<
2:51
and scolded Gabriel.
“Sending an omega into battle is irresponsible.”
Gabriel shuffled his feet. “It was an accident.”
The doctor sighed, handing him the supplies. “Stay. The wound is deep. She needs to be
monitored for infection.”
At the door, she paused. “Keep it dry. Andrew should probably take care of her.”
The mention of Andrew froze the air. Gabriel
looked at my pale face and gave me a
reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go get him.”
The door slammed shut. I stared out the
window, thinking, What’s the point? Andrew
was probably with Elsa.
But Gabriel actually brought Andrew back. And
Elsa. The small room felt crowded. Andrew
looked at me, his face impatient.
“Are you done yet?”
I stared at him, confused. “What did I do?” “Elsa’s being checked out after being traumatized, and you need me here now?”
“No, Andrew!” Gabriel interjected. “Elisabeth
<
2:51
914
didn’t ask for this. I brought you here!”
“Gabriel, you’re smarter than this. If she hadn’t made a fuss, you wouldn’t have come looking
for me.” He said it with such certainty, as if
he’d seen me causing trouble with his own
eyes.
I laughed, a hollow sound. “Andrew, is that how you see me?”
“Isn’t it? Last time Elsa got hurt, wasn’t it
because you wanted those berries from the cliff?”
His words took me back six months. It was almost Andrew’s birthday. I wanted to surprise him with the berries. But I couldn’t shift. Elsa offered to get them. She climbed the cliff, easily picked the berries, and then, when Andrew
arrived, she deliberately let go and fell.
“What? Cat got your tongue?” Andrew’s taunt brought me back. I didn’t answer. I looked at Elsa and saw the triumph in her eyes. Then, she played the saint.
“It’s okay, Andrew. Elisabeth didn’t mean it…
and Elisabeth, the ceremony is tomorrow. Don’t
<
say things you don’t mean about not being
Andrew’s mate.”
Her fake concern disgusted me. I took a deep
breath and looked at Andrew. “I mean it,
Andrew. Tomorrow, I won’t become your mate.”
I’d loved him since my father brought him into
the pack. But I wasn’t desperate. I wouldn’t
chase him.
Andrew’s face darkened.
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
“I do.”
Breaking the bond, rejecting the Moon
Goddess… it came with a heavy price. I was
just an omega, but I was willing to gamble.
Maybe I’d survive. I couldn’t stand this life
anymore, being led around by Andrew, having
no self. Even if I still loved him.
Silence. Then, Andrew scoffed.
“Elisabeth, don’t come crying to me when you regret this.”
I didn’t speak for the rest of the afternoon.
Watching the sunset, I asked Gabriel, “If I don’t make it, you’ll take me to my father, right?”
