She was here again , standing in front of the Alpha's office door . It was becoming routine now -this slow walk down the long corridor , the tightening of her chest as she reached the heavy wooden door , and the weight pressing down on her shoulders . For the past few days , it felt like her life had been reduced to this single hallway , this single door , this single room where every time she entered , she left more broken than before . The walls of the pack house seemed to close in on her , suffocating her with whispers and judgment she could never escape . Elaine's fingers hovered over the door for a moment before she finally knocked , her knuckles brushing the wood with more force than she intended . " Come in , " Alpha Efrein's voice called from within , calm , steady , as if nothing in the world were amiss . Elaine pushed the door open and stepped inside . Her eyes scanned the room automatically , taking in the familiar faces . Michael sat near the window , stiff - backed but avoiding her gaze . Alpha Efrein sat at his desk , with Luna Beatrice seated elegantly beside him , her expression carefully composed . And then - her father , Beta Richard , standing a step behind them , as though he were a wall of support for everyone but his own daughter . Where were her mother and her sister ? Perhaps they were too occupied with preparations for tomorrow . Of course they would be . Tomorrow was the ceremony that would change everything . " Alpha , you wanted to see me ," Elaine greeted , her voice polite but hollow . " Yes ," Alpha Efrein said , folding his hands as though this were nothing more than routine business . " We want to discuss what will happen tomorrow at the ceremony . " Elaine frowned but said nothing . Her hands curled into fists at her sides , nails biting into her palms . Discuss ? What was there left to discuss ? " At the ceremony tomorrow , " Alpha Efrein continued , his voice steady , almost detached , " it has been decided that Michael will not mark Kathy . They will wait until after you and Michael reject each other to spare you unnecessary pain . " The words were delivered so matter - of - factly , so casually , it was almost comical . He could have been announcing a shift in the weather or reminding her of a pack duty . All of them 1/3 12 : < Chapter 25 looked at her expectantly , as if waiting for her gratitude . How laughable . More Rewards > Elaine kept her face blank , her emotions locked behind a wall she refused to let them breach . They didn't deserve her pain . They didn't deserve anything from her . Alpha Efrein inhaled slowly , then added , " After the ceremony tomorrow , you and Michael will have to reject each other . " " Ok ," Elaine said at once , her tone flat . " Is that all ? " The room shifted . Surprise flickered in their expressions , like they hadn't expected her calmness . She had thought this meeting was to deliver some heavy revelation , something of importance . But it was just this - confirmation of what she already knew . That the bond she never asked for , never wanted to break , would be cut by force . She had already accepted that much . What she hadn't expected was their so - called mercy in delaying Michael and Kathy's marking . Beneath the emptiness in her chest , bitterness stirred . Was it truly concern for her ... or was there something more ? " What do you mean ' is that all ' ? " Michael demanded , finally speaking , his tone sharp , defensive . Elaine turned to him , her gaze steady . " I already know about the ceremony . And I already know we'll have to reject each other . What I don't understand is why we need to sit here and discuss it . Was there something new I was meant to learn ? " Her lips pressed into a thin line . " Although , I admit , I'm surprised you won't mark each other right away , just to avoid hurting me . " For a moment , she thought she saw a flicker of shame in Michael's eyes . He lowered his gaze , his voice quieter when he finally spoke . " If I marked Kathy at the ceremony , " he said , " we don't know what my wolf would do . And the pain ... it would draw too much attention . The council would notice . They'd know something was wrong . " " Ah ," Elaine breathed , her eyes narrowing . " Now I understand . " Michael's head snapped up . " What do you mean by that ? " She gave a humorless laugh , shaking her head . 2/3 < Chapter 25 More Rewards > " The Alpha said you wouldn't mark her to spare me pain . That was unbelievable . You , of all people , are concerned about hurting me ? " She tilted her head, her voice calm , almost cold . " But if the reason is to hide things from the council , to protect your reputation , now that is believable . " The room went silent . The words hung heavy in the air , cutting deeper than any blade . Elaine's face betrayed nothing - no anger , no tears , just a flat truth spoken aloud . The silence was almost suffocating , until finally Luna Beatrice soft voice broke it . " Elaine , " the Luna said gently , though her eyes betrayed discomfort , " we also wanted to avoid causing you more pain . That much is true . " Elaine inclined her head politely . " Of course , Luna . " Her voice was respectful , but distant , as though she were reciting lines in a play . " If there is nothing else , I'll take my leave . " They all knew she didn't believe them . She never would . Whatever masks they wore , whatever excuses they crafted , the truth was always the same - her feelings had never mattered , and they never would . She turned and walked toward the door , her steps slow but steady . With each one , she buried the pain deeper inside herself , building the walls higher . Let them keep their lies . Let them choke on their hypocrisy . Tomorrow , everything would end . Comments