Chapter 5
A loud growl erupted from behind me, sending a cold shiver down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest, fear clawing at my insides.
Memories of the rogue attack in Nightshade flooded back, sharp and vivid. But I could not let that happen again.
Without a second thought, I quickened my pace, rushing toward the front of the house.
“Calm down, it’s someone you know trying to catch up,” Keena, my wolf, whispered, her voice soothing the frantic beating of my heart.
I slowed, though still wary. “Who is it?” I asked, my eyes scanning the shadows stretching across the yard as the sun began to dip behind the trees.
“I don’t know,” she murmured. “His scent is too faint, but he feels familiar.”
55% 11:05
Chapter 5
My hand instinctively moved toward the handle of the dagger I carried, ready for whatever might come out of the darkness.
“Who’s there?” I called out, my voice steady, though inside, adrenaline surged.
The silence stretched, thick with tension, until finally, a voice emerged from the shadows. Low, familiar, and sending a different kind of chill down my spine. “It’s me, Everly.”
A figure stepped forward, bathed in the soft sunlight that filtered through the trees. My breath hitched when I saw him. It was Jeremy.
“How… how did you get here?” I demanded, my voice rising, fear mingling with the anger that simmered just beneath the surface. “What’s the meaning of this?”
Jeremy stepped closer, his face cold and expressionless. His dark eyes bored into mine as he asked, “Why did you divorce me? Why did you leave me?”
55% 11:05
2/7
Chapter 5
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze head–on, refusing to be intimidated. “You know why, Jeremy. You changed. Ever since Alexa lost her mate, everything about us shifted. I did what was right.”
He scoffed, a bitter sound. “Doing what’s right? You think this is right, Everly?”
I stayed silent, but I saw the pain flash in his eyes as he pressed on, trying to grab my hand.
Fury surged within me, so I spat, “Don‘ t touch me! Besides, you have no right to be here.”
He sneered, crossing his arms. “As your husband, can I not visit your family home?”
My blood boiled at his arrogance. “We are not together anymore, Jeremy. I am not your Luna, not your wife. You have no claim over me. Besides,” I added, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “Shouldn’t you be with Alexa, preparing for your trip to Grimfur Pack?”
65% 11:05
317
53
Chapter 5
He chuckled, his lips curling into a sly smile. “That‘ s tomorrow. Today, I’m here for you. You belong in Nightshade, with me, not here.”
“Belong?” My voice trembled with rage. “You don’t get to decide where I belong. We are done, Jeremy. We are divorced.”
Jeremy’s expression darkened, his voice lowering to a menacing calm. “I never agreed to the divorce, Everly.”
I stared at him, speechless. The sheer audacity. Did he honestly think that everything that had happened meant nothing? That he could manipulate me back into his life?
Just as I opened my mouth to retort, the front door creaked open. My mother asked without seeing the man I talked with because I hid him, “Who are you talking
to?”
I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just an old friend from school,
55% 11:06
Chapter 5
Mom. He was about to take me to a cafe for
a quick catch–up.”
Her eyebrow raised in skepticism, but she nodded. “Alright, don‘ t stay out too late.”
As soon as she disappeared inside, I grabbed Jeremy by the arm, dragging him around the side of the house. My voice was low, laced with anger. “You better go now.”
“Why are you acting like this, Everly? Since when do you make decisions without consulting me first?”
I froze, the words hitting me like a slap. That was me, the old me who was always asking for permission, always waiting for his approval.
But that woman died the day he left me bleeding and broken while he embraced Alexa. I had been left to fend for myself, neglected and forgotten.
“Are you serious right now?” I hissed; my fists clenched at my sides. “Jeremy, this isn’t about you anymore. I left because I
65% 11:05
Chapter 5
couldn’t take it. You and I are done, and that’s final. Get it through your head.”
For a brief moment, his bravado faltered, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his face. But he quickly masked it with that same infuriating arrogance.
“You‘ re overreacting, Everly. You made a rash decision, and now you‘ re just confused. I came here to set things right.”
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound cold and empty. “Confused? I have never been more clear in my life. You stopped being my priority the moment I realized I was never yours. I’m not confused, Jeremy. I’m done.”
His jaw tightened, and his eyes hardened into something cold and dangerous. “You‘ re making a mistake. Whatever you think you know, it’s not the truth. I’m here because you‘ re the one I want, Everly. That’s what matters.”
I shook my head, the words spilling out like
55% 11.05
6/7
Chapter 5
53
a dam breaking. “No, it doesn’t. It hasn‘ t mattered for a long time. You always make me the second one, you never cared about what I needed, I will never be your priority. That’s why this is over.”
Jeremy took a step closer, desperation flickering in his eyes. “Is six years of us being together worth nothing to you? Is this because we aren’t fated mates? Wait, is it because you found your mate?”
The sheer nerve of him made my blood boil. “This is why I leave you, Jeremy. You are always the one who likes to play the victim. Isn’t it you who paraded around with Alexa for months, making everyone in the Pack know about your hidden relationship?”
His face paled, confusion clouding his features. “What are you talking about?” he whispered, as though he had not even realized how far gone we were.
55% 11:05
