Through the windows, I could see him at a corner table with Marcus, Jake, and Tommy from his inner circle.
I slipped inside and chose a booth near the back, hidden behind a decorative pillar. The lighting was dim enough that they wouldn’t notice me unless they actively looked.
Darrell lit a cigarette, his face tense in the flickering flame.
“So Camila’s really coming back?” Marcus leaned forward.
My stomach dropped.
“Yeah.” Darrell took a long drag. “Her flight lands in two hours.”
“What about Sable?” Jake asked.
Darrell’s expression didn’t change. “What about her?”
The casual dismissal in his tone cut deeper than any knife could.
“Dude, you’ve been with her for three years,” Tommy said. “You can’t just-“
“She was always temporary.” Darrell flicked ash into the tray. “I never promised her forever.”
“Right, because she’s just the replacement,” Marcus laughed. “You found her because she looks like Camila.”
“The resemblance is what caught my attention.” Darrell’s voice remained completely flat. “I’ve been looking for pieces of Camila in her this whole time.”
My vision blurred. Each word tore away another piece of the fantasy I’d been living.
“So she’s basically been a placeholder,” Jake said. “Poor thing probably thinks you’re in love with her.”
“Sable’s useful,” Darrell shrugged. “She’s obedient, never complains, great in bed. Since she moved in, I don’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning.”
The men laughed, and the sound made my skin crawl.
“Jesus, you turned her into a live-in maid with benefits,” Tommy chuckled.
“Pretty much. She handles all the domestic stuff, and when I need to blow off steam…” Darrell made a crude gesture that sent the table into another round of laughter.
“What happens when Camila wants you to choose?” Marcus asked.
“Sable won’t be a problem. She’s got nowhere else to go.” Darrell stubbed out his cigarette. “And let’s face it – female wolves are practical creatures. She won’t walk away from the lifestyle I provide.”
“True. She’s probably too attached to the money and comfort to leave,” Jake nodded. “These girls always are.”
“Besides, she’s so fvcking devoted,” Tommy added. “Buy her some flowers, apologize for being distant, and she’ll forgive anything. That type is easy to control.”
Darrell stood and threw some bills on the table. “I should head to the airport soon. Don’t want to be late.”
“Good luck, man. Hope the reunion goes well.”
“I already know what I want.”
The words followed me as I stumbled out of the bar. Cold river wind whipped through my hair, carrying the scent of water and decay. I walked to the railing and gripped the metal until my knuckles went white.
Every time he looked at me, he was seeing her face.
Every “I love you” was meant for someone else.
I’ve been living in another woman’s shadow this entire time.
I pressed my hands against my chest, trying to ease the crushing weight there.
I couldn’t stay. Not after learning I was nothing more than a convenient substitute.
My phone felt heavy in my hands as I scrolled to a number I hadn’t called in months. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
“Sable?”
“Dad.” My voice came out steadier than I expected. “I want to come home.”
Silence stretched between us. When he spoke again, his voice carried years of hurt and hope.
“What happened?”
“Nothing happened. I’m just… tired of playing house.” I stared at my reflection in the dark water. “I want to accept the arrangement with Caelan.”
“Sable-“
“I was wrong to fight you on this. I was young and stupid and thought I knew better. I should have listened.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” His voice grew gentle. “You’re my daughter. I’ve never stopped loving you, no matter how angry I was.”
Tears threatened again, but I blinked them back. “I’ll handle things here and come back to Blackwood soon.”
“Take your time. The offer still stands – it always has.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Sable?” He hesitated. “Whatever brought you to this decision… I’m glad you’re coming home.”
After I hung up, I sat by the river. Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with an incoming message. The name on the screen made my heart skip: Caelan Blackwood.
“The ceremony is set for next month. I’m flying to Moonridge tomorrow.”
I stared at the message, my pulse quickening. How had he found out so quickly? Dad must have contacted him immediately after our call.
Caelan was nine years older than me, and I’d known him since childhood. Back then, he was just the future king who visited our pack regularly. He’d always been protective, treating me like a precious little sister who needed constant watching over. I’d never been able to see him as anything more than that gentle, overbearing big brother figure – which had been part of why I’d run from the arranged marriage in the first place.
I typed back quickly: “Caelan, don’t come here. Let me handle things myself first.”
His response was immediate: “You’ve had three years to ‘handle things.’ Time’s up.”
As the Lycan King ruling over thirteen major pack territories, he was used to his orders being followed without question. At thirty-four, he’d held the crown for four years, and every Alpha in the region answered to him.
Most people were terrified of him, but I’d never been afraid. Caelan had always been indulgent with me, giving in to my unreasonable demands since we were children.
While everyone else addressed him as “Your Majesty,” I’d never used the formal title. Dad had scolded me for it once, but Caelan just ruffled my hair and said I could call him by his name.
“I’ll come back on my own. I promise. Just give me a few days.”
A longer pause this time, then: “Alright. If you need help, just say it. Goodnight, Sabi.”
That night, Darrell didn’t come home. I lay awake staring at the ceiling, my wolf Esme restless beneath my skin. She’d never liked how Darrell treated us, always pushing me to be stronger, more assertive. Now she seemed pleased that we were finally leaving this mockery of a relationship behind.
The shrill ring of my phone dragged me from sleep. I fumbled for it on the nightstand, squinting at the caller ID. Emily Torres.
“Hello?” My voice came out hoarse.
“Sable! Thank god you picked up.” Emily’s voice carried a note of sadness I’d never heard before. “I’m having a farewell party tonight. I’m moving to Silver Creek tomorrow to start a new life with my mate.”
I sat up straighter. “What? You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, this is my last night with the pack.” She paused. “Look, I know we don’t hang out much, but you’ve always been kind to me. You never looked down on me for being just a regular pack member. Would you… would you come tonight? To send me off?”
The request caught me off guard. Emily was right – we’d never been close friends, but she’d never joined in when other pack members mocked my “orphan” status or whispered about how I didn’t belong.
“Of course I’ll come.”
“Really? Thank you, Sable. It means more than you know.”
After hanging up, I dragged myself to the bathroom. The house felt eerily quiet – Darrell’s side of the bed was still empty, untouched since yesterday. He’d spent the night with Camila, probably making up for years of separation in the most intimate way possible.
I splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the mental images. Stop torturing yourself.
Tonight would be Emily’s farewell party. I should get her a proper gift.
And for myself.
I stood outside Cartier, my newly unfrozen bank card heavy in my wallet. Dad had reinstated my access to the Crawford pack funds the moment I’d called him.
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