“I told you not to ask me.”
“You can stay with my mom. At least I know where you are, and I won’t have to worry.”
“Your mom lives in Alpha Jacob’s territory. It’s not a good place for me.”
“I will never forgive myself if something happens to you. I don’t even know why I’m agreeing to this.”
I shook my head. “I’m okay. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing this my whole life. Maybe this is for the best. Perhaps we need some space to think about whether this bond is right for us.”
“Nadia…” Her shoulders shook as soft sobs escaped her throat. “I’m sorry, I can’t help you.
“You’ve done more than enough.” I let the tears flow this time. “And I’m happy that you were there for me. You are the best Gamma Female any Luna will be lucky to have. And I don’t even know how to say thank you for everything.”
We were holding on to each other’s hands, just letting our tears stream down our faces.
“I have to go now. Take care of yourself, and tell Gamma Sebastian and Beta Dominic I said thank you. And if you can all look after the Alpha.”
“He did you wrong, yet you continued to care for him.”
“You have a mate, Jenny. You understand, right?” I smiled weakly at her before pulling her in for another hug as I fought the new tears from falling.
I didn’t say anything more and just stepped out of her car, looking back at her one more time just to make sure she didn’t follow me.
And when I made sure that she couldn’t see me anymore, I made a different turn and headed for the taxi lane. I would go to the next city’s train station and choose another route.
It would be safer this way.
RILEY.
The day went by slowly. I didn’t know how I was able to finish everything I needed to do for today, but somehow I did.
I spent the whole day outside the packhouse, holing up instead in the office at the old building where all the cells were. I was trying to avoid Nadia.
The pain was still too much. And even if I missed her. I didn’t want to see her yet.
I needed time to think.
I hurried my steps toward the packhouse. It was already dinnertime. I missed all the meals for the day, including last night’s dinner, and my stomach was already complaining.
And even if I wasn’t readyto talk with my mate, I couldn’t deny that my walls were already crumbling down. I missed her.
The smell of dinner wafted in the air, and my feet turned in the direction of the dining room.
The room fell silent the moment I stepped in, and I could see my Beta’s eyes throwing daggers at me.
“Where’s Nadia?” I asked, ignoring the hostility in his eyes.
Silence.
I reached for the main dish and started placing it on my plate before I asked again.
“Where’s Nadia? Did someone tell her dinner is ready?”
“She left.” Jenny’s soft voice reached my ears, and my wolf woke up from his slumber.
My brow hiked up as I rested my fork back on my plate and looked at her. “What do you mean she left?”
Jenny took something out from her side pocket and slid it on the table, almost in front of me. “She wanted me to give this to you.”
