“Charlotte! Where are you? I made soup for you and Derrick. I stopped by the house, but you weren’t there,” her voice was warm, filled with love and concern, blissfully unaware of the turmoil roiling beneath the surface.
I forced a smile, keeping my voice steady. “Oh, we’re just… out for a bit. Derrick insisted we get some fresh air.”
Her laughter came through the line, comforting yet bittersweet. “That Derrick… always so thoughtful. Make sure he takes care of you, okay? And don’t stay out too long; it’s getting chilly.”
Her words reminded me of everything I’d lost, the love I thought I’d had. My chest tightened, and I bit my lip, fighting to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be careful.”
“Good, sweetheart. Let me know if you need anything, alright? Love you.”
As I ended the call, gripping my phone tightly, the warmth of my mother’s voice faded, leaving me alone with the flood of emotions I’d been holding back. I wanted to scream, to shatter the quiet despair that surrounded me. But I couldn’t. My father is , bound by pride, and I was the mother to an unborn child who needed my strength.
Slowly, I turned, stepping out into the rain, each step steady and deliberate. I didn’t need Derrick anymore; he’d made his choice, and now I was making mine. He was no longer my mate, no longer the man I would share my life with.
As I walked toward the edge of our territory, I felt a new resolve take root within me. I was not a woman scorned; I was a warrior carrying the legacy of my bloodline. I would build a new life, a future untethered to his lies, one where my child would know the strength and honor of their heritage.
With one final glance back at the hospital, I whispered to myself, “This is the end, Derrick. You’re hers now.”
The message from Derrick arrived as expected, hollow and practiced: "Hey, Charlotte, I’ll be working late tonight. It’s a bit chilly, so don’t forget to close the windows. Love you always, your mate."
I stared at the words, feeling nothing. There was a time I would have worried, stayed up, and waited for him to come home. But those days were gone. Now, I merely closed my phone, indifferent. Derrick was part of the past I had already left behind. Today, I was ready to sever our bond for good.