She Alpha Bullied Me-Now They Kneel

I slammed into the wall, blood and sweat blinding me. "Occupants alive? Status?" "Free us!" Byron pounded steel. "My leg's trapped!" Metal screeched as a searchlight pierced the dark. A rescuer frowned: "Ms. Bancroft, both sires have trapped legs. Emergency-choose one to save first." Through blur, I saw Jessie with Liam and Nora. Her gaze never left Byron: "Save Byron." Cubs wailed: "Save Uncle Byron first!" Rescuer argued: "The other sire's injuries are graver-" "Save Byron!" Her tone iced. As Byron was lifted, the mangled door slammed down on my legs. Agony exploded, but I saw them leave-Jessie supporting Byron, cubs cheering, their lunar forms fading into light. I was left in absolute dark. My lids flutter open to searing white light. Healer's disinfectant stings my nostrils, joined by the steady beep of a vital monitor. "Awake?" A healer peers into my eyes. "Three broken ribs. Luck you arrived in time-" I stare at the ceiling, Jessie's unhesitant choice to save Byron, the metal door slamming down without a backward glance. Attempting to move, pain rips from my chest. Not a tear falls-my heart's numbed by agony. Three moons later, Jessie enters in a beautiful dress. Her gaze lingers on my bandaged torso: "Byron plays piano. His legs can't fail." I study her profile-once my dream, now a distant deity. "Thus, you bear the burden." Her tone's casual as lunar weather. "As steward, mobility matters little." Silence falls. My voice rasps: "Jessie. had I died, would you care?" She frowns, wordless. A black card lands on my table: "This compensates. Raise the cubs, and remain my mate." I laugh. Last life, I died with her title-yet loneliness and fire claimed me. This time, I crave no lunar throne. "Jessie, I-" Her comm howls. Byron's voice purrs: "Jessie, cubs and I await at the diner. A surprise!" Her eyes soften: "On my way." Hanging up, her tone ices: "Pack calls. Chauffeur waits." She leaves. My nails dig into palms, but I hold my tongue. Soon she'll learn the bond break's final-she and the cubs, mere shadows now. I ring for a steward, "Deliver my trunks to the port." An hour later, her contacts delete, the black card abandoned. As the skyship lifts, sunset paints clouds gold. I smile, closing my eyes. No more sacrifices. The days of groveling love fade with this flight. Ahead lies a new dawn-mine alone. Two fortnights in Cloud pack gift me a long-lost calm. I claim a quiet shop, transforming it into "Aidan's Tales." On a rainy day, I stand at the pane, mind blank. A windchime's tinkle spins me around. A tall woman stands there, black umbrella dripping. In her arms, a damp-haired cub of five cowers, big eyes fixed on me. "Do you have picture books for her age?" The woman's voice is gentle. I stare: defined features, laughing eyes, long hair loose. "Daisy Northrop?" My heart pounds. She startles, then gasps: "Aidan Colton?"