A Regret in Red

I picked up my phone and called my father, my hands still shaking.

"Aurora? I thought you said you were cutting all ties with us," he answered coldly. "Remember, you promised to go to the Risingdawn Pack. Don't forget your words."

"I want to ask you something." I tried to keep my voice steady. "Back then, was it Damian who came to you first about disciplining me?"

There was a brief silence.

"Yes," my father finally admitted. "He said Clara mentioned you were always bullying her and asked if he could step in. He traded for you with valuable territory. To be honest, I thought it was a good deal. You were always going against me, so I figured I'd let him handle the trouble."

My phone slipped from my hand, hitting the floor with a sharp crack.

So, it was all true.

I wasn't some fated mate. We weren't destined for each other.

I was just a nuisance that was despised, traded away like some merchandise.

And Damian took me in only to help the woman he really loved.

I looked around at all the photos of Clara, then at the shameful footage on the computer screen, and I finally couldn't hold it in. I started laughing.

Laughter echoed through the room, sharp and empty.

I laughed until tears streamed down my cheeks.

I laughed as it mixed with my tears.

Aurora, you really were a joke.

Sold off by your father, played with by Damian like a toy, and then used as a stepping stone by Clara.

You were just a pitiful little fool from the beginning to the end.

The laughter finally faded.

I wiped my tears and dragged out the suitcase I had packed long ago.

Before leaving, I grabbed a box of matches from the kitchen. I was going to burn all my designs and all those shameful scenes.

Watching the flames devour those fake happy memories, I felt a rare, almost fierce sense of relief.

Since it was all a lie, let it all turn to ash.

At the door, I saw the silver dagger Damian had once given me. He had said it was meant for our bonding ceremony someday.

What a laughable promise!

I suddenly laughed, picked up the knife, and stabbed my arm without hesitation. Blood gushed out, splattering across the white marble floor.

The pain brought everything into focus.

Consider this the ending ritual for our so-called relationship.

Then, I heard the sounds of a car engine outside.

Damian was back.

I heard his hurried footsteps, the door slamming open, his panicked shout as he saw the flames.

"Aurora! Where are you? Aurora!"

He rushed to the entryway, then saw the blood and the knife in my hand, and his face instantly turned pale.

"What are you doing?!" He tried to grab me, but I stepped back.

"It's nothing." I looked at him calmly.

"Are you crazy?!" Damian's eyes were full of anger and worry. "Put the knife down, now!"

I shook my head, a strange smile on my lips.

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, finally, just one line came from him.

"Happy now? You burned the house down. Do you feel any better?"

I looked up at him.

Those eyes that had once been full of love were now cold and empty. I looked at Damian as if he were a stranger, not saying a single word.

Just then, his Beta, Marcus, hurried in. "Alpha, the Pack Council's emergency meeting is starting soon. You need to leave immediately! The private jet is ready."

I looked at Damian. After a moment's hesitation, he said to Marcus, "Have someone take her to Blue Mountain Villa. Twenty-four-hour supervision."

"I'm not going." My voice was steady. "I'm going home."

"You're not going anywhere…"

"I'm going to where I belong," I whispered, barely loud enough for myself to hear. "We're done, Damian."

With that, I walked out the door.

Damian wanted to follow, but his assistant urged him again, "Alpha, we really can't delay this anymore!"

In the end, he made his choice and got in the car.

I didn't look back as I left the estate I had once thought was home.

In the cover of the night, I went to the airport.

Two planes took off at the same time, flying in opposite directions.

One headed north to the business center. The other south, to the Risingdawn Pack's territory.

Our paths would never cross again.