“I’m her mate!”
Jacob charged forward to grab my hand, but I avoided him.
“Mate?” I asked in a voice dripping with mockery. Right then, I finally came to terms that our relationship had ended. “Jacob, things ended between us the moment you decided to believe in Molly and chose to stay silent when Elizabeth sent me out to hunt a wild boar.”
Jacob looked like I had seized his heart and was squeezing it so hard he could not breathe.
“I’m sorry, Zoey. I’ve already chased Elizabeth and Molly out. They’ve gotten the punishment they deserved and might even be dead!
“No one can stop us from being together again! I’ve been searching for you for a long time, and I’m willing to accept the pup you adopted as my heir. Come back with me. Let’s start over again, okay?”
“That will never happen.”
I shook my head and looked at Mike, who was standing not too far away to protect us.
“My life is good right now. I have a family and a home. I no longer need to lick anyone’s boots or use my blood to prove my value.”
Feeling free of any burdens, I said firmly, “I did love you before, but you killed my love with your repeated betrayals and indifference.
“The Zoey you knew died in the battle with the leader of the wild boars. I belong to me, my pup, and the pack who accepted me.”
“No! I don’t believe you!”
Jacob shook his head and tried to grab my hand again, but Mike scowled and stopped him.
Mike then took my hand and said sternly, “I’m her new family. She’s safe and happy here. If you really love her, please leave and stop bothering us.”
Without giving him a chance to react, Mike pulled me away.
When Jacob saw us lean against each other, he finally understood that certain things could never be repaired once they were destroyed.
He had not just lost a partner, but also his past self that was worthy of being loved.
But that no longer had anything to do with me.
After we left, Jacob stumbled out of the Night Wind pack’s territory in dejection and with teary eyes.
Before he left, he cast one final glance at my stone hut.
No. That was no longer just my stone hut. It was Mike’s and my new house.
Laughter came from within, along with the pup’s cheerful barks.
1/2
Chapter 7
There was no news about Elizabeth or Molly in the forest.
As for me, after all the hardships I endured, I found a new life and future that truly belonged to me.
