Chapter 30 Sage It's the fragments that catch my attention first - hushed voices drifting from Alaric's study as I pass . " -becoming a liability- " " omega- " can't protect the pack if we're constantly- " " -have to make a decision about the I freeze , pressing against the wall beside the partially open door . Alaric's voice cuts through the others , tight with tension . " She stays . That's not up for discussion . " " But my King , after what happened at the gathering- 11 " I said no . " The finality in his tone should be reassuring . Instead , it reminds me of all the times Cassius defended keeping me around at Blackthorn - right up until I became inconvenient . I slip away before they can discover me eavesdropping . The word " liability " echoes in my head as I make my way to the dining hall , hoping food might settle my churning stomach . The moment I enter , I know it's a mistake . Eris sits at a table with three other high - ranking she - wolves , their voices carrying just enough to seem unintentional . " -always had a soft spot for strays , " Eris sighs . " Remember that omega from River Pack? " " The one he sent to the Southern territories ? " Another wolf asks . " Whatever happened to her ? " " Same thing that always happens . Alaric felt guilty about something , took her in , then realized he couldn't actually keep every broken wolf he finds . " My hands shake as I set down my untouched plate . This isn't about me , I tell myself . But Eris's next words freeze me mid - step . " At least that one had a wolf . Imagine trying to integrate a wolfless omega permanently . It would undermine everything the pack stands for . " I flee to the library , my one sanctuary in this gilded cage . The ancient books usually calm me , but today my eyes catch on a volume of pack laws I've never noticed before . The section on omegas makes my blood run cold : " In matters of pack security , the Alpha holds complete authority over the residence and movement of unmated omegas within their territory ... " The words blur as memories surface - Cassius dictating where I could go , who I could talk to . Always for my protection . " Always for my " own good . " I thought it was because he cared about me . I was stupid . 11 " Child . " Ms. Winters appears beside me , making me jump . " There are things you should know about your- " " Ma'am ! " A young wolf bursts into the library . " The king needs you immediately . " 1 carefully return the law book to its shelf , Ms. Winters's unfinished warning forgotten as I head for the garden . But I never make it there . one Through the window overlooking the front courtyard , I see them Alaric stands close to a stunning she wolf of the visiting dignitaries from the gathering . Her hand rests on his arm as she leans in , speaking intently . From Chapter 30 +25 BONUS this angle , it looks intimate , secret . " Ah . " Eris's voice behind me drips with false sympathy . " I was wondering when you'd find out . " " Find out what ? " My voice sounds hollow to my own ears . " About Alessandra . " She moves to stand beside me . " They have history . She's actually why he was in Blackthorn territory that day he found you . She'd rejected his offer of courtship , and well ... you know how Alphas hate wounded pride . " My chest feels too tight . " You're lying . " " Am I ? Ask him yourself . Ask him why he really saved you that day . You were just a project to help him feel better about himself . But now that he has an alliance with my father's pack and me as his future Luna , he can let both of you go . " I mean to wait , to think it through rationally . But when I see Alaric heading for his study , my feet carry me there before I can stop them . " Why were you really in Blackthorn territory that day ? " I demand . He stiffens at my question , turning slowly to face me . " Sage- " " Was it because of her ? Alessandra ? " Something flashes in his steel - gray eyes . " It's complicated . " " That's not an answer . " " Some things ... " he hesitates , jaw tight . " Some things I can't explain yet . " Yet . Always yet . Always secret . Just like Cassius with his secrets and lies . " Why did you save me ? " My voice cracks . " The truth this time . " He takes a step toward me , hand outstretched . " Sweetling- " " Don't . " I back away . " Don't call me that if you can't even be honest with me . " His silence feels like confirmation of every fear , every doubt . I run before he can see me cry . In my room , a folded note sits on my pillow . The handwriting is unfamiliar : " He's arranging your transfer to River Pack . For your own protection , of course . Better to know now than to be blindsided again . " The words swim through tears I refuse to let fall . Everything clicks into horrible clarity the whispered conversation about making decisions , the pack laws about unmated omegas , his guilty silence . History repeating itself in the worst way . My hands shake as I pull out the small bag I've kept packed since Blackthorn , Old habits die hard - always being ready to run , to survive , to start over . The moon rises outside my window as I add a few essentials . My pendant feels heavy against my throat as I remember another night of betrayal , another pack that didn't want me . Never again . If Alaric wants to send me away , I'll spare him the trouble . This time , I'll leave before they can throw me away . This time , I'll choose my own exile .