chapter 10

In the end, Ethan found his old journal.

When he opened it, every page was filled with notes about Audrey—her habits, her favorites, little details only someone who paid close attention would know.

"1. Audrey's stomach is sensitive, so spicy food is a no-go. I need to learn a year's worth of recipes that are gentle on her stomach.

"2. Audrey gets scared during storms and never remembers to bring an umbrella. I need to show up before the rain.

"3. Audrey loves cherries. I'll grow an orchard full of them behind the house.

"4. Audrey hates being alone. No matter what, if she turns around, I need to be there."

...

Ethan read through each one, his voice low. When he reached the end, he gave a small laugh. "Chasing after you was exhausting, Audrey. But I don't regret it."

For a moment, Audrey just stared at him.

He really had done all that. If she hadn't heard him say it out loud, she might've thought none of it had ever been real. But deep down, she knew that none of it was for her. He was thinking of someone else, even when he looked at her.

Still, Ethan didn't notice her silence. He pulled her into his arms again, holding her close. "We're finally gonna be mates. So ... after today, you'll be mine for real."

Audrey shook her head.

I won't, not after everything. He lost that chance the moment he chose to lie.

Right then, the Beta came in. "Tradition says you can't see each other after midnight until the ceremony starts. Alpha, you should get some rest."

Ethan didn't move. He was still clinging to her. "I want to stay with her."

The Beta looked a little uncomfortable. "Alpha ... "

Then Ethan's communicator started buzzing.

He glanced at the screen, hesitated, then let go of Audrey and stepped out to answer.

Whatever he heard changed his whole mood. When he came back, he gave her a soft hug and whispered, "See you tomorrow."

Audrey knew the reason he left; it wasn't because of the Beta.

It was that call. It was Lucy.

Audrey didn't try to stop Ethan. She just watched quietly as he walked out through the Moonshade Villa's gates.

Once he was gone, she began moving the packed boxes out to the front yard.

All the gifts Ethan had ever given her—the wolf fang pendant, love notes carved into trees, pieces of fur that carried his scent—every bit of it felt like it was stuck to her like a curse.

There was the old journal he'd written in for three years. The cover was faded and the corners bent, worn with time.

Every page was packed with words.

At one time, those words had made her believe in him. They had made her forgive him over and over, despite all the lies and broken promises.

Now, they just left a bitter taste.

Her fingers stopped on a sentence that read,

"No matter what, if she turns around, I need to be there."

Audrey gave a faint smile, eyes stinging.

Earlier, she had asked the Omega to set up a fire pit in the garden. The Omega didn't ask questions and just did as she was told.

Now, she dropped everything into the flames—the pendant, the fur, the journal.

As the fire grew, pictures burned up too. Photos of her and Ethan kissing under snowy skies, her passed out in the car after a long hunt, both of them looking tired but happy ...

She looked at the journal one last time, then let it fall into the fire.

As the final image disappeared into ash, she let out a soft smile.

The past she had with Ethan was all gone now.

The clock struck midnight, the sound echoing through the villa like a bell marking the end of something sacred.

The bond-severing potion had finished its work.

Far away, Ethan was with Lucy at the werewolf hospital.

"Thank you, Ethan ... " Lucy leaned on him, her voice barely a whisper. "Ever since the snakebite, I've been burning up all the time. I hope I'm not bothering you or Audrey. Especially not with the ceremony happening tomorrow."

"Don't say that." Ethan's voice was gentle. "You're sick. Taking care of you is the least I can do. You already know why I'm bonding with Audrey. After tomorrow, you and Jason won't have to worry anymore."

He looked at Lucy, but for some reason, all he could picture was Audrey's face.

An odd emptiness crept into his chest, like something vital was slipping through his fingers.

Then, out of nowhere, pain slammed into him. His face went pale. Cold sweat dripped down the side of his face. His legs gave out, and he dropped to the floor.

"Ethan! What's happening?!" Lucy panicked and reached out to steady him.

He couldn't see or hear anything anymore. The pain drowned everything out.

And in that crushing, sharp ache deep in his chest, he finally understood—the mate bond between him and Audrey was completely gone.