Chapter 7 Running from the Past
Nevea
My heart pounded with every step I took. I needed to escape. I needed to outrun Kai. I couldn’t handle the pain or betrayal without breaking down.
“Nevea! Wait!” Kai called as he chased after me.
My legs burned, but I pushed myself harder. I just needed space. I needed time to think without Kai, pulling me back into the same cycle of promises and
disappointments. But I could hear his footsteps growing closer.
“Damn, Kai! Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I muttered to myself.
After three steps, a strong hand grabbed my arm and yanked me back with force. I stumbled, nearly falling, but before I could hit the ground, Kai‘ s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his chest. Hist
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breath was hot on my neck, and his grip was tight and firm.
“Nevea, stop. Please, just stop running,” Kai pleaded but sounded almost about to run out of patience.
“Let go of me, Kai!” I shouted and struggled against him.
But Kai held, so I pushed at his chest and tried to break free. He was stronger, so it was useless.
“I’m not letting you go until you talk to me,” he insisted.
Kai was not going to let go. My chest. heaved as I stopped fighting. It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally, and useless against his strength.
“What do you want from me? What else is there to say, Kai?” I asked, my voice. breaking with the weight of my frustration.
He loosened his grip just enough for me to
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turn around and face him, but his hands still held me. His eyes searched mine with desperation.
“I just want you to listen. We need to talk.”
I scoffed and shook my head.
“Talk about what? How do you keep choosing her over me? How I’ve been. waiting for you to prioritize me, and you never do?”
Kai‘ s jaw clenched, and guilt washed all over his face. But instead of letting it soften me, it made me angrier.
“You canceled our mating ceremony, Kai. You chose Claire again.”
“It wasn’t about choosing Claire,” he said quickly and tightened his grip on my
arms.
“She’s part of the pack, Nevea. She got hurt, and as Alpha, I had to take care of her.”
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“You didn’t have to cancel our ceremony,” I shot back, my voice sharp.
“You didn’t even tell me yourself. You sent a text. A text, Kai! After five years together, that’s all I got.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but I wasn’t finished.
“Do you know how humiliating that was? Do you know how many times I’ve had to stand by and watch while you rush off to her and make her your priority? What about me, Kai? When am I ever going to come first?”
Kai’s face went pale, and for a moment, he looked like he had no idea what to say. That silence and hesitation were everything I needed to know. I stepped back and pulled away from his grasp.
“You always have an excuse. Being Alpha, taking care of the pack, Claire‘ s fake injuries. But you know what? I’m done waiting for you to put me first. I’m done,
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Kai.”
Those words were so heavy and final that they hung the air between us. For the first time, I felt I had taken control and chosen myself. But that didn’t make it any less painful.
Kai‘ s face crumpled, he stepped forward and desperately whispered, “Nevea, don‘ t do this. Please. Let’s not make my responsibilities an issue between us. I can’t choose between the two. Just give me a chance to make it up to you.”
I shook my head as tears fell.
“You still don’t get it. But you know what I’ve given you enough chances, Kai. I‘ ve waited long enough.”
There was silence again between us, and it was thick and suffocating. Kai reached for me again, but I stepped back and shook my head.
“I need to go, I whispered, walking away
before he could see how broken I felt.
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As I walked away, the weight of my decision pressed down like a boulder on my chest. Every step felt heavier than the last, and I almost wondered if I had made a mistake. Did I not give Kai enough chance to explain and make it up to me? Was I rushing things because of how hurt I was? These and other questions run through my head.
But deep down, I knew I made the most. rational decision. I had waited long enough for Kai to choose me and be one of his priorities. But he never would. And I couldn’t keep sacrificing my happiness for someone who couldn’t see my worth.
When I finally reached my apartment, I collapsed onto the couch and buried my face in my hand. The sobs immediately came, and I couldn’t control them. I had been telling myself that it was all for the best to walk away from the man I had loved, and I thought I could handle my emotions, but I think I was just fooling myself.
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Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I reached for it and was expecting a message from Kai. I had forgotten to block his other number. I had to remember to do that. But
surprisingly, it was Ivar.
“Nevea, don’t be too hard on him. He’s trying. You were supposed to lessen his burdens.”
“Ha! Lessen his burdens, my ass!” I hissed.
I was about to block Kai’s other number
when the group chat buzzed again. Ast expected, Claire was getting sympathy and approval from the pack members. She sent a picture of her sitting beside Kai as they ate at Oriental Restaurant. Her arms clung to his as they smiled.
“Alpha Kai, you always made me feel the most important person.”
“Congratulations,” I commented and set the group to mute until I decided to change it.
Then, the phone rang, it was Kai, but I ignored and blocked him.
