Chapter 16
Riley’s POV
I knew it long ago–they never cared about me. But hearing Alpha Alaric’s words still sent a sharp ache through my chest.
He couldn’t even pretend to love me. Not for a second.
I kept my expression impassive. On the outside, I looked as stubborn and cold as ever. No one could tell how badly I was bleeding on the inside.
“Fine,” I said.
Alaric’s brow furrowed. “What did you just say?”
I lifted my eyes and looked at the four figures watching from the second–floor landing.
“I said fine. I’ll leave the Ebonclaw Pack. Starting today. I sever all ties. Don’t worry, Alpha Alaric, Luna Zara–I won’t cling to you.”
Even if I die out there, I’ll never come crawling back. That was the vow I made in my heart.
I turned. No more hesitation. I had no illusions left about this place. Three years of pain had taught me better than to hope for love that never existed.
Each step away from them was agony. My leg throbbed with every movement, but I kept going. For the first time in years, there was light ahead of me. Not hope. Not happiness. Just freedom.
I flung open the front door and didn’t look back. Not once.
Behind me, Kael’s voice broke through the air like a whip.
“Riley! You get back here right now-!”
The roar echoed through the manor, fierce and desperate.
But I didn’t turn around.
I couldn’t hear it clearly anyway. My right ear hadn’t worked properly in years, and with the door closed behind me, it all became a faint blur.
It didn’t matter what he shouted. None of it did anymore.
For the first time in years, I felt the weight lift. My body was tired–so, so tired–but my spirit felt lighter.
Five minutes into my walk, I spotted someone approaching from the opposite direction.
At this hour?
I instinctively stepped into the shadows beneath a flickering streetlamp.
As the figure drew closer, I recognized the tall, lean silhouette. Theo.
Kael’s friend. The so–called Healer.
My stomach turned.
I remembered the first time I met him. He looked me up and down like I was a stray mutt, then sneered, “So this is the long- løst sister? Doesn’t look like much. If it weren’t for her eyes, I’d say you picked her up off the street.”
Kael didn’t defend me. He just exhaled through his nose, like he agreed.
That hurt more than Theo’s words ever could.
I was fifteen. Just a girl trying to belong. And they made sure I knew I didn’t.
Theo passed right by me now, oblivious to my presence in the dark.
I watched until he disappeared inside the manor.
Probably here to treat Kael. Again.
1 stepped out from the shadows and moved faster. I had a plan.
Originally, I wanted to find a cheap motel and rest for the night. Then, tomorrow, start looking for work.
But now? That wasn’t enough.
I needed to leave the city. Leave Ebonclaw behind.
I’d heard them in the study. Alaric wanted me to bow my head and kneel before Ronan’s comatose sister–to pay didn’t commit.
They all knew it was Scarlett who pushed her.



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