Chapter 6
“Are you the only one who doesn’t know the gossip going around the Pack?” I asked, my voice sharp with frustration.
The rumors had been swirling for days, but somehow, Jeremy still seemed oblivious.
Jeremy frowned, clearly confused. “So, you went this far just because of the gossip? Everly, listen to me. I went to Alexa because she was in mourning. She needed someone to comfort her after Adrian’s death. You know my relationship with Alexa better than anyone, right?”
I scoffed bitterly, shaking my head. “Oh, I know better, alright. Every time Alexa needs something, you‘ re right there, dropping everything. Every time you buy gift for me, there’s always one for her too.
a
“Even during the attack yesterday, she was more important to you than I was. But every time I bring it up, you get angry. So
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why should I keep trying to understand you when you refuse to understand me, Jeremy?”
His jaw tightened. “But Everly, she‘ s my childhood friend. I have told you this over and over again, she’s like family to me.”
“Family?” I sneered, my voice cold. “Then why don’t you just get a permanent mate mark tattoo with her? You know what? Yesterday at lunch, she looked jealous when she saw my tattoo. So, I went ahead and erased mine. Now she won’t have to feel insecure.”
Jeremy’s eyes widened, his voice full of disbelief. “Did you really erase it?”
I met his gaze evenly, my tone calm though the pain simmered just below the surface.
“Yes. Mine was temporary, easy to
remove. But yours… yours isn’t, is it? I think it’s real now. You have found your
mate, haven’t you, Jeremy? Tell me louder, who is she?”
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He hesitated, his usual confidence cracking as he stared at me, guilt clouding his expression. “Since… since when did you know?”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I tried to mask the ache in my chest. “Ah, so I was right. The reason you have been avoiding me, why you have been distant, it‘ s. because of that, isn’t it?”
My laughter grew louder, but it did nothing to dull the sharp pain slicing through me.
Jeremy‘ s face twisted with discomfort.
“Everly, listen. Yes, Alexa is my mate, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you. I still love you.”
“So, it’s true,” I whispered, my heart shattering though I kept my face
composed. “The rumors are true. You and Alexa are mates. Since when?”
Jeremy‘ s voice softened as his eyes locked with mine. “Right after Adrian went into a coma. It started to get stronger then, and
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after he died, I could not fight it anymore. But Everly, it feels strange, I have loved you for years. My heart belongs to you, not her.”
“Don’t lie to yourself, Jeremy. You will only end up hurting her, your true mate. Isn’t that what you want?” I forced myself to speak calmly, though every word felt like a dagger to my own soul.
“I will make it easy for you. Sign the divorce papers and forget about me.”
Jeremy’s eyes flared with desperation. “No, Everly, I… I will reject her for you. I don’t want to lose you. Can you believe me?”
“Believe you?” I snapped, the anger finally breaking through my restraint. “Since when have you ever cared for me, Jeremy? You are always so stubborn, always so sure that what you want is right. But you know what? It does not matter anymore. Three years is enough. I have suffered enough between you and Alexa.”
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“Everly, don’t say that!” Jeremy’s voice cracked with emotion. “We have been through so much together. Don‘ t just throw that away.”
I backed away from him, my voice low and filled with finality. “We are not going anywhere together, Jeremy. The Moon Goddess made her decision. We are not soulmates, and this relationship is no longer worth fighting for. Sign the divorce.”
Jeremy growled, his Alpha authority seeping into his words. “I will never sign the papers.”
I growled back, my fury matching his. “You will only hurt Alexa if you keep being this selfish! She’s your mate now, Jeremy. You can’t deny that forever.”
Suddenly, he groaned, clutching his chest as if in pain. The bond was affecting him, tearing him apart as he tried to deny his connection to his true mate.
I looked at Jeremy, my heart heavy but
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resolute. “Just accept your fate, Jeremy. Let me go.”
He groaned again, still clutching his chest. “Never! I don’t agree with this. You can’t just walk away from our relationship, Everly. We promised to love each other even though we are not mates.”
He reached out for me, desperation in his eyes. But I stepped back, raising my hand to stop him. “Whatever you say now, it doesn’t matter. You have already lost me. It’s over, Jeremy.”
“It is not over,” he growled, his voice trembling with power. “Come back with me, Everly.”
For the first time, I felt the pull of his Alpha authority, something he had promised
never to see on me.
But at that time, he was trying to control me, force me to bend to his will.
