Chapter 4: Fractured Bonds
+ 5 Points
Chapter 4: Fractured Bonds
The lights were off. Mother assumed I was asleep.
She hadn’t expected me to overhear their discussion about giving up my mate, as if I were merely a placeholder in Selene’s shadow.
When I walked past her, calm but cold, her face stiffened with fear.
“I’m returning to the outpost,” I said flatly, ignoring the faint ache in my chest–the burn of betrayal that still lingered.
Mother exhaled sharply, realizing I wasn’t about to explode. Father gave a curt nod, his approval silent. Good. Less trouble for the pack.
1/5
Chapter 4: Fractured Bonds
+ 5 Points
Rafe, however, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at the duffel beside me.
“You’re taking your things? Are you really running away because we’re upset about what happened to Selene?”
“You think that little apology call makes it okay?”
Their guilt from earlier–so fleeting–had already been replaced by righteousness. It always shifted like that: a second of shame, then back to their cold duty.
“Your sister was hospitalized, Kiera,” Father growled. “An Added to the library roperly apologized.””
The air thickened, like wolves closing in on their prey. I could feel Veyla pacing within
2/5
Chapter 4: Fractured Bonds
+ 5 Points
me, her fur bristling, lips curling in warning.
Call her, Veyla urged. Let them hear her lies for themselves.
I took out my phone, dialed Sera’s number, and switched it to speaker.
She picked up quickly–her voice soft, syrupy, laced with smugness like a wolf who thought she’d won.
“Kiera? Oh. Is it because you found out Tristan is here with me? Are you angry?”
The silence that followed was immediate. Even Rafe flinched.
My parents exchanged a glance, the perfect image they had of Sera beginning to crack.
I didn’t react. I didn’t need to.
3/5
Chapter 4: Fractured Bonds
+ 5 Points
“It’s good he’s there,” I said, tone neutral. “You’ll need someone at your side.”
Sera hesitated. “Do you really mean that?”
“Of course,” I replied coolly. “I don’t know what caused your reaction, but I’m sorry. I apologize.”
A pause.
Then I ended the call.
My family stood still, shocked.
Perhaps because I had apologized without resistance.
Perhaps because I hadn’t played the dramatic, jealous wolf they expected.
4/5
Chapter 4: Fractured Bonds
+ 5 Points
“Now,” I said, lifting my duffel. “Am I allowed to leave?”
Their silence was answer enough.
I turned, my heart lighter for the first time in days, and walked out the door–no longer their dutiful omega.
Let them sit with their doubts.
Let Seraplay her little games.
I was done begging for scraps of affection from a pack that never truly wanted me.
5/5
