And for eight years, I did. I loved Marc like a son. I cared for Malachi’s every need. But I was a fool. Malachi never loved me. All these years, he and Marc treated me like trash. They made sure I knew I was just a lowly concubine in this house.
Marc never respected me. He spent every day finding new ways to hurt my wolf. I had already decided that today, on Marc’s eighth year of life, I would leave this pack forever.
If Marc had thrown hot tea on me three years ago, I would have begged for his forgiveness. I would have tried to make him happy. But I am finished.
The funny thing is, this dress was never Via’s favorite. She never even wore it. This was my dress, a gift from my own mother before she passed. Via stole it from me, just like she stole everything else in my life.
“The feast is starting. Where are you, Rhea?” Malachi’s deep voice echoed outside the room.
I dried myself and walked out just as he stepped inside. He saw my stained dress and the red marks on my skin and sighed.
“I heard what Marc did. Do not think about it too much. He is just a pup, and I know he loves you,” Malachi said.
I let out a cold laugh. “That child does not know the first thing about love.”
Malachi’s face darkened. “Do not talk like that. He is a good boy.”
I moved away from him and grabbed a small jar of healing balm. I began to rub the cool cream onto my burns. My skin was swollen, but this pack medicine would heal the marks by morning.
“Let me help,” Malachi said. He took the jar from me without asking.
His fingers moved in circles over my skin. A few years ago, his touch would have made me feel weak with love. Now, it just made me want to pull away.
“Be patient with him,” he whispered, his breath warm against my neck.
I stepped back, breaking his hold. “I have something to tell you, Malachi.”
He looked annoyed. “Can it not wait? Marc’s birthday hunt is starting.”
“No, it cannot,” I said, looking him in the eye. “Today is the eighth year. I am leaving. I am never coming back.”
Rhea's POV
“What madness are you speaking?” Malachi thundered.
I watched as his face tightened with Alpha rage. The air in the room became heavy, the pressure of his power trying to force me to submit, but I stood my ground. I did not flicker.
“The eight years are finished, Malachi. I am leaving this pack,” I stated firmly.