an's

fully process what she'd just said. The slap had sobered me

wled within me, surprisingly

d internally. *It's just a

ice dropping to that dangerous timber

hadn't seen in her for... had I ever seen it? Something about her seemed different

s that so hard to understand?!" she spat, her vo

elieving smirk forming on my lips.

teady despite the tears drying on her

learly a ploy for attention-some desperate attempt to make me chase her after what had

g my tie further. "A little late for that strat

said, moving away when I step

ed within me, surprisingly up

te,* I reminded my wol

mpliant, accommodating-the perfect silent partner who kept my home running smo

id dismissively. "You've

he sound cracking at the edges. "I've been nothi

on was hiding something, so I stared directly into her

to soften my tone, "I have responsibilities to the pack

u anymore," she whispered. "Yo

do?" I asked with exaggerated pati

haven't worked in two years, Allison. You've been a h

desperately to fulfill the role of Luna, despite the

ticizing everything from her table manners to her inability to t

ady. "I'm doing you a favor, Lucian. Do you really want her to remain

ion snapping through

ence, your

i?" I demanded, anger masking my shock. "Have

bitter. "That's what you think o

verywhere, Lucian. Did you really think y

my hair. "Are you divorcing me because of Heidi? Don't be r

hy I'm divorcing you? Let me ask you something first. Where were you the

with Heidi at the hospital. Guilt fli

" I answered stiffly

ntil tears formed in her eyes. "You'll n

spine. "What are

turned away, moving toward

s. *"Don't let her go, " *he grow

alized she'd already folded two sweat

What about your mother? Who wi

till to me. Then she resumed folding.

s-do you have any idea what that costs? Where would a housewife like you get

made something in me recoil. "You're despicable! I regre

h your tone. I

amber as Jasmine surfaced, and the words th

as my mate and Alpha. I sever our bond and w

tween us like jagged shards of ice. A sharp pain ripp

ison didn't even flinch. She turned back to her packing, meth

apped the zipper shut with a decisive cli

me, her voice d

o chew on before I go. You reall

eath

-o

I enjoy our pathetic excuse for intimacy. Lucian. You can't please a

eper than I admit

wled in h

teeth half-shifted now

r you. Hell, I don't even pity you. Keep your little porcelain heire

"Don't come crying back when you

ng away," she said, eyes glinting with

tation, no backward glance. Just the sound of her heels

emanded. *She is OURS. W

s she trying to threaten me with divorce? O

p. No one could disrupt my plans. L

she realized what life without the protec

efinitely be

ownstairs, my phone rang. Heidi'

the hollow feeling in my chest and

the phone, "I was jus