand and hurls it back at me, the bills scattering in the wind.

"I don't want your money, Callum. I don't want anything from you. I hate you! More than you can ever imagine."

Her words feel like a dagger to my heart, but I know I deserve them. I stand there, silent and unmoving, as Aria turns away from me and continues her journey. I watch her disappear out of view, each step taking her further away from me and the life we once shared.

Brayden approaches me, his eyes filled with concern and confusion. "Callum, what are you doing here? Why aren't you chasing after Aria? You still have a chance to make things right with her."

I stand my ground, my face impassive, refusing to let my emotions show. "Aria is history, Brayden. She's left the pack, and I don't want her name mentioned again."

Brayden looks at me in disbelief, shaking his head. "You can't be serious, Callum. You know Aria is your true mate. You can't just replace her with Tamara like this."

"I'm looking toward the future now, and my new Luna will be Tamara," I state coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. "That's what she wants, and that's what she'll get."

"Tamara is a cunning she-wolf who only wants to become Luna for her gain," Brayden warns, his voice tense. "She doesn't care about you or the pack like Aria did. Can't you see that?"

"I don't care anymore, Brayden," I reply, my words cutting through the air like a blade. "If that's what she wants, that's what she'll get."

"The elders will never agree to this nonsense, Callum," he says, his frustration evident. "They know Aria was your true mate, and they won't stand for you throwing her away for someone like Tamara."

I fix Brayden with a steely gaze, my Alpha aura asserting itself. "That's not your concern. I am the Alpha, and I will decide what's best for this pack. Now, I suggest you drop this matter and focus on your duties as Beta."

Brayden's jaw clenches, but he bows his head in submission, his voice tight with anger and disappointment. "Yes, Alpha."

As Brayden walks away, I feel the weight of my decisions bearing down on me. I know that I've put myself on a path that will surely lead to more heartache and strife. But I also know that it's a path I've chosen for her… for Aria, and I must now see it through to the end – whatever that may be.