Chapter 36

• Anita’s Pov
• Ever since my mate rejected me, I had given up on the fantasy that a mate was meant to be my protector or savior. It was a harsh lesson to learn, but I had no choice. The bond that was supposed to be my safety net had unraveled, leaving me in freefall. The emptiness it in me left was so deep, but it wasn’t something I wanted to dwell on any longer. Instead, I had one goal after that fateful day: to secure a place in a pack. That’s why, when a stranger came to me, claiming to be my mate and offering marriage as a way into his pack, I agreed. It wasn’t about love or fate, it was for just survival.
• For the longest time, I had convinced myself it was a smart move. And it was, to a degree. Joining the pack had given me protection and a sense of belonging, though temporary. I played my role, kept my head down, and survived. But now, as I stood on the verge of annulling that bond, something felt different. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t broken. I was ready to close that chapter of my life without a second thought.