My Alpha's 52nd "No"

After saying goodbye to Simon, I returned to my camp to hand over my duties. Yara Moss, the she-wolf taking over for me, was furious on my behalf.

"Layla, you're really leaving? That means I'll have to watch those two lovebirds parade around in front of me every single day!"

Following her gaze, I saw Kyle personally teaching Elara archery. When she missed her shot, he actually gave her his wolf fang necklace to cheer her up, the one he always wore close to his skin as Alpha.

Elara immediately put it on, beaming. Shortly afterward, Kyle's eyes meet mine, a flash of panic crossing his face.

"Layla, there's nothing between the Alpha and me! This is just a regular wolf fang!" Elara explained carefully.

The wolves around us looked at me with pity. Everyone knew an Alpha's personal token could only be worn by the future Luna. I pressed my hand on Yara's arm, signaling her to stay calm, then looked at Elara.

"That wolf fang looks good on you. It suits you."

Elara seemed disappointed that I wasn't losing my temper.

Kyle stood up, frowning as he scolded me. "Layla, don't be unreasonable."

I sighed. "I'm really not angry."

My composure caught him off guard. He huffed. "You'd better not be."

Yara and I turned, returning to our task. She couldn't help but ask, "You're just going to let them off the hook like this?"

I shrugged while organizing my scrolls. "Yeah. As far as I'm concerned, he and I are already done."

That evening, Kyle came looking for me. "Let's go. I've set everything up at Moonlight Lake. We can head over now."

He stopped when he noticed my bare neck. "Where's the heartstone necklace I gave you?"

"I put it away. Didn't want it to break during combat."

He relaxed, smiling. "You used to wear it every day though."

Before I could think of an answer, Elara ran over. "Alpha, I'm ready!"

Kyle's attention immediately shifted to her.

I watched as Elara walked straight to the rock that only the Alpha and Luna were supposed to sit on.

At the lakeside, Kyle and Elara sat together while I sat alone on the other side. When the meat finished roasting, Kyle actually tore off a piece for me. But I caught Elara's nauseating daisy scent all over it.

Fighting back my disgust, I took one bite and pushed it away. "I don't want it. You eat."

After dinner, Kyle said he needed to take a drunk Elara back. The moment they left, I immediately headed for the meeting point I had arranged with my pack members.

Through the mind-link, Kyle was still planning our next ceremony with me. "Don't worry, we'll definitely complete it this time!"

I replied flatly. "Okay."

I knew it was impossible.

Just as I was about to leave pack territory, another message came through. "Elara drank too much, and she's emotionally unstable. I'm not coming back tonight."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I'd expected as much.

"It's fine. You can stay at her place if you want. I've already left the Graywolf pack. We won't have anything between us anymore. Goodbye, Kyle."

After sending that final message, I severed the mind-link with him completely. Under my pack members' escort, I watched the wasteland grow more distant.

On the other side, Kyle was completely stunned.