After My Mate Marked the Alpha’s Daughter, I Walked Away

An hour later, I stood in our bedroom, methodically folding the few belongings I'd decided to keep. The room still smelled of us—of five years together—but soon it would only smell of him and her.

My hands trembled as I zipped up my bag. Five years of memories. Five years of lies. Five years of loving a man who could trade me away like a bargaining chip.

The door burst open without warning.

"Where do you think you're going?" Austin demanded, filling the doorway with his imposing frame.

I didn't look up. "Away."

He stalked toward me, the scent of Quinn and fresh blood clinging to him like a second skin. "You can't just leave. You're being ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" I finally met his gaze, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "Is that what you call it when someone refuses to be your mistress after you publicly humiliate them?"

"It wasn't like that." He reached for my hands, but I pulled away. "I did it for us. For the pack. Don't you see what this alliance means?"

"Us?" The word tasted bitter. "There is no us, Austin. There's you and your ambition."

His expression hardened. "I'm the Beta. Sometimes decisions have to be made for the greater good."

"Greater good?" I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "Is that what you're calling it?"

As I moved toward the door, he blocked my path. "You're not thinking clearly. Where would you even go? You're nothing without this pack."

"I said, move."

When he didn't budge, he tried something else—something he'd never tried before.

"As your Beta, I command you to stay."

I waited for the weight of his command to crush me. For the submission that had been bred into me as an Omega to take hold.

Nothing happened.

We both stared at each other, shocked.

"You can't..." he whispered.

"I can't what?" I stepped around him, grabbing my bag. "You forgot, Austin. I was never really yours to command."

He grabbed my arm. "You'll die out there as a rogue."

I looked down at his hand, then back at him. My eyes flashed gold—just for an instant—but enough to make him step back.

"Perhaps," I said softly. "But I'd rather die free than live another day as your lie."

---

New York City loomed before me, a glittering fortress of glass and steel. Two days of hitchhiking and bus rides had brought me here—to the place I'd run from five years ago.

The Lycan Council building dominated the skyline, its spires reaching toward the moon like claws. Home. The word felt strange on my tongue.

I approached the entrance, my worn backpack a stark contrast to the polished marble and gold filigree. Two guards stepped forward, their expressions impassive.

"State your business," one demanded.

I straightened my spine, feeling something awaken within me—something I'd buried deep for five years.

"My business?" I repeated, letting my aura flare just enough to make their eyes widen. "I'm home."

The guards exchanged glances, then one reached for his radio. "We need verification—"

"Verification?" I let my aura expand fully this time.

Both guards dropped to one knee instantly, heads bowed. "Princess Gia."

The doors swung open without prompting. I stepped inside, leaving my backpack with the stunned guards. From here on, I wouldn't need it.

---

"Father."

The Lycan King turned slowly, his imposing figure silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows of his study. For a moment, neither of us moved.

"Gia." His voice broke on my name.

I crossed the room in three strides and fell into his arms. He held me fiercely, as if I might disappear again.

"I'm sorry," I whispered against his chest. "I'm sorry I ran."

His hand stroked my hair, just as it had when I was a child. "I'm sorry I drove you away."

We stood there for a long moment, the years between us dissolving like mist.

---

Two months later, I stood before the mirror in my chambers, hardly recognizing myself. The royal attire—silver and white, embroidered with the Lycan crest—felt both foreign and familiar against my skin.

"Princess," my handmaiden said, fastening the last pearl button. "The Council is assembled."

I nodded, squaring my shoulders. "It's time."

---

Miles away, in the territory I'd once called home, chaos reigned.

Austin slammed his fist on the table. "What do you mean, the supply lines are failing?"

The pack's supply manager trembled. "The renewal codes... we don't have them. Only Gia knew them."

"Well, figure it out!" Austin roared.

From the doorway, Quinn sighed dramatically. "This place is disgusting. It smells like Omegas."

"That's because they live here," Austin snapped.

"And now they're complaining about the Luna spending pack funds on clothes," Lily Evans added quietly from her position near the wall.

Austin ran his hands through his hair. "This is temporary. Once we get the trade agreements back on track—"

"If we get them back on track," Lily corrected.

Austin's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Lily said, meeting his gaze steadily, "that without Gia, this pack falls apart."

The truth of her words hung in the air like a curse.