Bound by Alpha's Deception: My Step-Brother's Secret Vengeance novel Chapter 5

My nails dug into my palms, deep enough to break the skin—blood dripping in slow, dark rivulets down my skin.

"I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?"

"If anyone should be apologizing—it’s you!"

Percival's eyes flashed with disappointment, the amber glow fading to cold judgment.

"When did you become this feral, Rosiane? You're behaving like an untamed half-blood with no respect for pack hierarchy!"

Before I could respond, Alpha Alfred stepped forward.

"Take Eloise to the healers first. I’ll handle things here"

Percival gathered Eloise in his arms, carrying her from our territory with protective possessiveness.

Mother followed Alpha Alfred with her head bowed, murmuring apologies.

Six years of what I believed was true pack-bonding evaporated like morning mist.

I quickly gathered my essential belongings and fled to neutral territory—a lodge that accepted lone wolves between packs.

Before leaving, I carefully extracted the enchanted seeing-stone from the wolf totem he'd given me, its red eyes now dark and lifeless.

I packaged it with a formal pack-challenge rune and sent it to Percival.

Timing it so the package would arrive precisely on his Mating Ceremony day.

I believed my departure would end this painful charade.

Yet that night, Percival sent a mind-link trying to explain.

"Eloise agreed to put on a show for the ceremony. It’s something I owe her. You hurt her today, Rosiane. Requesting your submission was only to prevent Father from sensing discord. Don't read more into it."

"Take a break, okay? I had a dress made for you. Wear it to the ceremony. Be good, Rosiane. I’m still your brother. That will never change."

But I understood now. This performance wasn't for Alpha Alfred's benefit.

It was for me.

Only my complete departure would truly end the game.

For the next two days, I avoided our pack territory.

Percival was absent as well.

He busied himself with ceremony preparations.

He spent hours selecting silver and moonstones for Eloise.

"Brother, may your mating bring you joy."

He paused, confusion flickering across our mind-link before his tone warmed.

"When did you start using my formal title? I prefer hearing my name from your lips."

"Wait for me. My scent will find yours soon."

The mental link severed as I boarded the vessel that would carry me across the Great Waters.

I permanently severed all pack-bonds connected to him.

As the Mating Ceremony began...

Percival's mind kept returning to our final communication, unease growing within his chest.

Just as he prepared to leave for our den...

Lloyd burst through the entrance, clutching a damaged seeing-stone, its enchantment broken.

"The hunt has failed! Rosiane discovered your memory-capturing totem!"

"She took the Blood Moon Crossing at dawn, but the vessel was caught in a silver storm and sank beneath the waves!"