I Rejected My Alpha Before He Could Break Me

“I don’t want it,” I said softly, pushing the necklace away. “I’m not feeling well.” Every moment I spent beside him seemed to make the ache in my chest worse. Daemon immediately noticed my withdrawal and frowned as he stepped closer. “What do you mean you’re not feeling well?” he asked, concern slipping into his voice. “Did something happen? Rhea, please look at me.” I kept my eyes down. “I’ll call the doctors,” he said, already turning toward the door. “You shouldn’t ignore this. You’ve been weak ever since**” He stopped before finishing the sentence, but I knew exactly what he meant. Ever since we lost our daughter. “Ned!” Daemon called sharply. His Beta appeared almost immediately. “Bring the best pack doctors here. I want them to examine her now. And bring the supplements I prescribed for her.” “Yes, Alpha.” Within minutes, the entire house was in motion. The doctors examined me thoroughly, checked my condition, and assured Daemon that there was nothing seriously wrong. He refused to accept it so easily, however. He kept asking questions and watching me as though I might vanish the moment he looked away. Later, he personally brought me a glass of warm milk and placed it in my hands. “Please drink some,” he said quietly. “You need to regain your strength.” I had no desire to drink it, but I forced myself to finish it anyway. That night, exhaustion finally dragged me into sleep. My body was too drained to resist any longer. Sometime after midnight, I woke with my throat painfully dry. The room was silent, and I slowly slipped out of bed, intending only to get some water. As I walked through the hallway, I noticed the door across from our room standing slightly open. Moonlight spilled through the gap. I stopped. Inside, two figures were tangled together on the bed. Then Yvette's voice reached me. “The necklace you gave Rhea must be incredibly expensive, right?” she asked. There was a hint of resentment beneath her sweetness. “I asked you for something like that before, remember? You ignored me, yet she barely has to say anything before you give her something so valuable.” I remained frozen outside the door. After a moment, I heard Daemon shift. “I've already told you that this isn't the right time,” he replied as he lit a cigarette. “Rhea and I will separate eventually. I do care about her, but for now, we have to keep this between us. If she finds out, everything will become complicated.” Complicated. That was what I had become to him. A problem he needed to deal with. Yvette moved closer to him. “I know. I just can't help being jealous. I love you too much, Daemon.” There was a brief silence before I heard a drawer slide open. “You're such a handful,” Daemon murmured. Something was placed into his hand. “Here. Don't look so upset. I bought something for you too.” My stomach tightened. It was another necklace, almost identical to mine, except the stone in hers was different. “Wear it when you're by yourself,” he continued. “Whatever you do, don't let Rhea see it. If she finds out about us, everything is over.” I bit my lip until I tasted blood. Yvette sounded delighted. “You really bought one for me too? Thank you, Daemon. I love it. And I love you.” A moment later, she asked in a softer voice, “Why are you so worried about Rhea leaving you?” The room fell quiet. Then Daemon answered without hesitation. “I'm not worried about that. I have you, don't I? Besides, my grandmother favors Rhea. Once I become Alpha and inherit everything, I'll deal with her. I'll reject her and make you my Luna.” My knees nearly gave way. So that was what I was to him. Something temporary. Someone he would discard once he had everything he wanted. I pressed my palm against the wall to steady myself as the sounds from inside continued. My eyes drifted toward the wedding photograph hanging across the hallway. In that picture, Daemon was smiling at me with such tenderness, his arms around me as though I were the only woman in his world. I stared at that younger version of us until my vision became blurry. “Thirteen days,” I whispered. My voice trembled, but I forced myself to smile. “Just thirteen more days, Daemon. After that, I'll be gone. Then we'll see what your life looks like without me.” ** I eventually stepped outside, needing air. The morning was cold and quiet, but the peace didn't last long. A child's frightened voice suddenly broke through the silence. “Why doesn't Mama sleep in your room anymore? Did you choose another she-wolf? Is that why?” I stopped walking. Near a small house along the path, a man stood rigidly with his back toward the entrance. Before he could answer, a woman stepped outside, straightening her clothes while keeping one hand on his shirt as though she had every right to be there. “No!” the boy cried. “That's Mama's place!” The man finally turned toward him. “This has nothing to do with you. Go inside.” “But I'm your son!” the boy shouted, tears filling his eyes. “How can you say it doesn't concern me?” Before the man could respond, another woman approached. “Because your father is a coward.” The man's real mate stood a few steps away. Her eyes were red from crying, but she held herself upright as she walked toward the mistress. “You couldn't even wait until he explained things to his own son?” she demanded. The other woman lifted her chin. “Watch how you speak to me.” The mate slapped her before anyone could intervene. “You come into my home, take my place, touch my mate, and then tell me how I should speak?” she shouted, her voice breaking with anger. The man grabbed her wrist. “Enough!” She tore herself away. “Don't touch me!” The child began sobbing. “Mama, please stop**” Neither adult seemed to hear him. “You told me she meant nothing!” the mate screamed at her partner. “You promised there was nothing between you!” “There isn't!” he shouted back. “You're the one making this into a spectacle!” “A spectacle?” She laughed bitterly. “You bring another woman into our home, and somehow I'm the problem?” The mistress stepped forward again. “If you couldn't keep your mate interested, that's your own fault.” Another slap landed across her face. Then a warm hand suddenly covered my ear from behind. I went completely still. “Don't listen to them, Rhea,” Daemon whispered beside me. I couldn't bring myself to turn around. “Daemon,” I said quietly, forcing my voice to remain steady, “do all men eventually betray their mates?” He was silent for a moment before gently turning me toward him. His eyes met mine, calm and sincere. “I can't speak for every man,” he said. “But I can speak for myself. I would never betray you. You're the only woman I want, Rhea.” The only one. The words nearly made me laugh. “How long is forever?” I asked. “You really think you'll love me for your entire life?” He pulled me against his chest without hesitation. “Forever is a long time,” he murmured against my hair. “That's exactly why I want to spend every bit of it with you. There isn't anyone else I want beside me.” A faint laugh escaped me, though it sounded nothing like happiness. “What if you betray me someday?” He answered immediately. “If I ever betray you, may the Moon Goddess punish me where I stand.” My fingers curled at my sides. Because I already knew he was lying. His scent still carried traces of another woman. It was faint, but I could recognize it now. Every time he returned to me, he could still hold me, speak gently, and pretend I was his entire world. “How can you say that so easily?” I whispered. “What if the Moon Goddess actually hears you?” Daemon held my gaze. “No one knows how deeply I love you, Rhea. If my words aren't enough, I'll prove it. I'd willingly give my life for you.” I lowered my eyes, swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat. If you're willing to give me your life, Daemon** then why can't you simply stop hurting me?

Before I could answer, a voice came from the doorway. “What are you two doing out here?” Daemon and I turned at the same time. Yvette was standing against the doorframe in a fitted racing outfit that hugged her figure. She looked completely at ease, almost as if she knew exactly how much attention she was drawing. Daemon's expression changed the moment he saw her. “It isn't even the weekend,” he said. “Why are you dressed for a race? Where are you going, who are you meeting, and what time are you planning to come home?” I blinked. That didn't sound like a concerned stepbrother. There was something possessive in the way he questioned her, something that immediately caught my attention. Yvette noticed it too. A slow smile appeared on her face. “There’s a race today, Daemon. A pretty big one, actually. I thought I'd go and enjoy the crowd.” She glanced down at her outfit before looking back at him. “Who knows? Maybe I'll meet someone interesting and finally get myself a boyfriend. Wouldn't that be nice?” Her voice became almost playful. “So don't wait around for me tonight, alright?” Daemon's jaw tightened, and I caught the brief shadow that crossed his eyes. Yvette only smiled wider before turning her attention toward me. “What about you, Rhea? Do you have anything planned?” I was about to answer, but Daemon spoke first. His fingers slipped between mine and held my hand firmly. “Rhea is coming with me. We're heading back to the main pack house.” For the briefest moment, something unreadable flashed across Yvette's face. “Alright, then. Enjoy your day.” She smiled sweetly. “And don't forget to give my regards to Mom.” She walked past us, leaving her scent behind. Daemon still hadn't released my hand. I stared at our joined hands. Why are you holding me like this? Half an hour later, we were driving toward the main pack house. Daemon remained quiet, keeping one hand on the steering wheel while the other stayed wrapped around mine. I turned toward the window and watched the scenery pass. I hated going there. His parents had never welcomed me. His grandmother was the only one who had ever treated me with genuine kindness. She would hold my hands and remind me that I was strong and that I belonged with them. The others never saw me that way. They looked at me as though I had brought misfortune into their family. I had given birth to twins, a son and a daughter who were supposed to become the future of the pack. Instead, we lost both of them. Somehow, their deaths became my fault. Every visit afterward felt like punishment. Their cold stares, whispered conversations, and uncomfortable silence always made me feel as though I were an unwanted guest in the place where I should have belonged. Daemon knew how much I hated coming here, which was why he usually avoided bringing me. But his mother wasn't feeling well, so this time there was no avoiding it. When we entered the house, his parents were sitting together in the living room, talking quietly. They had been smiling at each other until they noticed me. The warmth disappeared immediately. Their expressions hardened. I lowered my gaze and pretended not to notice, but Daemon certainly did. His grip around my hand tightened. “If you're going to treat my Luna this way every time she visits,” he said sharply, “then don't expect us to come back.” The room became silent. His father slammed his palm against the table, making me flinch. “Mind your attitude,” he warned. “Are you seriously willing to turn your back on your own family because of her?” I instinctively tried to pull my hand away, but Daemon held tighter. “Father, we've had this conversation before. Rhea is my mate, and she's the woman I love. I would never treat her disrespectfully, so I don't understand why you insist on making her feel unwelcome every time she comes here.” His voice hardened. “If this happens again, I won't simply leave the house. I'll cut myself off from this family entirely.” Anyone watching would have thought I was the luckiest woman in the pack. The feared Alpha was standing in front of everyone, defending his Luna without hesitation. But I knew the truth. Pathetic. Do you really think I don't know what you've been doing behind my back? Before his parents could respond, another voice came from the staircase. “Of course he'd choose her. He's been blinded by her for years.” Maureen stood halfway down the stairs with her arms crossed, staring at me with open contempt. “Are you actually serious, Brother?” she continued as she descended. “You're threatening Mom and Dad because of her? After everything that happened? After we lost the pups? Yvette would make a far better Luna than Rhea ever could.” My fingers turned cold. Maureen wasn't finished. “If Rhea had been stronger, maybe those pups would still be alive.” “That's enough, Maureen.” Daemon's voice dropped into a dangerous growl. She rolled her eyes. “I'm only saying what everyone already knows. The entire pack thinks she brought misfortune into this family.” I kept my head lowered. There was no point defending myself. Daemon moved in front of me, shielding me from her. “Say one more thing about Rhea,” he warned, “and I'll stop treating you like my sister.” Maureen stared at him for several seconds before letting out a bitter laugh. “Fine. Keep protecting her if that's what you want. We'll see how long that lasts.” The room fell silent again. Daemon continued holding my hand, standing beside me as though he could protect me from everyone in the room. Yet somehow, I didn't feel protected. I only felt exhausted. Finally, Mrs. Targaryen exhaled sharply. “Enough. We'll eat first.” At the dining table, conversation was nearly nonexistent. The only sounds were the occasional clatter of utensils and Mrs. Targaryen's irritated sighs. I knew something was coming. It always did. Eventually, she put her fork down. “It's been nine months,” she said coldly. “You've had enough time to grieve. We understand that you lost your pups, but you cannot remain like this forever. This pack needs an heir, and you need to give us another grandson.” My chest tightened. His father looked directly at me. “The pups died because you failed to care for them properly,” he said without sympathy. “It started with a simple illness, yet neither survived the healers' care. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and try again. If you conceive another time, make sure you do your duty properly.” My ears rang. My children. My son and daughter. Before I could respond, Daemon calmly placed his fork down. “I've already made my position clear. Rhea is terrified of going through that kind of loss again, and I won't force her into another pregnancy. If we never have another pup, then I'll accept that.” His parents looked disappointed. Maureen immediately scoffed. “Of course you'd say that. You care more about protecting her feelings than you do about the future of the pack.” She leaned forward. “Are you seriously saying you don't want an heir? What are we supposed to do, wait forever while she hides behind excuses?” Then she added mockingly, “Why don't you just choose Yvette instead? I like her much more than Rhea anyway. You had a crush on Yvette before she left to study fashion abroad.” “Enough, Maureen!” Daemon's voice thundered through the room. My fingers trembled against the table. Then I finally spoke. “You'll have your grandson soon.” Everyone froze. Three pairs of eyes immediately turned toward me. Daemon's hand tightened around mine, and his expression softened. “Rhea, you don't have to do this for me,” he said gently. “I already told you that I won't let them pressure you.” Protect me? I nearly laughed. You can't even stay away from Yvette. How exactly are you protecting me? Still, I smiled. “You all want a grandson so badly,” I said quietly. “Then I'll give you one.” Mrs. Targaryen's expression immediately brightened, while her husband nodded in satisfaction. Maureen narrowed her eyes but remained silent. Only Daemon looked uneasy, as though he sensed that something wasn't quite right. Then his phone vibrated on the table. I glanced down. A message from Yvette appeared on the screen. Daemon, someone here keeps bothering me and asking me for something inappropriate. I'm uncomfortable. Can you come get me? I quietly counted in my head. One. Two. Three. Daemon stood up right on cue.

“Rhea,” Daemon said as he reached for his jacket, “something urgent has come up at the office, and I need to deal with it. Stay here and finish your dinner. I’ll return for you when I’m done.” He left before I could respond, and the moment the door closed behind him, the warmth in the room disappeared. Mrs. Targaryen’s expression hardened. “You have less than a month,” she said without hesitation. “If you are not carrying Daemon’s heir by then, you should not bother returning here. Is that clear?” Her husband followed with an even harsher warning. “You came into this family with nothing. You have no pack lineage, no influence, and both of your parents are gone. Without Daemon, you have no standing at all. Do not assume this family will continue accepting you indefinitely.” Their words settled over me like stones. I remained seated, saying nothing because there was nothing I could say that would change their minds. What could I possibly do when even the man who was supposed to stand beside me had already chosen to leave? Daemon never returned that evening, so I made my way back to the pack house alone. The moment I entered, however, I stopped. Yvette was already there. She was stretched comfortably across the sofa, dressed in a silk nightgown and casually eating chips as though she had every right to be in my home. “I thought you were going to the motor race,” I said quietly. “You told us you would be staying out tonight.” She looked up and smiled. “Oh, Rhea, I forgot to mention something. I did go to the race, but I left before it really got started.” She tilted her head, and I noticed several fresh marks along her skin. “I met my mate near the garage,” she continued with a satisfied smile. “He recognized me, and things became rather intense.” My stomach tightened. “When did you find your mate?” I asked. “You never told me about him.” “It was about nine months ago,” she replied casually. “It happened shortly after I returned from studying abroad. You remember how much I missed Daemon, so I decided to stay here instead of moving back to the main pack house.” She paused, watching my expression. “That was when Daemon introduced me to him.” My breathing became uneven. Nine months ago. The same period when everything between Daemon and me had begun to change. Before I could ask anything else, I felt familiar hands settle on my shoulders. “Sweetheart,” Daemon said gently from behind me. “You look exhausted. It has been a long day. Why don't you go upstairs and rest? I’ll prepare a warm bath for you.” His voice was tender, almost painfully normal. I turned toward him but said nothing. I no longer had the strength to question him. I went into the bathroom, closed the door, and began changing. Only after I had started did I realize that I had forgotten to bring clean clothes. I opened the door slightly. Then I froze. Daemon was standing in the hallway with Yvette. They were far too close, and the way he looked at her was nothing like the innocent concern he had shown me moments earlier. Yvette noticed me first. For one suspended second, our eyes met. There was no shame in hers. Only triumph. I immediately stepped back into the bathroom, grabbed my clothes, and locked the door. My hands were trembling so badly that I could barely hold them. The bath was already running, so I lowered myself into the water and allowed the heat to surround me. Yet even then, I could not escape what I had seen. My mind returned to five years earlier, to our mating ceremony on the island. During the celebration, I had glanced only once at another male wolf who happened to pass nearby. Daemon had reacted as though I had committed some unforgivable betrayal. He had kept me inside our room for an entire week, refusing to let me leave or even interact with another male. When I finally became too exhausted to argue, he had held me against his chest and whispered, “Rhea, you don't need anyone else when you have me. Promise that you will never give another male your attention.” And I had promised. I had kept that promise for five years. I never flirted. I never entertained another male. I never even allowed myself to wonder what life with someone else might have been like. Yet Daemon had demanded absolute loyalty from me while secretly giving his own to another woman. I sank deeper into the water, staring blankly ahead. What had I done to deserve this? When I finally emerged, the house was quiet again. Yvette was gone. Daemon sat nearby as though the evening had been completely ordinary. On the table rested a plate of sliced fruit and a steaming cup of ginger tea. He stood and handed it to me. “I know your heat cycle is approaching,” he said gently. “Drink this. It should help you feel more comfortable.” I accepted the cup. The warmth seeped into my fingers, but there was nothing warm left inside me. How could he stand there so calmly after everything that had happened? Only moments earlier, he had been with her, yet now he was behaving like the devoted Alpha I had once believed him to be. That night, sleep refused to come easily. My thoughts kept circling the same question until exhaustion finally dragged me under. How many versions of Daemon were there? Sometime before dawn, I finally fell asleep. “Rhea!” I woke with a start. Daemon had jolted upright beside me, his breathing ragged and his wolf visibly restless beneath the surface. The instant he realized I was awake, he pulled me into his arms and held me tightly. “Please don't leave me,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Rhea, I don't want to lose you.” I remained motionless against him. “What happened to you?” I asked quietly. His eyes were red, and his face looked as though he had spent the entire night fighting some invisible battle. “I dreamed about you,” he said. “I saw you break our bond and walk away. I tried to reach you, but you kept disappearing until I couldn't find you anymore.” His arms tightened around me. “Then I woke up and you were still here beside me. I could still feel you in my arms, and for a moment, I thought I had actually lost you.” My throat tightened. For a brief moment, I almost told him the truth. I almost whispered that his nightmare was not a nightmare at all. That the day he feared was already approaching. Instead, I looked at him silently and thought the words I could not yet bring myself to say. It will happen soon, Daemon.

But I remained silent. At that moment, the bond between us felt heavier than it ever had before, almost as though it had already decided how our story would end, even if neither of us was ready to admit it. Perhaps the nightmare had affected Daemon more deeply than I realized, because the following morning, he refused to let me out of his sight. “I’m taking you with me,” he said as he finished dressing and picked up his keys. “I don’t want anyone else looking after you today.” I offered no argument. I simply did not have the strength left to fight him. When we reached his office tower, the guards immediately lowered their heads. “Good morning, Alpha Daemon.” I barely acknowledged them. Something felt wrong the instant I stepped inside. The atmosphere seemed strangely heavy, as though the entire building were silently watching me. Daemon’s scent was everywhere, strong and unmistakable, yet beneath it lingered another scent that I could not quite identify. My wolf immediately became restless. Then I saw the wall inside his office. I stopped breathing. It was covered with photographs. None of them were of me. They were all of Yvette. There were hundreds of pictures, ranging from ordinary snapshots to images that were far too intimate to belong on the wall of a married man’s office. Some showed her standing beside Daemon, others captured moments between them that clearly belonged in private. Why were her pictures displayed here? Before I could ask, Daemon came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Rhea,” he murmured, his voice gentle and reassuring, “you don’t need to worry about Yvette. None of this means what you think it does.” I kept staring at the photographs. None of it meant anything? He seemed to realize how terrible the explanation sounded because he quickly continued, “She asked for them to be displayed. It was something she wanted, and I allowed it for today. I’ll have everything removed tomorrow and replace them with photographs of you.” I said nothing. His arms tightened around me as though he could somehow block the images from my view. Then, almost too quickly, he turned me away from the wall and guided me toward the private room connected to his office. “Stay here for now,” he instructed. “I’ll take care of everything.” A knock sounded at the door. It was Ned, his Beta. “Alpha, the council meeting is about to begin.” Daemon sighed and looked back at me. He brushed his thumb gently across my cheek. “Stay here, Rhea. Don’t wander around the building. You’re safe here, all right?” Safe. The word almost made me laugh. Still, I simply nodded. After giving me one last look, Daemon finally left. The moment the door closed, silence settled over the room. I remained there for several seconds before curiosity—or perhaps the part of me that already knew the truth—pulled me back toward his desk. A screen was still open. There was a social media post displayed across it. Yvette. She was smiling at the camera while standing close to a man whose face was hidden from view. His features were obscured, but there was no mistaking the distinctive cross-shaped birthmark near his collarbone. Daemon. My stomach dropped. I scrolled down. There were more photographs, each one revealing another piece of the secret life they had apparently been living behind my back. The comments were filled with speculation. “Is that your mate, Yvette?” “You two look incredibly close!” “That man has serious Alpha energy.” “Wait, is that Daemon? Tell us the truth!” “They look way too comfortable together.” My hands turned cold. I slowly stepped away from the desk as the room seemed to shrink around me. I could no longer remain there. So I left. I walked through the corridors of the tower, passing guards and employees who immediately lowered their heads when they saw me. Yet something about their expressions felt different now, as though they were looking at someone who was already halfway out the door. By noon, my phone rang. I answered immediately. “Ms. Rhea Cooper?” a woman asked. “I’m calling from the consulate. Your application to leave the Targaryen Pack territory has been approved. You may now collect your transfer documents.” My fingers tightened around the phone. Approved. It was finally over. I had actually done it. I opened my mouth to respond, but another voice came from behind me. “Your exit documents?” I turned slowly. Daemon stood several steps away. The color had drained from his face. “What exit documents?” he asked, his voice unusually unsteady. “Rhea, what did I just hear?” My heart skipped, but I forced myself to smile. “They aren’t mine,” I replied casually. “A friend called to tell me that her request to leave her pack was approved. She’s planning to move into human territory, and she wanted to ask me about the process.” Daemon stared at me for several moments. He seemed to be searching my face for any sign that I was lying, as though he could somehow scent the truth from me. Then, without warning, he pulled me into his arms. His embrace was so tight that it almost hurt, and I could feel his body trembling. “Rhea,” he whispered against my hair, his voice rough with fear, “please don’t ever leave me. For one terrible moment, I thought those documents belonged to you. I thought our bond was breaking and that you were already gone.” His arms tightened around me. “I don’t know what I would do without you. Please don’t put me through that.” I slowly raised my hand and patted his back as though I were comforting him. On the outside, I gave him a faint smile. Inside, however, I was already gone. I am leaving you, Daemon. You simply don’t know it yet. That afternoon, while Daemon was occupied with a series of council meetings, I quietly slipped away and went directly to the consulate. I signed the final documents with trembling fingers. For the first time, however, my mind was completely certain. There was no hesitation left. ** That evening, the Targaryen Company's grand celebration brought together nearly everyone of importance in the pack. Alphas, elders, investors, warriors, and influential families filled the enormous ballroom, while crystal lights reflected off the polished floors and the atmosphere buzzed with wealth and power. I deliberately chose a simple dress because I had no desire to attract attention. I only wanted to disappear into the crowd. Yvette had no such intention. She entered wearing a striking crimson gown that immediately drew everyone's attention. Conversations faltered as people turned to look at her, and whispers quickly spread throughout the room. Daemon noticed her too. I saw the subtle change in his expression, the brief pause of his hand around his glass and the slight tension in his jaw before he composed himself again. One guest after another approached me, offering compliments about my marriage. “You’re incredibly fortunate, Luna Rhea. Alpha Daemon seems completely devoted to you.” “The bond between the two of you is remarkable.” “Everyone knows how deeply the Alpha loves his mate.” I smiled politely and thanked them. If only they knew what was happening behind the perfect image they admired. At one point, a man approached Yvette and offered her a drink. Before she could accept it, Daemon stepped forward, took the glass from the man's hand, and drank from it himself. “I can’t have my friend's sister getting herself into trouble,” he said smoothly. Yvette tilted her head, a playful smile appearing on her lips. “Be careful, Daemon,” she teased. “If you keep behaving like that, Rhea might start getting jealous.” Several people immediately looked in my direction. I kept my expression calm. “No,” I replied with a gentle smile. “I’m not worried. I know Daemon loves me, and I know he can’t imagine his life without me.” For a brief moment, Daemon stared at me. There was something uncertain in his eyes, as though he could not decide whether my words reassured him or frightened him. Then my gaze fell on Yvette's neck. She was wearing a necklace. The design was almost identical to mine. Only the stone was different. My chest tightened. So he had given her one, too.

She noticed where I was looking, and for the briefest moment, the confidence in her expression disappeared. Then she quickly composed herself, murmured an excuse, and slipped out of the room. Daemon followed a few minutes later. He checked his phone once before rising from his seat. “Excuse me,” he said casually. “I need to take an important work call.” And just like that, he disappeared after her. Of course he did. I started toward the hallway, but one of his business associates intercepted me with an overly friendly smile and launched into a conversation that seemed determined to never end. He was married, yet everyone knew enough about his reputation to make me uncomfortable. I kept my expression polite. “I’m feeling a little unwell,” I said. “I think I should go home and rest. Please don’t worry about me; I’ll take a cab.” Before he could object, I excused myself and slipped away. The hallway was nearly empty now. Then I heard something. A door stood slightly ajar, and faint voices came from inside. There was something about the hushed conversation and the intimate sounds that made my stomach twist before I could even process what I was hearing. I stopped. Slowly, I approached the door and looked through the opening. Yvette was with Daemon. She was sitting close to him, her body pressed against his as though she had every right to be there. Daemon’s arms were around her, and the intimacy between them left no room for misunderstanding. Then Yvette turned her head. She saw me. Instead of being startled, she smiled. “Daemon,” she said softly, deliberately loud enough for me to hear, “tell me honestly. Do you really love me, or should I find someone else to keep me company tonight?” Daemon answered immediately. “I love you,” he said. “I love you, Yvette, so don’t ever threaten me with something like that.” My fingers tightened around my phone. Without making a sound, I started recording. Every word. Every confession. Every piece of evidence I might need. Yvette's smile widened. “Then show me that you mean it,” she whispered. “If I’m truly the woman you want, then give me a future with you. Give me your heir and make it clear that I belong beside you.” “I will,” Daemon replied without hesitation. That was enough. I stopped listening and walked away. I kept my back straight and my steps steady, even though something inside me had just shattered completely. --- When I returned home, I opened my suitcase. My hands trembled as I began packing, yet strangely, I felt calmer than I had in months. Because this time, I wasn't merely thinking about leaving. I was actually doing it. By the time I reached the airport, my luggage was beside me, my passport was in my hand, and my boarding pass was already tucked safely between my fingers. I had just settled into the lounge when my phone began to ring. Daemon's name appeared on the screen. Of course it was him. I stared at it for several seconds before finally answering. “Where are you, sweetheart?” His voice sounded relaxed, almost affectionate, as though nothing had happened. “Ned told me you weren't at home, but you didn't say anything to me.” I took a slow breath. “I wasn't feeling well,” I replied calmly. “I had a terrible headache, so I went home to rest.” “I'll have Ned bring you some medicine.” “There’s no need,” I interrupted gently. “I've decided to stop taking them. I just want to sleep and recover.” There was a brief silence. Then I lowered my voice. “Before you come home, though, there’s something waiting for you in our bedroom. Please make sure you open it.” I could already picture everything waiting for him. The necklace. The divorce documents. My wedding ring. And the USB containing the evidence of his betrayal. Daemon gave a quiet laugh. “All right. I'll look at it when I get home.” Then I heard something faint in the background. A woman's voice. My blood immediately ran cold. “I'll check everything,” he continued calmly, “but I won't be able to come home tonight. There's an important pack matter that needs my attention, and I have a meeting that can't be postponed.” Then I heard Yvette laugh. She was unmistakably close to him. “I should be home tomorrow,” Daemon added, as though he were telling me about an ordinary business trip. I forced a faint smile even though he couldn't see it. “All right. Take care.” “I love you, Rhea.” I closed my eyes. “Sleep well,” I whispered before ending the call. The moment the call ended, another notification appeared. It was from Yvette. I opened the message. Dozens of photographs loaded onto my screen. There she was with Daemon, together in private moments they had never bothered to hide from each other. His face was visible in several of them, and the distinctive birthmark near his collarbone left no doubt about his identity. There was no room for excuses anymore. No room for explanations. No room for me to pretend I had misunderstood anything. Another message appeared. I know you're Daemon's Luna, Yvette wrote. But Daemon is my mate. My fingers went numb. The next message followed almost immediately. By next month, I'll be carrying his pup. Unlike you. I stared at the words until my vision began to blur. Then came another message. Your pups died because you were incapable of protecting them. You were never worthy of being their mother. My grip tightened around the phone until my fingers hurt. Then her final message appeared. And Rhea, do me one favor. Walk away now. My knees nearly gave out beneath me. For several seconds, the airport seemed to disappear. I couldn't hear the conversations around me, the announcements over the speakers, or even the movement of passengers passing by. All I could hear was the pounding of my own blood. Slowly, I lowered my phone. My hand was still shaking, but strangely, my chest felt lighter. The decision I had been afraid to make for so long was finally mine. When boarding was announced, I stood and picked up my suitcase. My phone lit up again. Daemon was calling. I looked at his name one final time. Then I switched the phone off. There was no hesitation. As I approached the boarding gate, my fingers instinctively rose to the mark at my neck. My mate mark. Our bond. For years, I had believed I could never survive without it. I had convinced myself that losing Daemon would destroy me completely. Now there was only one way to find out. I pressed my fingers against the mark and gathered every ounce of courage I had left. The pain came instantly. It tore through me as the bond resisted, tightening painfully as though it were trying to drag me back to the man I had spent years loving. My vision blurred. My knees weakened. Still, I refused to stop. “I am Rhea Stark,” I whispered through the pain. “I reject Alpha Daemon Targaryen as my mate. I sever this bond, and I release everything that once connected us.” Something inside me broke. The bond screamed through my entire body, fighting against my decision and begging me to stay. I remained there, trembling, until the pain slowly began to fade. Then there was nothing. No pull. No voice. No invisible connection tying me to him. Only silence. I took a shaky breath and slowly rose to my feet. My body was weak, but my heart felt strangely free. I tightened my grip on my passport, pulled my suitcase behind me, and walked toward the gate. One step. Then another. I never looked back. “Goodbye, Daemon,” I whispered. “You don't own me anymore.”