This Mate Bond? I'm Done

Joe stopped me in my tracks, mouth opening and closing a few times before he finally got the words out, clearly uncomfortable. "Would you mind… staying somewhere else for a bit?"

Worried I might take it the wrong way, he quickly added, "I mean, Nora and I just hit the news. If you're living here, I'm worried the rest of the pack will start talking..."

My body swayed, and I grabbed the door handle with all my strength, barely managing to keep myself from collapsing.

I'd lived here for ten years. This place was home to me. And now Joe wanted me gone?

He kept explaining, calm as ever. "I bought a villa in the suburbs. It's furnished just like this one, so you'll feel right at home. And you won't be stuck there for long.

"Nora's setting up a healing center in the pack. It should be up and running in a few days. Once she's got it off the ground, I'll talk to the press and set the record straight. It's not going to mess with our mate-bonding ceremony next week."

Perhaps I had looked too wrecked, because Joe's voice softened. "Anna, we've been through ten years together. What are you so afraid of? You're the only mate I'll ever have! Just hang in there, okay? Give it a few days, and I'll bring you back."

I lowered my head, tears slipping down my face. My voice came out rough and low. "Okay. I'll move out today."

I'd spent ten years waiting for Joe, and this was how it all ended. And now, all of a sudden, I didn't feel like waiting anymore.

I could see the relief on his face when he heard my answer.

"I'll have the maids help you out. Honestly, it's good you're moving today. The movers are still around. I'll just get them to make another trip."

I kept my mouth shut and went straight to my room to pack. If I were leaving, I would make sure it was for good. I was taking everything that was mine and leaving behind everything that wasn't.

After giving the maids their orders, Joe walked off to find Nora without even looking back.

I gathered every gift he'd ever given me—the wooden wolf he carved himself, that overpriced moonstone necklace he fought for at some auction, a bunch of handcrafted silver fang pendants, and those love letters he wrote with his paw print stamped on them.

I crammed everything into five boxes, stuffed full.

Once I was done, I called the movers over. "I don't want any of this anymore. Get rid of them."

Everything else I owned fit into one suitcase. Ten years in this place, and that was all I had to show for it.

Maybe that was a good thing. The lighter I traveled, the easier it would be to walk away from the Fangtooth pack.

Right before I left, Nora was up on the second-floor balcony, holding her pup and waving at me with that smug little smile of hers.

Through the window, I spotted Joe inside, talking to a maid with his head down. He didn't even glance my way.

It took three hours on the road to get to the villa out in the suburbs. This place was way out on the edge of the pack. A ten-minute walk, and I'd be out of the pack and into the woods.

The place really was a copy of the old villa, but it must've been put together in a hurry. Only the main hall and my bedroom were furnished. The rest of it was bare.

I didn't mind, for this was just a temporary stop. I'd be out of here soon.

I dropped off my suitcase, then headed straight out and grabbed a cab to the council hall. I made it just before closing and submitted my application to leave the pack.

It would take effect in seven days. I booked a ship to the northern grasslands for that same day.

Before I met Joe, I was a painter. I'd always wanted to go to the northern grasslands to find inspiration. But I gave up both my career and my dream just to stay with him.

There was nothing left to stop me now.