Chapter 2
Elowen's POV
Casper's hand stayed on my waist. His heat burned through the thin fabric of my dress. I couldn't stop shaking. Tears blurred my vision. Drake stood there, half-dressed, pathetic. The blonde had vanished into the trees. Good. I didn't want to see her face again.
"El, please, let me explain!" Drake's voice cracked. He stepped forward. "This is a mistake, babe. I was drunk, she meant nothing—"
"Shut up." The words fell from my lips. Cold. Hard. I barely recognized my own voice.
Casper's grip tightened. "You heard her. Leave."
"This is between me and my girlfriend!" Drake snapped. His green eyes flashed. "Stay out of it, Thornwood."
"Ex-girlfriend," I said. My chest ached with each breath. "We're done."
"No. No, you don't get to decide that!" Drake lunged forward. Casper moved fast. He blocked Drake with his body. A low growl rumbled from his chest. The sound made my wolf spirit stir.
Let me out! I'll rip his throat! Juno screamed inside my head. Her rage burned hot. I swallowed hard.
"Touch her again and I'll break every bone in your body," Casper said. His voice was quiet. Deadly. "Try me."
Drake backed off. His face twisted with anger. "This isn't over, Elowen. You'll regret this."
He stormed away into the darkness. I watched him go. My legs felt weak. Casper turned to face me. His amber eyes searched mine. Concern softened his features.
"Let me take you home," he said gently.
"No." I stepped back. His hand fell away. The cold air rushed in. I wrapped my arms around myself. "I need to do this alone."
"Little wolf—"
"Please, Casper." My voice broke. More tears spilled. "Just... not now."
He studied me for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Leaving that asshole is the best thing for you."
His words hit hard. I turned away. My heels sank into the soft earth as I walked. The path back to the parking lot felt endless. My chest hurt. My head spun. The alcohol mixed with heartbreak made everything fuzzy.
I needed to get my things. I couldn't stay in that apartment another night.
The drive to Drake's place took fifteen minutes. My hands shook on the steering wheel. I parked outside the small apartment building. The lights were off inside. Good. Maybe he was still in the woods. I didn't want to see his face.
I unlocked the door. The familiar scent hit me. His cologne. Our shared space. It made my stomach turn. I flipped on the lights. Everything looked the same. The couch where we watched movies. The kitchen table where we ate breakfast. All lies now.
Get your stuff and leave, Juno urged. This place reeks of him.
I grabbed a duffel bag from the closet. Started throwing clothes inside. My favorite jeans. Some shirts. Underwear. I moved fast. Each item felt heavy with memories. I wanted to burn it all.
The front door slammed. I froze. Drake stood in the doorway. His hair was messy. Shirt buttoned wrong. Fury darkened his face.
"What the hell are you doing?" he demanded.
"Leaving." I didn't look at him. Kept packing. "What does it look like?"
"You can't just leave!" He crossed the room. Grabbed my arm. Hard. "We need to talk about this!"
I yanked free. "Talk? You were fucking someone else in the woods!"
"You drove me to it!" he shouted. His eyes blazed. "Wearing that dress, flirting with Casper all night! What did you expect?"
My mouth fell open. "Are you serious right now?"
"You were practically begging for his attention!" Drake's voice rose higher. "That dress barely covered anything! You wanted him to look at you!"
He's lying, Juno hissed. This isn't the first time. I can smell her on his clothes. Old scent. Weeks old.
My stomach dropped. "How long?" I whispered.
"What?"
"How long have you been cheating?" My voice came out flat. Dead. "Tell me the truth for once."
Drake's face twisted. "It doesn't matter! This is about you throwing yourself at another man!"
"Answer the question!"
"A few months!" he yelled. "Maybe longer! I don't know! Does it matter? You never fuck me anymore. Every time we get in bed, my dick goes limp before we even start."
The room spun. Months. While I thought we were building something. While I ignored every red flag. Every cancelled date. Every cold shoulder. My eyes burned. But I was done crying for him.
"We're finished," I said quietly. "Don't contact me again."
"Your mother won't allow it." Drake's tone changed. Calculating now. "You're supposed to marry me."
My hands clenched into fists. "I'm not property."
"You think you have a choice?" He laughed. Bitter. Mean. "You're a Beta's daughter. Barely worth noticing. I gave you status. Without me, you're nothing in this pack."
Heat flooded my veins. My vision flickered. Gold edged into my sight. Juno pushed forward. Hard. My wolf wanted blood.
"Get out of my way," I growled.
Drake's eyes widened. He saw the gold in mine. Saw my wolf surface. Good. Let him be afraid.
"El, wait—"
"Move!" The command came from somewhere deep. Primal. My voice echoed with Juno's power.
He stumbled back. I grabbed my bag. Pushed past him. My shoulder hit his chest hard. He didn't try to stop me again. Smart choice.
"You'll regret this!" he called after me. "I'll make sure you have no place in this pack! You hear me?"
I didn't answer. Slammed the door behind me. Ran to my car. Threw the bag in the back seat. My hands shook as I started the engine. I drove. Didn't know where. Just away. Away from him. Away from that life.
Good, Juno purred. We're free now.
Free. The word felt strange. Scary. But maybe... maybe right.
I ended up at the Thornwood pack house. The massive building loomed in the darkness. Lights glowed warm in the windows. My car idled at the gate. What was I doing here? Where else could I go? My mother would take Drake's side. She always did. Said I was lucky he wanted me. That I should be grateful.
I grabbed my phone. Texted Cindy.
Can I stay with you tonight? Please?
Three dots appeared. Then her reply.
OMG yes! Come to my room! Third floor, east wing!
Relief washed over me. I drove through the gate. Parked near the main entrance. The pack house was quiet this late. Most wolves were asleep. I grabbed my bag. Walked up the stone steps. The door was unlocked. Inside, the foyer stretched out. Expensive furniture. Pack photos on the walls. This was Alpha territory. I didn't belong here.
But Cindy wanted me. That was enough.
I climbed the stairs. Found the east wing. Cindy's door was cracked open. Light spilled out. I knocked softly.
"Come in!" her voice sang out.
I pushed the door open. Cindy sat on her huge bed. Her hair was down now. Loose waves everywhere. She wore silk pajamas. Pink. Fancy. Very her. When she saw my face, her smile dropped.
"Oh, babe." She jumped up. Ran to me. Pulled me into a hug. "You finally left that asshole!"
I nodded against her shoulder. Couldn't speak. The tears came again. Stupid tears. Why couldn't they stop?
"I'm so proud of you," she whispered. Rubbed my back. "So, so proud."
"I caught him," I choked out. "With someone else. In the woods."
"That piece of shit!" Cindy pulled back. Her blue eyes flashed with anger. "I knew he was trash! I always knew!"
"You never said anything."
"Because you loved him." She led me to the bed. We sat. "I couldn't tell you. You had to see it yourself. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry." I wiped my face. "You were right. About everything."
"Where are you staying?" Cindy asked. "Not with him, right?"
"I was hoping... maybe here? Just for a few days?" My voice got small. "Until I figure things out?"
"Of course!" Cindy grabbed my hands. Squeezed. "You can stay as long as you need! This is your home now!"
