No Longer Tormented By My Mate I Left Him

I don't know how I stumbled out of the club. The rain pounded me, but I felt nothing-just those cruel words looping in my head, clawing at my soul.

Selena Moore. Her name alone made me tremble. I didn't understand. She'd left the pack, gone abroad-why was she still hell-bent on destroying me? All because of a stupid pack title, "fairest she-wolf," won when my raw, unfiltered photo outshone her polished one. She'd rallied her pack to torment me-cornered me in a bathroom, humiliated me, pressed my face into a toilet. When I refused to grovel, she made my life a living hell for three years.

Beatings. Needles in my shoes. Tacks in my clothes. The whole pack shunned me, sabotaged my jobs, spread vicious rumors. She even sent rich wolves to chase me, plotting to let wealth corrupt me before abandoning me to despair. She never broke me, not fully, even when she left the pack in my third year. But by then, I was a shadow of myself-battling deep depression, scarred from self-harm.

That's when Rowan appeared.

Unlike the other entitled wolves who eyed me like prey, throwing money my way, Rowan was different. His gaze was clear, kind. He listened, really listened, to my struggles. When he learned about my grandma, who needed constant medicine, he didn't judge me. He helped in ways I could accept-small, thoughtful gestures that made life bearable. He found me internships, side gigs. He'd sit with me in gas station diners after long shifts, patting my head gently. "Elena, you're killing it. I'm proud of you."

Once, when Grandma got sick while I was out of town, Rowan rushed her to the healer and stayed by her side for a full day and night. When I got there, exhausted, he just smiled, weary but warm. "She's okay, Elena. Don't push yourself too hard."

In that moment, a voice in my heart whispered, *This is the one. Trust him. Cherish this, no matter what comes.*

And he kept being that wolf-steady, kind, even fighting his powerful pack to be with me.

But Gabriel's mocking voice crashed through my memories. "Stupid she-wolf. Did she really think the Whitmore pack would let an orphan like her join their sacred bond? Just hired a couple of actors to play a part, and Rowan's 'fight' for her had her eating out of his paw."

"Stupid. Three years, and she never suspected."

"Stupid. Still thinks Rowan's her destined mate."

"Stupid, stupid, stupid."

I collapsed in the rain, tears mixing with the downpour. *Elena, you're such a fool.*

I threw my head back, laughing wildly, letting the storm batter my face.

Then my phone rang, shrill and jarring. It was Grandma's caretaker. "Elena, come quick. She's fading fast!"

My mind went blank, my body numb. I scrambled to my feet, lurching to the roadside to flag a car. Every vehicle sped by, horns blaring, lights flashing. I was about to run to the hospital when a rugged Land Rover pulled up. A tough-looking wolf asked where I was headed. Too desperate to care about safety, I jumped in.

At the hospital, the healer delivered the grim news: "Respiratory failure. There's no saving her. Spend what time you can with her."

I dropped to my knees, trembling, clutching Grandma's frail hand. She forced a smile. "Elena. don't cry. I'm sorry I couldn't hold on for your binding ceremony."

I shook my head, choking on sobs, unable to speak.

Her eyes searched weakly. "Where's Rowan? I want to see him."

"Okay," I whispered, voice barely audible. I dialed Rowan's number, over and over. Each call was rejected. I sent frantic texts.

*Rowan, Grandma's heart is failing. She's slipping away. Please come-she wants to see you one last time.*

*Rowan, she's waiting. Just one moment, please.*

*Rowan, I'm begging you.*

My shaking hands typed furiously, tears splashing onto the screen. In that moment, the lies, the betrayal-none of it mattered. I just needed Rowan to show up, to let Grandma pass in peace. But he never answered.

I stopped, forcing a broken smile, holding her hand tightly. "Grandma, Rowan's probably caught up with something. Don't worry, we're solid. We're bonding next week."

"I'll be so happy. you'll see."

Her grip tightened briefly, her eyes locked on mine. "Elena. keep living. be happy."

Her hand went limp, her gaze fading with a flicker of worry.

I stared at my empty palm, then collapsed, sobbing until my chest ached.

That night, I went through the motions of arranging Grandma's final affairs, still waiting for a reply from Rowan that never came. In a quiet moment, I unblocked Selena's Twitter and opened her latest post.

*Planned to surprise everyone by coming back early, but I'm the one who got the surprise!*

The photo showed an airport, Rowan in a goofy mascot costume, holding flowers, his sweaty face grinning softly. Another shot captured them together-she beamed, and he gazed at her, eyes full of devotion.

I let out a bitter laugh and shut off my phone.

By noon the next day, I carried Grandma's ashes back to the hospital and made two decisions.

First, I booked an abortion for three days later.

Second, I signed up for a pack-wide healer mission with Healers Without Borders.

The director looked at me, shocked. "Weren't you about to form a sacred bond?"

I paused, my voice flat. "Not anymore. I need to leave-fast."

Seeing my bloodshot eyes and desperate expression, he didn't press. "You're just in time for the deadline. Take a few days to prepare. We leave in a week."

"Good."

A week from now-the day I was supposed to bind with Rowan.

I wasn't just leaving. I was going to give them a gift they'd never forget.