Chapter 18
“Jonah, since Greta is out of the way, it’s time to bring Janelle into the pack for real, his father, Felix, said matter–of–factly.
“Greta was useless anyway. Keeping her around would have only brought bad luck,” his mother, Melody, added without a hint of
remorse.
Felix nodded in agreement. “Find a time to finalize the mating bond. It’s been years since the Bloodfang Pack had a union this grand. Once it’s done, I’ll have the Omegas clear out Greta’s room. Naomi can take her place instead.”
Jonah stood there, stunned, staring at his parents‘ pleased expressions. For the first time, he felt sick to his stomach.
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Chapter 18
“What do you mean by ‘finalize the bond“?” His voice was sharp. “Didn’t Naomi mate with someone else abroad?”
Melody let out a chuckle, shaking her head. “Oh, Jonah. If we hadn’t told you that, would you have ever believed us?” She sighed, as if he was the one being difficult. “Naomi did it for the pack. She ruined her own reputation just so Janelle could stay with us. But you-” she gave him a pointed look “-you insisted on clinging to Greta, so we had no choice.
Now that the cripple is gone, everything has worked out for the best. Janelle doesn’t have to pretend anymore. You and Naomi can be a real family again. She only left because she had to. We never blamed her.”
Jonah felt like he had been punched in the gut. His parents‘ smug expressions made his skin crawl. His mind raced back to all
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the times he had questioned Naomi about her so–called mate. She always dodged the topic, never sharing how they met, never mentioning anything about their life together.
And now it made sense.
There was no mate. No trace of him in any pack records. No stories. No proof.
It was all a lie, and he had fallen for it.
In his desperation to bring Janelle home, he had destroyed the woman who was supposed to be his Luna.
Greta had no family here. No friends. The only reason she had stayed in Bloodfang territory was for him.
And he had thrown her away.
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He had promised to be her protector, her mate. To never betray her.
And yet, he had done exactly that.
Guilt and regret crashed over him, twisting inside his chest like a blade.
Jonah’s voice was cold and firm. “My mate is Greta. Alive or dead, she’s the only one I’ll ever recognize. I don’t care if Naomi is single, mated, or whatever–she means nothing to me.”
His jaw tightened. “That night with her three years ago was a mistake. If I had known Janelle would be born, I never would have let it happen.”
He shot his parents a hard look. “Since this ceremony was your idea, you can deal with the mess yourselves. As for me, I’m going to
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find Greta–even if it kills me.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Before he could leave the hall, Naomi came running up, holding Janelle in her arms, panic written all over her face. “Jonah! Janelle broke a cup and cut her arm! She’s bleeding!” Her voice wavered. “Please, take her to the healer first!”
Blood dripped down Janelle’s small arm, staining her sleeve.
Jonah’s communicator buzzed.
His Beta.
He didn’t even slow down. As he walked past Naomi, he left her with a single sentence.
“Take a taxi. From now on, leave the pup with
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my parents!”
Then he stepped outside and answered the
call.
“Did
you find Greta?” His voice was tight, urgent.
The Beta sighed. “Alpha, I’ve checked everywhere. The only thing I found is that she stayed in a guest lodge two nights before she disappeared. Her flight records are the last trace of her. You might want to check with the rescue team… It’s been a while now. If-”
Jonah ended the call before the Beta could finish.
He refused to accept it.
