Rejected, And Became A Heiress (Cara)

It's never enough, I think. While I don't enjoy listening to a roomful of people bashing my Beta, I can't deny that I haven't been harboring these same exact thoughts about Cara.

On any other day, I might have stopped this gossiping. I might have told the nobles to hush and mind their own business. I might have even punished them for their words.

After all, speaking like this was exactly why I exiled George. But this isn't just one insubordinate Gamma talking. This is the entirety of the pack nobles and elders gathered together in a public setting. All agreeing that Cara is a low-born gold digger.

A good Alpha King should put an end to this talk.

But I don't

My mind is racing between all the turmoil of the last several weeks.

Lilia, and Cara, and George, and Grey, and all the other million roblems that I have to deal with in a single day as Alpha King of a large pack. Chapter 18

I breathe deeply, trying to clear my head and focus.

But as my mind stills, all I can hear is Cara's voice that time in t father's office, pleading, begging for more money.

...She never loved ine.

This affair, it's an incorrect one. It should end.

"They used to be Fate Mates, did you know that?" Lilia says to the crowd of nobles. She says 'Fate Mates with a babyish, mocking voice.

The group is noticeably shocked.

"He rejected her, OBVIOUSLY," she says with a laugh, but then turns to eye me closely. "But I think there's still something- there. A residougal... a resumable.." She trails off, trying to find the right word, her mind fuzzy with drink. "Residual?" A noble offers.

"RESIDUAL! That's what I said!" Lilia yells. "A residual mate bond, is that possible?" She looks to the elders, a new sparkle in her eye.

An elder speaks up. "It is possible for traces of a very strong mate bond to remain intact after rejection... but the mark of a new mate should sever that entirely."

Lilia cheers with glee. "Oh Alaric, did you hear that?! This is wonderful! You just have to mark me as your new mate, then we can finally be rid of Cara!" Lilla's eyes are brimming with happiness.

I look around and see the expectant support from the circle of nobles and elders.

My head has been spinning with thoughts of Cara, and I know that's distracted me from my work, from my pack. From my

fiancée.

My fiancee who's brother is a very strong and influential ally Alpha King. Severing the bond with Cara once and for all would certainly help me.

And it would help the pack.

This is what I have to do. For the good of Pack DarkWood.

Do the right thing-, as I have always done ruling Pack DarkWood

Finally, after a long silence. I look back at Lilia's drunken face.

...I'll do it." I hear myself say firmly.

Cara

Even though I couldn't have sex with him, Alaric still stopped by the apartment frequently to see me. To kiss me. To touch

I didn't want to give in. I didn't want to let him close to me. But when I finally did my pregnancy symptome suddenly disappeared.

No more nausea, no more dizziness or headaches. When he was close to me, I felt better. Perhaps because we once had a mate bond.

It almost seemed like the closeness made him feel better too. He looked more relaxed, more comfortable. We were so nice to each other again, one could even call it warm.

7

Chapter 18

"Il come see you after work, tomorrow," he said yesterday, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

"But that's when the nobles are having that party, remember? 1idn't want him to shirk his Alpha King responsibilities.

"Lucky for me, as King Lean refuse any invitation I want. And it my bountiful Beta's birthday." He winked at me, playing our little alliteration game. "I'll be here, I promise."

So here I am, staring at the door, at the clock, at my phone, I'm one on my birthday, waiting for a man.

I know our relationship has been rocky at best, but he promised And Alaric always keeps his promises. It's one of the reasons I fell in love with him....

I turn on the TV, desperate to distract myself

"Latest news tonight just in: The Alpha King of Pack DarkWood as publicly marked his bride Lilia Auburn..."

The sound of Lucy's howl ringing in my head blocks out the rest of the report.

0

"It's. It's gone." Lucy's voice is in my head.

She sounds devastated. She sounds broken.

"I know," I reply to her softly. I can feel it.

Whatever was left of the mate bond between Alaric and I... it's completely and utterly gone.

I look down at the birthday cake I pathetically bought for myselwhile I waited for Alaric, Waited for him to show up. Waited for him to care about me.

"Our mate. I can't believe it's really gone now. The sad sound of Lucy's voice was almost too much for me to bear.

I'm such a fool

I'm a fool with an empty heart.

It's like my chest has been fully hollowed out. There's no warmth no joy. Just cold.

I've said it so many times already but this time has to be the last keep disappointing myself, keep getting drawn back in.

But this time I refuse. This time I need to leave Pack DarkWood, For good.

Alaric never came to see me that night. Or the nights after that, either.

I worked harder than ever at wedding planning. The quicker I was done with this, hopefully the quicker I could find a way

Luck was on my side when I realized my best opportunity to escape.

During the wedding, everyone would be distracted. It would be the perfect chance to slip out unnoticed.

I once again pack my belongings from the apartment. This time goes much faster, I had barely unpacked from my last attempt to leave. I may have to stay here for a bit longer, but I want everything to be ready to go.