Six Days to Abandon My Fated Alpha

Early in the morning, Reina Lawson ticked off another square on her calendar. Only ten days remained before she would leave the country. The faint scent of rosemary—Dean’s mate scent—still lingered in the air, a cruel reminder of the bond she was about to sever.

The creaking of the door behind her drew her attention. Alpha Dean Willis stepped inside, shaking off the snow from his jacket before approaching to embrace her. He still hadn’t warmed up to her short hair, a stark contrast to the long, flowing locks he’d once admired.

His eyes were drawn to the calendar, particularly to the heavily marked third day of the upcoming month—the day of their marking ceremony. Dean chuckled softly, playfully pinching her cheek. "Can’t wait to make you my Luna, huh?" he joked, his alpha tone softening into something almost affectionate.

He counted aloud, "Just ten days left."

Dean nestled his face against her neck, his warmth a sharp contrast to the cold air outside. "Maybe we should take some time in the next few days to dye your hair back to black and add some extensions?" he suggested, his voice carrying the subtle command of an Alpha. "You’ll look breathtaking on our marking day."

"No need," Reina replied, her expression unchanged, her gaze fixed on the calendar. "There’s not much time left."

Dean fell silent for a moment, his dominant aura flickering with uncertainty. "Right," he finally said, pulling back.

He grabbed his coat from the chair, his movements brisk. "There’s plenty to sort out for the ceremony. The Crimson Fang Pack’s warriors caused some trouble at our borders yesterday, so I’ll be caught up for a while. I won’t be back anytime soon."

As he spoke, he observed her, his piercing gaze searching for a reaction. Waiting for her to change her mind, to agree, to say, *Okay, Alpha, let’s go dye my hair, let’s extend it again.*

But she simply returned his gaze, her own resolve unwavering. The mate bond between them felt like a weight in her chest, a connection she was ready to break.

"Go ahead," she said. "After all, we only have ten days left."

Dean said nothing, his jaw tightening as he turned and slipped into the night, his broad frame disappearing into the darkness without a backward glance.