Chapter 5

• NYRA
• I decided against going to my apartment. I couldn't.
• I felt uneasy.
• The text. The shadows. That sudden damn surge of energy I felt.
• Everything bothered me. And I needed to push them aside for now.
• I had other important matters.
• Like canceling a wedding.
• I didn't get to land a knock when the door pushed open.
• "Did you really claw Rivena in front of the whole training ground?"
• I didn't even get to say hi.
• I cracked a dry laugh. "Hi to you too."
• "Come in, tell me everything now." She urged me in.
• When I was done, she looked half horrified, half proud.
• "You really hit Luca in front of Pack members?" Liora looked so excited.
• I lifted a shoulder, pouring myself a drink. "He deserved that, and more."
• I wasn't the type to lose my shit, but whenever it came to Rivena, everything she did just seemed to get on my nerves.
• Not just me. Even Liora looked angry.
• She passed me a thumbs up. "You did great! They both deserved it!" she said, grabbing my drink and drowning it down her throat.
• My gaze sharpened. "That's mine."
• "Oh—" she muttered, eyes half-wide.
• "You know what, let's go get actual drinks at the tavern." She trailed off. I nodded. "—and, I might be able to link you up with hotter guys. I have a girl, she's got plenty of hot guys."
• "Yeah, no. Still got a reputation to uphold."
• "Oh please, we both know you couldn't give two shits about what anyone thinks. Not especially our Pack members."
• I nodded stiffly. "Couldn't be truer."
• "You know, I was worried you would come home crying. I should have known better. You're not one to cry," Liora muttered as we slipped into our seats.
• "Instead, you gave them both a beating. How hotter could you get?"
• I laughed dryly. "Don't you have a shift tonight?" I asked as we hollered a server.
• "I took a day off for you."
• My brows thinned. "Really? Why?"
• She shrugged. "I stupidly thought I would have to console you all night. I was wrong."
• "Regular for me. Moonfire Ale for her. She likes it bold." She winked at the blonde server. He nodded with flushed cheeks before leaving.
• I shook my head.
• She leaned in immediately. "See that? Hot guys everywhere. That darn Luca ain't worth it."
• "He isn't." I leaned closer. "Which is why I need you to help me put up a post."
• Her brows raised immediately.
• She leaned closer.
• "A post?"
• I nodded.
• "About what?"
• "I'm cancelling the alliance. Hashtag wedding's off. Caption—To the Alpha who strays, may he find joy in his gutter bride. I withdraw my claim. That kind of caption to spice things up a bit."
• Liora stared, mouth parted open. "Are you joking?"
• "Of course not." I scoffed, "Thank you," then said as the server dropped our orders.
• "I'm not waiting for them to throw me away. I'm cancelling the bond alliance myself."
• Liora looked on, completely stunned. "You're serious," she asked, more like a statement.
• I lifted my drink to my lips. "Completely. Let's see how Rivena likes me flipping the script." I took a sip and it burned.
• "Hmm, strong," I muttered.
• Liora just watched, lips still slightly parted, looking as though she was struggling to wrap her head around it all.
• "Has Luca's family and yours agreed to this?"
• "I mean." She cleared her throat. "You beat them up one minute, the next they agree to call the bond alliance off?"
• I scoffed. "I don't need their approval."
• "Wow," she muttered speechless.
• "I never wanted this alliance to begin with, remember?"
• "Yes, but—"
• "No but." I cut her off sharply.
• I never had a choice nor a say in this alliance.
• Greyfang ex-Alpha and Elders had opposed the bond formation between Luca and Rivena when it was outed that Rivena wasn't the Voss's bloodline. Hence, she couldn't become Luna.
• Only the one with the Voss's blood running in her veins could.
• My parents had panicked.
• They couldn't miss this golden opportunity.
• They arranged the bond alliance behind my back.
• Luca too, he suddenly changed. He took my side for the first time. He couldn't marry Rivena anymore after all.
• After Rivena left on her own accord, he suddenly became nice. Buying me gifts, showering me with love and attention.
• I had thought he finally saw Rivena's true colors.
• I was wrong.
• Liora finally snapped out of it. "But—I thought you liked Luca too, you agreed easily to the alliance. And you even went to try out the ceremonial wedding gown two days ago. Why?"
• She looked at me confusedly.
• My gaze darkened. 'Why?'
• “I never liked him.”
• “Then why agree to marry him?”
• I had my reasons.
• But I didn’t say.
• I Couldn’t.
• "You're asking too many questions. Put up the post. Include the photo of them together at the healer's clinic. A clear one."
• She looked like she wanted to speak further, but eventually gave it up.
• "If you say so," she muttered instead.
• "I just hope you truly don't love him. I don't want you to get hurt."
• She immediately logged onto her phone—then to PackLink. It's the werewolves gossip channel without involving the humans.
• Words spread instantly through the territory, faster than wildfire.
• She soon uploaded the post, adding my caption and including a clear photo making sure the OBY-GYN department was highlighted.
• Within seconds, whispers rippled through the tavern. Wolves turned their heads as the PackLink spread.
• Warriors at the nearby table looked stunned, some smirked approvingly while some cast me hateful glances.
• I didn't flinch, just grabbed another drink.
• "They're talking," Liora whispered.
• I shrugged. "Let them. Better a rebel than a pawn."
• I leaned back, watching the tavern erupt into mayhem.
• Liora's eyes suddenly widened.
• "What?"
• "Luca. He's calling."
• I glanced down at my phone, truly his name flashed on the caller's ID.
• I leaned back, a smirk decorating my lips.
• Soon, tons of messages swooped in.
• Mom. Dad. Elders. Luca.
• And then a last message popped up.
• ~You've disgraced this Pack. The council summons you to the hall~
• I swirled the last of my drink, then drowned it in a go.
• I then typed a reply.
• ~I'll be there~