44 44 % Chapter 5 Atticus - who had been howling for a separation - blinked at the decision , then stared at me as if the floor had dropped out . " This was your idea ? " I turned my face away and let the question die . Sensing his hesitation , Anya feigned surprise , but triumph rang in her voice . " Did the Elders find out the Luna cheated ? I thought I was quick . Turns out they're quicker . " She tossed a stack of photos onto the table . In them , I sat at a coffee shop across from a man whose face was hidden by the angle . I looked relaxed . I was laughing . Atticus's jaw clenched . " You're ice in front of me . Who said you could smile like that at him ? " Seeing the kindling catch , Anya poured gas on it . " Alpha , you said it yourself - eight years of marriage and you were done . Maybe she felt the same . Why not part clean ? " The words landed . His doubt broke . He signed the dissolution as if thunde e pen burned to the touch . " I'll enjoy seeing what kind of man she finds next . " Rotor thunder rolled over the pack grounds . Liam Carter , Alpha of Thornclaw Pack , dropped in with warriors at his back . A banner snapped open as they shouted in unison : " Congratulations to Ms. Lark - out of the cage , free again ! " The chant rattled the windows . Atticus's face went black , and his words came out as a growl . " So , Seraphina ... when did you start sneaking around with him ? " I didn't bother with a glance . I picked up my suitcase and walked . This was business . I'd saved Liam's grandmother ; he fixed Nightfall's Elders . That was all . No romance . No strings . As I moved past , Atticus clamped a hand on my wrist . " Seraphina , the waters run deeper at Thornclaw than at Nightfall . Are you sure you want to go ? " I pried his fingers off one by one , calm and steady . He drew breath to say more , but Liam cut in . Sliding an arm around me , Liam set himself between us , grin bright and razor - edged . " Thanks for being blind , Atticus . You just handed me a woman you never deserved , " His gaze flicked from me to Anya , a curl of mockery tightening his smile . Color drained from Anya's fare . Atticus's fists balled until his knuckles blanched . His chest heaved . He did nothing . At the door , I placed a small silver reliquary box in his palm . " Your father left this . I'm giving it back - call it even . " Chapter 5 Galatea 55.56 % Intricate etching gleamed on the lid . Inside , sealed tight , lay incense I had made . With it , he might have eked out a long while yet . He took it , then hurled it to the floor and sneered . " You think I'll take your poison incense ? I'll quit for good . " Blood threaded his eyes ; his cheeks were fallen and thin . He was living on borrowed time and didn't know it . I gave a small shrug . " Suit yourself . " Behind me , his wrecking rage broke loose . The crash of smashed things chased me down the hall . Elder Soren leaned on his cane , took in the ruin , and sighed from somewhere hollow . " Alpha , you've just destroyed your life . " Chapter 5