8/8
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
I made my rejection clear.
But it didn’t matter.
They came anyway.
I returned from patrol, boots still caked in dust and ash, only to find them waiting outside the Outpost gates–four shadows I had no use for anymore: my father, my mother, Rafe… and Tristan.
The Ashveil Pack’s core.
They lit up like they’d found something they’d lost.
“Kiera! You’re back!”
1/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
Tristan stepped forward first, before Rafe could block him.
“Long time no see,” he said softly.
He looked wrecked. Bloodshot eyes. Shaky hands. The kind of desperation that used to stir something in me.
Now, it just made me tired.
“We’re over,” I said flatly. “Why are you here?”
His mouth twitched, trying to hold something in.
“I didn’t agree to that. It was just a fight.”
“I don’t need your permission to leave.”
I didn’t raise my voice. The truth was enough.
2/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
When I looked past him to the others, I saw them flinch–small reactions, but they were there.
“I heard what you said that day,” I added.
My mother looked away. My father’s jaw clenched. Even Rafe didn’t meet my eyes.
“Tristan was never meant for me, I went on. “He loved Sera from the start. But his bloodline wasn’t good enough for her. So you gave him me instead. I was a placeholder. A distraction. A Luna decoy.”
“That’s not-” my mother tried, but even she didn’t sound convinced.
“We didn’t know-” Rafe muttered. I didn’t need to hear the rest.
3/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
Tristan’s voice cracked next.
“Yes, I liked Sera before–but that changed! We were bonded. Of course I cared for you!”
I nodded once.
And his eyes lit up.
Until I said,
“But you didn’t show up for our mating ceromony. That was your last chance. There won’t be another.”
“There can be another! I already ordered your new bonding robes–same maker, your favorite fabric. The ceremony can be redone. It can be better!”
He reached for me, hands desperate.
4/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
“Please, Kiera. I never stopped caring. I just… didn’t think you’d really leave. I was stupid. I was scared.”
His touch was warm. Familiar. Once, I would’ve leaned into it.
Now, it only reminded me how much colder he’d made me feel.
“You say you love me,” I said.
“But love doesn’t use someone to patch up a broken past.”
“Love isn’t guilt. It’s not obligation. You leaned on my loyalty like it owed you something.”
“You knew what I wanted. I wanted to be chosen.”
5/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
“I wanted someone who would choose me- even if no one else did.”
I stepped back. His hands dropped.
His body curled inward like I’d taken something vital.
I didn’t reach out.
He wasn’t my mate anymore.
And I wasn’t his shield.
I turned to go-
Only to be blocked by the rest of them.
Right. The rest of the story.
I crossed my arms.
6/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
“He came here for redemption. What about you three?”
My father cleared his throat. Looked down at the cracked earth.
“After reading your journal… we realized the pain you went through.”
He tried to explain.
About Sera’s childhood illness. About how they’d poured all their care into her, out of fear.
He said they didn’t know how to love me once I came back.
Said they hadn’t seen what Sera was doing.
My mother spoke next, barely above a
whisper.
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Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+ 5 Points
“The allergic reaction wasn’t your fault… it was the peanuts. I accused you. I… hit you. I’m sorry. Did it… hurt?”
Her voice cracked like she was the one who’d been wounded.
Once, I would’ve dreamed of this.
Them admitting it. Seeing me. Saying the things I needed to hear.
But now?
It was too late.
I wasn’t that girl anymore.
Not the one waiting by the door for someone to pick her.
8/10
Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+5 Points
Their faces fell when I didn’t answer.
My mother looked like she might cry. My father tried again. Rafe hovered like he didn’t know where to stand.
But I was done carrying their shame for them.
“Are you done?” I asked.
“Kiera, don’t be like this-” Rafe started.
“Don’t waste my time, I cut in. “I’ve got better things to do than hand out forgiveness just because you feel guilty now.”
“This isn’t a waste of time!” Rafe snapped. “We came all this way to apologize!”
I looked at him. Really looked.
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Chapter 7: No Longer Yours
+5 Points
Rafe.
My golden–eyed brother. Once my favorite person in the world.
“You want to know why it’s like this?” I said. My voice stayed even.
“Because I used to love you all too much.”
Then I turned and walked away.
They didn’t follow.
10/10
