Rejected By Childhood Mate, Reborn In Power

The day Jaxson Harper, my childhood friend and the Beta of our pack, marked Monroe Lewis, a human, as his mate, I retreated into seclusion to master the Path of Detachment.

This path, once mastered, would not only elevate my power to its peak but also strip me of all emotions, freeing me from the shackles of love and heartbreak.

Later, Jaxson would stand before me, pleading, "Do you truly... not love me anymore? You once said you’d love me for eternity. Don’t you remember?"

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On the day of Jaxson’s marking ceremony, I stood silently among the crowd, watching as he and the delicate human woman knelt before Harmoni Castro, our Luna. Their scents intertwined—his, a familiar woodsy musk, and hers, a faint floral sweetness—signaling their bond to the pack. Whispers floated around me, questioning why Jaxson, who had grown up with me, had chosen a mere human over his childhood companion. Some even murmured about how he had defied our Luna’s wishes for the sake of this human.

Those around me voiced their indignation on my behalf, but I felt only a cold, searing ache in my chest. The years of friendship, the bond we had shared—it had all been overshadowed by the pull of her scent.

I raised my eyes to Jaxson, who stood radiant with joy, his aura flaring with pride as he smiled at his new mate. He was happy, content, and I could not deny the pain that twisted within me.

Jaxson, this is the last time I will suffer for you.

I had made my decision. The Path of Detachment would sever my ties to all emotions. No love, no hate, no longing or regret. I would be free.

As I stepped into the secluded training chamber, the faint echoes of celebration reached my ears. The heavy door closed behind me, muffling the distant call of “Mates, to your dens!”

The silence of the chamber enveloped me, and I took a deep breath, preparing to shed the last remnants of my heart.