He Came Back Begging After The Damage Was Already Done.

Mira's

The party continued as if I didn't exist. I wasn't surprised, I'd never belonged here. For five years, I'd been nothing but a replacement, a scapegoat, someone to blame for their pain while they healed in their own ways.

I'd always felt sorry for Jace, believing his hatred stemmed from grief, but now I realized some wounds weren't mine to heal.

When the last guest finally left, Ragnar cornered me with his eyes filled with disgust.

"Clean this mess up," he ordered, gesturing to the broken glasses and spilled drinks littering from earlier party games. "When you're done with everything outside, pack up all the trash, and maybe then you can come back in." He reached into a nearby closet and tossed cleaning supplies at my feet. "And for Luna's sake, stop looking so pathetic. You're embarrassing yourself."

I nodded silently, too tired to argue as he turned and walked away, his arm sliding around Isabella's waist. They laughed together, whispering as they climbed the stairs to our bedroom

The night air bit into my skin as I gathered broken plates and half-empty glasses, wincing as pieces of glass sliced my already injured hands.

For hours I worked, cleaning every trace of the celebration that had become my humiliation. When I finally finished, I tried the door handle, only to find it locked.

I knocked harder when no one responded. Inside, someone had turned the music up to a loud volume. I pounded with both fists until my knuckles bruised.

"Hello? Can someone open the door!" I called, my voice breaking from the cold.

"Please, it's freezing out here! Let me in!"

Jace's face appeared at the window. "My dad's busy with Aunt Isabella right now. They told me to tell you they need private time."

"Jace, please," I begged, my teeth chattering. "Just open the door."

"Why would I help a murderer?" he spat. "You should have died instead of my mom. Maybe the cold will finish what the stairs couldn't!"

His laughter faded as he disappeared back into the warmth of the house. I tried every door, every window, finding each one securely locked. Desperate and shivering violently, I made my way around to the back of the house where my bedroom window overlooked the garden.

Through the curtains, I could see them, Ragnar and Isabella, naked on the bed that was supposed to be mine. The bed I'd been banished from months ago when he claimed he couldn't stand my touch.

“She's pathetic," Isabella moaned as Ragnar moved over her. "The way she just stands there taking everything. No wonder you can't stand to touch her."

"She means nothing to me," Ragnar growled. "Never has. The only reason I keep her around is to avoid the scandal of rejecting a mate. Once Jace's old enough, I'll get rid of her for good."

"Promise?" Isabella purred, wrapping her legs around him.

"I promise. You're the only one I want. You've always been the one."

I stumbled backward. All this time, I thought I was enduring punishment for a crime I didn't commit. Now I realized the truth—I'd been kept in a cage serving a purpose until I wasn't needed anymore.

The wind began to howl around me, snow beginning to fall as I lied against the house. The old dog cage in the corner of the yard was the only shelter available. I crawled inside and was surrounded by the smell of wet fur and poop.

Hours later, the back door finally opened. I stumbled inside, my limbs nearly frozen to find Ragnar in the kitchen with his shirt misbuttoned and Isabella's lipstick smeared across his neck.

“Where have you been?" he demanded, not bothering to hide the evidence of his night with her.

I walked past him without a word, heading straight to our bedroom. I pulled my suitcase from under the bed and began filling it with what little I could call my own.

Ragnar leaned against the doorframe. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm leaving," I said quietly, continuing to pack. "And I reject our bond. Accept it or not, I'm done."

He laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. "You can't reject what saved you from prison. You're mine until I say otherwise."

"I'd rather face silver bars than spend another day in this hell," I replied, zipping the suitcase shut. "Jace has Isabella now. He doesn't need me, and neither do you."

Ragnar's eyes darkened. "You ungrateful little—" He grabbed my arm, fingers digging in painfully. "You think I'll just let you walk away? After everything we've done for you?"

"What have you done except punish me for a crime I didn't commit?" I wrenched my arm free. "I'm done being your prisoner."

His nostrils flared. "You smell like a wet dog. Go clean yourself up and make breakfast. You're embarrassing yourself with this pathetic display."

"I'd rather die than spend another minute pretending to be part of this family," I said, lifting my suitcase.

As I turned toward the door, Jace's voice rang out from the hallway.

"Wait! I have a gift for you before you go!"

I turned, foolishly hoping for some reconciliation.

Instead, I saw Jace's small hands gripping his birthday bow, an arrow already notched. His eyes was filled with hatred as he released the string.

"This is for my mother," he whispered.

The arrow flew straight and true, aimed directly at my heart.