Primal Reckoning
I turned to see Karl, nearly unrecognizable in his exhausted state.
Snow covered the ground, yet sweat beaded on his forehead. He panted heavily, staring at me with desperate intensity, as if afraid I might vanish.
My instinct was to slam the door, but he caught my wrist.
He pulled me against his chest, holding me so tightly I could feel his racing heartbeat. His Alpha scent was tinged with distress pheromones.
“Isabelle… Isabelle…” His voice trembled, breaking on my name.
“I was wrong, so wrong. Please don’t punish me like this.”
“Without you, I can’t function. I can’t breathe.”
Hot tears slid down my neck, but I turned away in revulsion.
I couldn’t comprehend his performance. He had betrayed our mating bond, yet now acted wounded and repentant.
Was it true that Alphas only value what they’ve lost?
“Let go,” I commanded coldly.
Karl remained immobile, his arms locked around me.
Finally, I couldn’t contain myself: “LET GO!”
My shout carried enough force that Karl’s body tensed before he reluctantly released me.
“I know I’ve failed you,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I swear on the Moon Goddess, I’ll never contact Natalie again.”
“I’ll do anything you ask. We can hold a proper ceremony under the full moon. I don’t blame you for the pup–we’re young still, we can try again.”
“Please… come back with me?”
His eyes searched mine desperately.
I stepped back in disgust, increasing the distance between us.
“Did you read what I left for you?”
“I want our mating bond severed.”
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Primal Reckoning
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Karl paled further, his powerful frame trembling visibly.
“What severance? Isabelle, don’t joke about sacred bonds.”
“How could we end what we’ve built over eight years?”
“You must have hated the ceremony I planned. My taste has always been inferior to yours. When you return, we’ll arrange everything according to your wishes…”
Karl rambled frantically, appearing unhinged.
I interrupted him sharply: “How can you, an unfaithful mate, speak to me about sacred bonds?
Panic flashed in his eyes before he struggled to explain.
“It wasn’t like that. I was temporarily confused, but my heart always belonged to you.”
“I never imagined we would separate. We were supposed to build a family together, have pups, grow old under the same moon.”
“Is your version of happiness just repeated betrayal?” I demanded. “Did you enjoy watching me love you faithfully while I struggled with pregnancy sickness? Did that make you proud?”
Karl became increasingly distressed, his eyes reddening to Alpha crimson.
“Never! I know how hard you’ve worked, but the pack needed leadership. How else could I provide for you and our future?”
“Isabelle… I’ve suffered too.”
I clenched my fists, bitter laughter escaping me.
He continued his charade of confusion, performing this theatrical display of devotion while the truth lay exposed between us.
“How many of your ‘border patrols‘ were real?”
“You and Natalie have been sharing your lives online for three years. Every winter solstice, you promised to spend it with me, but at Natalie’s first call, you’d run to her.”
“For three years, you’ve traveled with her across territories, created countless memories. Yet when we mated, you couldn’t spare time for even a proper ceremony.”
“Last winter solstice, you accompanied her to fertility treatments but stopped because you feared for her safety. What about me? What was I to you? A convenient broodmare? An obstacle to your true happiness?”
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Primal Reckoning
Karl stood shocked, unable to respond.
I curled my lips into a mocking smile.
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“The fertility treatments were for Natalie, not me. Did you think I wouldn’t discover the truth?”
“I’m not a fool, Karl.”
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