017.

Cassie.

“Over my dead body,” I hissed, my voice shaking but unyielding as I stared up at Axel.

For a split second, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a hard, unreadable expression. 

This was Axel—the alpha who had once held my world together, then shattered it beyond repair. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t imagined this moment a thousand times, meeting Axel. What I’d say to him, what he’d say to me. 

But never in my wildest dreams had I thought we’d meet like this: outside my workplace, him in a black crisp, three-piece suit, looking as if he hadn’t lost a single night of sleep in the years since I’d left. And worst of all, as my mate.

He studied me, those storm-gray eyes piercing through me like he could strip away every wall I’d built to protect myself since I left the Red Hollow pack. I wanted to flinch, to look away, but I held my ground.

“You don’t belong here, Cassie,” he said finally, his voice low but firm. “You’re a rogue now, and rogues aren’t safe.”

I let out a harsh laugh, shaking my head. “I wonder why. I wonder why rogues are not safe anymore.” 

Axel sucked in a breath but he said nothing.

“Your pack isn’t my home, Alpha. I have a life here—one that doesn’t include you or your council’s laws. I’m not going back, so don’t bother.”

His jaw tightened, the frown deepening across his brow. “You think you’re safe here?” he challenged. “You’re only fooling yourself. You know as well as I do that being rogue means constant danger. The only way to be truly safe is to come back to the pack and accept your place again.”

My nose flared.

“My place? As a wife you discarded? As a nanny for your future children? As a doormat you can use as you please?” I could feel the fury bubbling up inside me, making my hands shake. 

He wanted me to go back to the same pack that had taken everything from me. How was the same pack that had buried my son supposed to be my safety? It was unthinkable.

“Cassie…”

“No,” I spat. “I’ll take my chances.”

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out with a reluctant sigh. He glanced down at the screen, grimacing slightly. 

“I need to take this,” he muttered, holding up a finger to me as he took a few steps away.

I caught a few words as he spoke on the phone, “Outside Magnolia Hotel… held up… coming in now.”

Axel turned his back, his attention focused on his call, and I seized the opportunity. I stepped back, edging toward the corner, then turned and hurried down the street without looking back. 

I didn’t care if it looked suspicious, and I didn’t care if he’d come running after me. All I knew was that I had to get away.

My mind raced as I walked further away from the hotel, every nerve alert and on edge. There was no way I could go back to work now, not with Axel just on the other side of those glass doors. I dug my phone out of my pocket and called Eric, hoping he’d pick up right away.

“Hey, Eric, I’m so sorry,” I said breathlessly when he answered. 

“Cassie? Are you okay?” he asked, alarmed. I shook my head but when I realized he couldn’t see me, I decided to use my words. “I’m not. Something’s come up—a family emergency. I have to leave early. I’m really, really sorry.”

There was a long pause on the other end before he sighed, the irritation in his voice clear. “Cassie, this is the second time this month.”

“I know,” I said, my voice tightening with guilt. “I know, and I’ll work overtime to make it up. Cut it out of my pay if you have to.”

“Fine,” he relented, but I could hear the disappointment. “Just… don’t make this a habit, okay?”

“Thank you, Eric,” I breathed, ending the call before he could say more.

I hurried through the streets, ducking past people and trying not to look over my shoulder every two seconds. I’d made it this long without crossing paths with Axel. But seeing him again, hearing him talk about the pack like it was still a safe haven… it made me sick.

I hadn’t realized I went home on foot until I stood at the door of my apartment. I took out the spare key from under the doormat and opened it, letting myself in.

My apartment was a small studio apartment. It wasn’t much, but it was mine, a space I’d claimed for myself in a world that had done everything it could to strip me of what I loved.

With a heavy sigh, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto my bed. My mind swirled, a chaotic reel of memories and emotions that left me feeling like I was spinning. Seeing Axel after all this time… his presence alone had been enough to tear open old wounds I’d thought were buried.

It felt like no matter how far I ran, the past was always lurking around the corner, waiting for a moment to drag me back into that darkness. 

“I won’t allow it. Not now, not ever.”