Regret Me When I'm Gone

Cordelia’s POV

Soft, shuffling footsteps echoed down the corridor, accompanied by the hushed whispers of several Omegas.

“Did you hear? The crown Mrs. Cross will wear at the inheritance ceremony is finally finished! Rare blue moonstones—there are barely a handful in the entire werewolf world! Mr. Cross truly spoils her!”

“Sigh, what a pity… It’s been three years and still no pups. I heard it’s because she has health issues…”

“A man like Mr. Cross could have any woman he wants. Why cling to someone who can’t even bear children…?”

“Hush, be careful someone might hear you.”

The footsteps faded into the distance. I’d been listening to rumors like these for three years.

Once, they cut me to the bone. Now, I only find them pitiful.

My father’s face from three years ago surfaced in my mind.

“Cordelia, you cannot marry him.” That was the first thing he said when I told him Adrian was my fated mate.

“Why not?”

“When he cast aside his former mate, he didn’t even blink. That woman gave him everything, and in the end, she was thrown out, her fate unknown.”

“But Adrian said they parted by mutual agre—”

“You believe him?” My father cut me off.

“You’re the daughter of the Goldberg Pack. Haven’t you seen all kinds of men since you were a child?”

“How could you be so easily deceived by sweet words? If you insist on marrying him, then you are no daughter of mine.”

My mother wept and begged me to reconsider, but I left the Goldberg Pack without looking back.

I thought I was running toward happiness, that I’d spend my life proving my father wrong.

Looking back now, it’s laughable.

My father was right.

Adrian never truly “abandoned” me—he simply held me in his palm while entangling himself with another woman. For three whole years.

The witch’s cottage was hidden deep within a grove of withered oaks.

“You wish to sever the mate bond with your fated one?” The witch’s back was to me.

“Yes.”

“There is always a price for dealing with me. Did you bring something of his?”

I pulled out a small pouch filled with Adrian’s wolf fur.

“Forcibly breaking the mate bond—if you don’t join a new pack in time, your wolf will descend into madness. And if your wolf dies, you will never be able to bond with anyone again.”

“I accept.”

Better to grow old alone than be shackled to someone who doesn’t love me.

“Very well. Then, the payment—your wolf fang token.”

My heart plummeted. The wolf fang token was the most sacred symbol between mates.

In three days, Adrian would take the highest seat of power in the Cross Pack, and I would stand beside him as Luna.

It should have been the most glorious moment of my life.

“Deal.”