The Alpha's Dirty Little Secret No More

"Your request to leave the pack has been denied."

Killian threw the papers onto my hospital bed.

"On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that I said so," he said, his tone absolute. "You have work to finish."

I glanced at the Alpha and his mate. They stood up awkwardly.

"We'll be going," Rose said, patting my hand. "Get some rest."

The room was empty except for me and Killian.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes dangerous. "Freya, don't test my patience."

Two hours later, I was dragged out of the hospital.

Killian’s Rolls-Royce was waiting.

"Get in."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

The car stopped in front of the city's most exclusive boutique.

Valentina Couture. Vivian's favorite.

"Mr. Blackwood!" the store manager greeted him, fawning. "The gowns you requested are all ready."

"Go try them on," he said, pointing at me.

My heart leaped. These were Luna gowns. He wanted me to try them.

Was he giving up the union? Did he want me to be his Luna?

"This way, please." The manager led us to the VIP fitting area.

The lavish room was filled with dozens of priceless gowns.

Every single one was designed for a Luna's coronation.

"Start with this one," Killian said, pointing to a white gown covered in diamonds.

His voice held the Alpha's command.

I walked into the dressing room under his gaze.

The moment I zipped it up, Killian pushed the door open and came inside.

"Killian, you…"

He kissed me.

Hard, possessive, and absolute.

"Mmph…"

I tried to push him away, but his hand was clamped on the back of my head, holding me in place.

"I know I messed up," he whispered against my ear. "I sent a team back for you. The second I could. Just be good... and I'll make this right."

His hands roamed my body. My resolve crumbled.

Maybe… maybe he did love me. Maybe he was just forced by his family.

Even with the bond nearly broken, the pull of a fated mate was too much to resist.

An hour later, it was over. He straightened his clothes, his expression once again cold.

"What do you think of this one?"

I looked down at the wrinkled white dress.

"What?"

"Does it suit Vivian?" he mused, walking a slow circle around me. "The waist is a bit tight. The bust is perfect."

I froze. My blood ran cold.

"You had me try these on... for her?"

"To choose her Mating announcement ceremony gown," he said, like it was obvious. "You and Vivian have the same build. It's efficient."

Blood rushed to my head.

"There are a dozen more. Keep going."

For the next two hours, I was a human mannequin, changing in and out of gowns.

A tulle dress, a lace gown, a velvet robe…

He inspected each one.

"This one shows too much of Vivian's chest."

"This color doesn't suit her skin tone."

Finally, I put on a pure white mermaid-style gown.

It was the store's masterpiece, named "The Alpha's True Love."

When I walked out, Killian's eyes lit up.

He stood and walked toward me, his burning gaze raking over my body.

For a moment, I thought he was looking at me.

"Perfect," he breathed, his knuckles grazing the lace over my collarbone. "It’s as if it was designed for her. Vivian will be radiant."

He looked up, his eyes turning back to that suffocating, cold indifference.

"This is the one," he said, his eyes cold again. "Take it off. And don't get it dirty."

Don't get it dirty.

All the suppressed pain, humiliation, and grief exploded.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and laughed.

"Take it off?"

I grabbed a pair of tailor's scissors from a nearby table.

Killian frowned. "Freya, what are you doing? Put the scissors down."

"You want this gown for Vivian?" I was crying, but my smile grew wider. "Fine. She can have it."

RIIIP!

The sound of tearing lace echoed in the silent room.

Killian's pupils shrank. "You're insane!"

I didn't stop.

I tore at the dress like a madwoman, the scissors slicing through fabric and skin.

Blood seeped out, staining the white gown red.

"Here's your 'Alpha's True Love'!" I screamed, ripping the ruined dress from my body and throwing the scraps in his face.

"Here!" I screamed. "Take your 'True Love' and give it to your precious Vivian!"

"Killian Blackwood, you disgust me! As a wolf, you've trampled on the most basic dignity of a mate!"

I closed my eyes, summoning all the mental strength I had left.

I reached into my mind, found the bond that tied my soul to his... and I tore it to shreds.

"What are you doing? Stop!" Killian seemed to realize my intention. His face went pale, and he lunged to stop me.

Too late.

A wave of agony hit me, but it felt good.

"Goodbye."

I turned and ran out of the shop, leaving him standing there, stunned and speechless, in the middle of the mess.

Then I sent a message to Maya.

[Buy me a ticket for tomorrow morning. I'm not waiting another second.]

————

That night, Killian paced his study, agitated.

Freya had vanished.

He instinctively tried to call her through the Mind-link, to command her to come back and apologize, just like all the other times.

[Killian: Freya, stop this tantrum and get back here.]

But where her presence should have been, there was only a gaping, silent void.

He called again. Freya!

Nothing.

The tether was gone.

Killian's hand tightened around his glass until it shattered, shards digging into his palm.

The woman who had always answered, always obeyed, was silent.

For the first time in five years, he called her name in the darkness of his mind. And there was only silence.