Meanwhile, Kathryn lounged in her chair, sipping her drink with this calm, judgmental stare – like she was watching a train wreck she’d seen coming a mile away.
After a long silence, she abruptly placed her cup down with a sharp clink. “Deanna, what were you thinking? I tried to discuss the bond, and you dragged Jake away!”
Her voice grew sharper with each word. “Then, when I was about to toss that Dualborn out, you pulled that stunt – actually making her jump into the pool? Seriously? That’s the kind of foolishness even kids would mock! If you wanted her gone so badly, you should’ve just launched her into the sky. Instead, she’s still here, and you’ve dragged Jake away like that fixes anything!”
Philip pointed a finger at me like I was five. “Tomorrow, you’re apologizing to Jake!”
I poured myself a drink, gave it a lazy swirl, and knocked it back in one go. My voice didn’t even shake. “Not happening.”
I was done, completely done.
Even if Jake stepped in tonight, what did it matter? The second Peggie needed him, he’d toss me aside like always.
Fine. I was done playing the fool.
I put the glass down, picked up my phone, and sent the message that ended it. ‘We’re done. Engagement’s off.’
Then I shut every door he could use to reach me.
My voice stayed cool as I turned to my parents. “Dad, Mom, I’m done with Jake. I’m not chaining myself to him.”
Philip’s face went red. “You’re engaged! One step away from sealing it, and you think you can just walk out? What about our Mistbane Pack’s reputation?”
“This is my life!” I shot back.
He stood his ground. His roar echoed through the walls. “Deanna, listen well! You’re the heiress of this pack. Your marriage isn’t about you – it’s about our future!”
I scoffed. “Spare me. You dote on Jillian. She gets your love, your money, everything. So, tell me, why should I burn my future for a family that’s already chosen her?”
Philip’s fist smashed the table, glasses rattling. “Ungrateful girl! You think this is your call? Unless you bring home a better mate than Jake, you’re marrying him – whether you like it or not!”
I held his stare. “If I do… you’ll keep your hands out of it?”
Philip smirked. “Go ahead and try. If you do, I’ll eat my words.”
Fine. Challenge accepted. I didn’t say it out loud, but I swore it in my head.
…
Jake’s POV:
I drove Peggie straight to the hospital.
While she was being checked in, her doctor, Jorge Gilbert, cornered me in the hallway. “Jake, you know how fragile Peggie is. What the hell were you thinking, letting her near the pool? She could’ve drowned!”
Deanna’s message, ‘We’re done now,’ kept flashing in my mind like a d*mn neon sign. I couldn’t shake it off.
Oh, so now this is on me? Wonderful.
“Maybe start by doing your job,” I bit out. “You’re her doctor, and I pay you enough to do it.”
Jorge’s expression softened, like he pitied me. “Jake, you know you’re the only thing keeping her holding on.”
I gave him a cold look. “Know your place, Jorge. If you can’t stay professional, get out.”
I left it at that and went back to Peggie’s room.
She was curled up against the pillows, pale but forcing a faint smile when her eyes met mine. “Jake… did I mess things up for you again?”
I stood there, holding my expression steady. “You shouldn’t have come.”
Her voice trembled. “I just wanted to make things right, I – “
“I’m signing the bond with Deanna,” I cut in.
Her smile cracked, and her eyes dimmed. “So… that’s it? You’re really done with me?”
A dull headache was beginning to set in, but I kept my tone even. “I’m not abandoning you, Peggie. I’m just helping you get your last wish. After that… you’ll need to start fresh.”
Her hands trembled. Then came the coughing – deep, raw, and painful – until she was clutching her chest.
Jorge burst in, shoving past me.
…
Thirty minutes later, he stepped out. “Good news – a matching heart has been found. If all goes well, she’ll undergo the transplant next month. Until then, she needs absolute calm. No stress or drama. Otherwise, she won’t survive it.”
He hesitated before adding, “Jake, Deanna pushed Peggie tonight. She’s dangerous for her. You can’t let this slide.”
I didn’t respond. I just stared past him. “Focus on keeping her alive. Text me if anything changes.”
…
Peggie’s POV:
The door clicked shut behind Jake.
Jorge sighed as he sat by the bed. “Alright. He’s gone. You can stop the act now. Really, Peggie, jumping into the pool simply because Deanna told you to? What were you thinking? You could’ve killed yourself.”
I opened my eyes slowly, my voice quiet but sharp. “Jorge, I can’t let him leave me.”
He frowned, like he’d heard this a hundred times.
Peggie, you’re impossible. Jake and Deanna will sign that bond eventually. Why put yourself through this?
I shook my head. “No… I just can’t. Deanna cherished him for five years, and I’ve loved him for seven. I’ve fought for him more and longer than anyone. Why am I the one to walk away, simply because she was born a pureborn and I wasn’t?”
My hands clenched into fists. My voice cracked with anger. “I’ve held on this long. I’m not losing him to her. Not ever.”
Erik’s POV:
The bar was packed and loud enough to rattle the windows, but I couldn’t care less. I sank deeper into the couch, scrolling through my phone like a zombie. Then a headline jumped out at me.
Mistbane Pack. Oh, this should be interesting.
I tapped it open. Sure enough – Peggie dripping wet, Jake playing the hero, and Deanna? Dumped in front of everybody again.
The comment section? Absolute carnage.
I let out a low whistle and turned to the guy next to me.
Luis was parked beside me, resembling a king unwilling to claim his throne. One arm hung over the backrest, a cigarette held loosely between his fingers, his eyes slowly scanning the crowd on the dance floor. He didn’t appear bored; he simply seemed detached.
I smirked. “Hey, want to see something fun?”
He didn’t even blink. “If this is more of your trash gossip, spare me.”
“Oh, it’s gossip,” I shot back. “Just happens to be about your little one-night special.”
That got him.
His head tilted slightly, lazy wolf eyes sharpening.
Before I could blink, he snuffed out his cigarette, grabbed my phone, and hit play.
Ten seconds in, his jaw tightened. He tossed my phone onto the table like it was toxic, yanked his jacket off the couch, and stalked out without a single word.
I stared after him.
Seriously? Ten seconds and you’re gone?
Okay, Deanna is gorgeous. Nobody is denying that.
Still, she’s Jake’s fiancee. An Omega, no less. You don’t mess with that unless you’ve got a death wish.
I almost felt bad for the Mooncrown elders. They’d spent years urging Luis to bond with his mate, and now? The guy was chasing someone else’s Luna. Either he was losing his mind, or he was completely serious.
…
Deanna’s POV:
My agreement with Dad was simple. If I could find a mate stronger than Jake, he’d drop this ridiculous marriage.
He agreed before I even finished the sentence. Probably because, realistically, only one man could outdo Jake: Luis, the pureborn Alpha of the Mooncrown Pack.
Still, too bad Luis never gave me a reason to hope. One night. One mistake. That didn’t mean a thing… right?
I slogged back to my apartment, shoulders heavy, mood worse. Then I saw him.
He stood at the far end of the street, appearing as if he had been sculpted from shadow and moonlight. Even from afar, that
Alpha presence was unmistakable.
I stopped dead in my tracks. What is he doing here? Is he here for me?
The street was empty, with only the two of us there.
I swallowed hard and forced my feet to move, one cautious step at a time.
He was dressed as he always was – simple, sharp, maddeningly perfect. A gray shirt with an open collar just enough to hint at, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His arms appeared sculpted from stone, with veins running down like subtle lightning strikes.
I swallowed hard. “Hey, why are you here?”
His gaze held mine. He didn’t answer but reached into his pocket, pulling out something that hit me square in the chest.
My bracelet.
The pale-gold Lunaris Stone shimmered under the streetlight, warm and familiar, as if it had been waiting for me. It still carried my grandma’s scent – the last gift she gave before
I went back to Mistbane Pack. I hadn’t even realized it was gone until now.
He said casually, “You left this at my place.”
“Thanks for returning it.” My voice sounded softer than I intended.
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