Chapter 3

WREN ASHWOOD

His words echoed in my head and in the sitting room, accompanied by the sound of our picture crashing on the floor.

I watched Becky smile triumphantly as she wrapped her arms around Soren's neck.

She tilted her head. "You're so sweet."

Neither of them noticed me as I quietly turned around and walked back upstairs.

No matter how I convinced myself that I wouldn't be affected, my heart still spasmed repeatedly in my chest.

Mate.

My wolf whimpered once again but I ignored her.

I walked into my bedroom, slamming the door shut.

My phone on the bed vibrated loudly.

With an annoyed sigh, I picked it up.

An unknown number had sent me a message.

Hello, Wren.

I stared at the screen, my brows furrowed.

Another message came in almost immediately.

I think we should finally talk.

Before I could respond, another message appeared, this time, there was an image attached.

My fingers froze as I stared at the screen, then slowly opened it.

The picture was clearly taken in a hotel room.

Soren was shirtless, sitting on a large white bed and Becky was wrapped around him, dressed in nothing but a red lace underwear.

My stomach churned at the image.

My phone vibrated repeatedly against my palm as more images and videos poured in, including pictures of conversations.

My chest tightened as I clicked on one of the screenshots.

Soren: Baby, don't be mad. Wren and I have to complete the bonding ceremony so I can be alpha.

Becky: I know, I am still jealous though.

Soren: Don't worry babe, I will make it up to you tonight.

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Of course, I was his ticket to the Alpha title and he couldn't simply leave me, not until he got what he wanted.

Another video arrived but I didn't open it.

I knew exactly what Becky wanted.

She wanted me to rage, to fight her, to edge me into doing something destructive but I knew better.

I would never give her that satisfaction.

With a smile on my lips, I pressed the save button.

My phone vibrated again.

Unknown Number: Aren't you going to say anything?

I stared at the message, then typed.

Wren: Thank you.

The typing bubble appeared immediately.

Unknown Number: For what?

Wren: For the evidence.

Unknown Number: You're fucking weird.

My smile widened and I blocked the number.

Then backed everything up.

...

"I need to disappear."

I stared at the last message I had sent to the unknown string of numbers.

The reply came twenty minutes later.

Grey Route: From whom?

I stared at the screen, then typed.

An Alpha.

The reply came almost immediately.

Grey Route: That costs more.

I had heard about the Grey route when I was younger.

At that time, it was a whispered secret amongst younger and older werewolves.

They talked about how they smuggled people away and how expensive it was.

So I expected this.

Wren: Money isn't a problem.

Grey Route replied immediately. "Where are you?"

I gave them only the necessary information. "Ashwood territory."

The rest of the conversation was short.

They would arrange the route, a scent masker, false trails, transportation through neutral territory, then a boat.

I stared at that part of the plan for a long time.

My absence would give Soren exactly what he wanted, except...

He wouldn't get my title and my authority.

I leaned back in my chair, my heart pounding painfully.

It was terrifying, leaving everything behind but staying was going to be worse.

And I didn't want that.

...

AN HOUR LATER

My bedroom door opened without warning

I quickly shut my laptop as my gaze landed on Soren who stood in the doorway.

His eyes landed on me."What are you doing?"

"Planning for tomorrow's ceremony." I replied.

"You should get some rest." He murmured as he stepped into the room, in his hand was a small velvet box.

"What is that?" I asked, chin tilted.

"A gift."

My lips twitched at his answer.

Soren wasn't particularly generous, not because he couldn't afford things but because he never really saw the point.

We had been together for 10 years and the gifts he gave me could be counted on two palms.

"Why did you get me a gift?"

His expression darkened immediately. "Wren." Then he sighed and handed me the box. "It's just an appreciation gift."

Tentatively, I took the box from him, brows raised.

Inside was a silver brooch with a wolf insignia carved onto it.

My gaze burned into the beautiful brooch, a wry smile on my lips.

If it was the Wren from yesterday, she would have cried out in joy while throwing her arms around his neck.

Instead, the wren of today snapped the lid shut. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

Soren smiled then stepped closer. "What about my kiss?"

I visibly recoiled, my stomach churning at the thought of kissing him.

Especially after he had used those same lips to kiss Becky and even pleasure her.

I shook my head. "Stop fooling Soren. I think I need to take that nap." I faked a yawn.

He looked at me for a few seconds then nodded. "Okay, after tomorrow, everything will be over. You won't have to stress like this ever again." His cheeks dimpled as he smiled.

I knew exactly what he was referring to.

Taking over my Alpha duties in the pack.

"Yeah, sure."

He nodded in satisfaction then stepped closer and pressed a kiss on my cheeks. "I love you. Don't ever forget that."

I watched his retreating back, and ugly smile on my lips. "I love you."

Then I added in my head

"But not anymore.”