Pain echoes through our bond. I press my hand to the doorframe to steady myself. A raw whimper rips free from my lips.
Ronan’s head snaps up. Shock registers in his eyes, then hardens into a cold, careful mask. He doesn’t pull away, still thrusting into Candice as sweat drips down his muscles.
Candice lifts her head, smirking when she spots me. No guilt. No regret. “Oh, darling,” she purrs, sliding a hand up Ronan’s chest.
My fingernails dig into the doorframe, splinters threatening beneath my skin as waves of agony pulse from my head to my heels, threatening to drown me.
“Why?” The word escapes like a wounded animal. My voice cracks on that single syllable, betraying the shattered belief beneath it.
Ronan pulls a sheet up to cover her hips, not meeting my eyes. “The mate bond was a mistake. My wolf...“ He shrugs as he continues thrusting, expression empty except for the flicker of annoyance at the interruption. “...chose wrong.”
“How is… this possible?” I whisper in disbelief at the scene I’m seeing with my own eyes.
“A little wolfbane tea,” he says, his fingers tracing lazy circles on Candice’s thigh as he shifts his weight against her. “Helps quiet the... disagreements.” His hips roll forward, drawing a soft gasp from her.
“A mistake?” I manage, breath catching. “Six months of promises. You swore...”
“But I can’t pretend anymore,” he interrupts. “Candy and I… this is real.” His words struck me one by one, each a separate knife slicing my heart and soul. His gaze locked onto Candice as if I’d already faded from existence.
Candice sits up, draping Ronan’s discarded shirt across her shoulders. Her smile is triumphant. She blinks at me with wide, glassy eyes. “We love each other, Selena.”
Her voice softens to a theatrical innocent whisper as she strokes Ronan’s arm. “The pack needs strong pups when he becomes Alpha. I’m only doing what’s best for everyone… best for you too, really.” A single tear tracks down her cheek.
“Try to understand?” Ronan wraps her in his arms to comfort her, hugging her to him protectively. “Candy, you’re so kind and innocent. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Candice looks to meet my eyes, her eyes red as she says, “Fate isn’t always fair, Sel.” For just a heartbeat, her mask slips, a flash of triumph in her eyes.
I have no one. No parents. No siblings. No best friend. No pack.
And worst of all… the one person created for me, the other half of my soul… doesn’t want me.
My knees buckle. Strong arms catch me. The familiar scent of pine and smoked leather steadies me. Rylan picks me up bridal style, his arms strong and safe, keeping me from the floor.
“That’s enough,” he growls. His voice rumbles like distant thunder. He glares at Ronan. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Ronan’s jaw tightens. “Stay out of it, Ry.”
Rylan’s eyes flash amber, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “The Moon Goddess blessed you… with a mate bond… and this… is how you honor her gift?”
His arms tighten around me protectively. “You were blessed, brother. Blessed.”
I should flee, hide this humiliation, but I can’t look away. My vision blurs as tears well up, hot and unstoppable.
A double betrayal.
My mate. My only friend.
My vision blurs as wet, hot trails of grief carve paths down my face.
My throat closes around a sob I refuse to release in front of them. I wrap my arms around myself, fingers digging into my sides, desperate to hold myself together.
My throat tightens until I can only let out a keening cry, half-sob.
Candice’s face suddenly crumples, tears welling in her eyes. “I never meant to hurt anyone,” she whimpers. Ronan cradles her face, pressinghis lips to her forehead. “Shh, it’s not your fault,” he murmurs against her skin.
The room tilts. Black spots bloom across my vision as the mate-bond tears completely. I feel myself falling, Rylan’s arms tightening around me.
“Selena! Stay with me!” His voice sounds distant, underwater. My body jostles with each of his running steps, his heartbeat thundering against my cheek as consciousness slips away. Then darkness.
