In response to my unwavering devotion, Thorne had grown to loathe me. His disdain reached its peak when, at his coming-of-age ceremony, he learned that I was his fated mate. The revelation had only fueled his resentment, as he would have preferred Morgana by his side.
He had wanted to be with her. Why didn’t I just let him go? Why didn’t I step aside and let them be together? If only I hadn’t been so naïve to believe he might change his mind. Because of my persistence, he had watched Morgana leave for another pack after finding her fated mate there.
My parents had insisted that I accept my fate and stay with Thorne. They believed that rejecting our destined bond was not an option. As a result, Thorne was forced into a mating with me, an arrangement that left me as his Luna.
Our mateship ceremony had been anything but celebratory. Thorne had deemed a grand celebration unnecessary, saying I deserved nothing more.
Years later, when Morgana returned claiming her mate had died, I had realized the futility of competing with her.
Reflecting on it, I had begged him once more, promising that I would leave him alone after all these years. That plea seemed to be the final straw that made him agree to my terms. It was clear he wanted to be rid of me.
But why hadn’t he spent even a final moment with Cassian? Why did he break that promise? It was one thing for him not to love me, but Cassian was his son too. How could he be so heartless toward him?
I looked at Thorne with a deep, gnawing disappointment. Once, I had marveled at his features, seeing them as a living work of art. Now, his face filled me with nothing but disgust.
Just as Thorne was about to speak, Morgana interjected, her voice dripping with faux distress. "Alpha, I’m feeling dizzy again, and my cheeks are throbbing. Can you check if they’re swollen?"
Thorne’s gaze shifted immediately to her, his concern palpable. Morgana, seizing the opportunity, collapsed into his arms with an exaggerated sigh. The handprint I had left on her pale cheek was a stark reminder of the fury I felt.
Tears welled up in Morgana’s eyes as the Alpha gently wiped them away, his touch tender and familiar. I remembered when he had shown me such kindness. In our younger days, he would have helped me up if I fell and comforted me in a similar way. Now, those gestures of affection felt like a distant memory.