Chapter 8

• Viktor
• The night was quiet, but my mind was far from being at peace. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts wouldn’t settle. A book was open in front of me, but I wasn’t really reading. My eyes moved over the words, but nothing really stuck in my mind.
• Then my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and saw Beta James’ name in it.
• That was odd. James never called me this late unless something was seriously wrong.
• So, I picked up right away. “What’s going on?”
• “Meet me outside your house. We need to talk.”
• Then he hung up.
• I stared at the phone, frowning. That was… strange. Beta James was known for his courteous behavior. He followed orders, spoke with respect, and never acted out of line. But just now, there was something off about the way he talked to me. He didn’t explain anything, didn’t give me a reason and just told me to come. That wasn’t like him.
• And I didn’t like it.
• Shoving the book aside, I stood up. My father always told me that being an alpha wasn’t just about strength. If I wanted to lead, I had to be smart, to read people, and to understand what they weren’t saying just as much as what they were.
• I had a feeling this conversation with James was going to test that.
• As I stepped outside, I immediately spotted a familiar figure. He was sitting on the bench near the porch. His posture was heavy and his shoulders were slumped. Even without using my enhanced senses, I knew it was Beta James.
• I took a deep breath and walked toward him. He must have sensed me coming, but he didn’t lift his head or acknowledge me. If I were the type of Alpha who let my ego rule me, I might have taken offense. But I had known Beta James since I was a pup. If he was acting this way, there had to be a reason.
• At least, I hoped there was.
• "Hey," I said as I stopped in front of him.
• Finally, he raised his head. His eyes were red and puffy. I also noticed that his face was a mix of exhaustion and something deeper.
• Something I’d never seen in him before.
• "She's gone," he whispered.
• His voice was barely audible, but the weight behind those two words hit me like a punch to the gut.
• I didn’t need to ask who he meant. I already knew. And despite trying to steel myself, a sharp sting of pain cut through me.
• The mate bond was cruel like that. Even when you rejected it, even when you convinced yourself you had made the right choice, the emptiness still found a way in.
• I clenched my jaw. I had to push this aside. This was what had to be done. Emily was never meant to be my Luna.
• Beta James didn’t say another word. He reached into his pocket, pulled something out, and handed it to me. His gaze flickered toward the tree line and focused on something only he could see.
• I looked down at my hand. A letter.
• From Emily.
• A strange tightness gripped my chest as I unfolded the paper. My pulse quickened as my eyes landed on the first line.
• "Viktor,"
• My throat dried. I forced myself to keep reading.
• "After everything that happened, I can’t face you anymore. I won’t ask for anything, nor will I try to change what’s already done. I just want you to know that I’m letting you go. I hope, one day, you’ll do the same for me.
• Goodbye.
• –Emily."
• A lump formed in my throat.
• I should have expected this. I told myself I was prepared. But nothing could have braced me for the way my heart twisted at her words.
• I swallowed hard and clenched the letter. She was in pain, deep pain. And I was the reason why.
• "Is it true?" Beta James finally spoke, his voice rough. He turned toward me, his eyes sharp and unyielding. "Are you her mate?"
• I exhaled heavily. There was no use in lying now.
• “So, Emily was telling the truth after all.” His voice was bitter. “You and her are mates.”
• "It doesn’t matter," I said flatly.
• Beta James’ expression twisted. His breathing turned harsh. Then, in a flash, he grabbed me by the collar. His shaking grip was an obvious sign of anger.
• "It doesn’t matter?" His voice cracked with fury. "I hit my daughter because of you! I chose to believe you over her because you are my Alpha, and I was loyal to you!"
• His grip tightened. His next words were seething.
• "You drove her away. You chose Bella over her. And now, Emily is gone and it’s all your fault!"
• Draco, my wolf, snarled inside my head. He was raging at the disrespect. But I held him back.
• I wanted to fight back, to defend myself, and to believe that I had done the right thing. That I had sacrificed personal happiness for my duty to the Red Moon Pack. That this was what being an Alpha meant.
• But Beta James was right.
• Emily was gone because of me. Because I had rejected her. Because I had hurt her.
• Beta James finally let go of my collar, but the weight of his words stayed. He took a step back. His jaw was set in cold resolve.
• "If by some miracle she comes back," he said, his voice low but firm, "you will stay away from her. You made your choice. Now deal with it."
• I swallowed hard. My fists were clenched at my sides. I should have put him in his place for speaking to me that way. I had every right to send him to the dungeon for threatening me.
• But I let it slide.
• Because no matter how much I wanted to deny it, I understood exactly why he was saying it. He is a father who lost his daughter because of me.
• Without another word, Beta James turned his back on me and walked away.
• And I was left standing there, alone with my thoughts.