“These bracelets are common,” I replied calmly. “If you like it, I can give you this one.”
There is no sense in wearing this bracelet anymore. I am my own person, my pack, and a mateless Luna.
Fiona didn’t respond, her eyes narrowing slightly. The tension in the room thickened, but I felt nothing but a sense of finality. This was the last time I’d let them both play their little games.
I strode out of the packhouse, feeling the cool night air hit my face, and without a second thought, I ripped off the bracelet I’d worn for seven years. The symbol of a connection that had once meant everything was now worthless—a mere token of a bond long shattered. I tossed it into the nearest trash bin, its clink echoing in the hollow silence.
The next day, there was a pack meeting held in a provincial area of our territory. Ethan told me to come with him because it was mandatory for Luna to come with her Alpha.
As I waited for the elevator to arrive, my phone buzzed in my pocket. The name “Mom” flashed on the screen.
"Skylar, did you get your ticket home yet?" Her voice was steady, but I could hear the underlying concern.
"Not yet," I lied, glancing at the floor numbers descending on the panel. "I'll book it in a few days."
Before I could hang up, I felt him. The familiar presence, the quiet command. Ethan's voice, cool and measured, echoed behind me.
"You're booking a ticket?" He sounded confused, maybe even surprised.
I ended the call swiftly and turned to face him, masking my emotions. "Yeah, there's this place I’ve been meaning to try," I said, spinning a tale as naturally as I breathed. "Super popular. You have to reserve your way in advance to get a table."
Ethan eyed me but didn’t push further. With a nod, he grabbed my arm, leading me out into the night. We walked in silence, heading toward a nearby hotel. He checked us into a suite, the usual routine. He quickly got to work, his fingers flying across the keyboard of his laptop. The only sounds in the room were the hum of electronics and our synchronized breathing.
Despite the tension that had crept between us, we worked like clockwork, waiting for some clients overseas to get back to us. But eventually, fatigue overtook me, and I drifted off to sleep.
When I awoke the next morning, I was surprised to find myself tucked into bed. Ethan sat beside me, his eyes scanning the financial section of the paper, calm and composed.