Chapter 5 No.5

Elara POV:

The weekend brought the coming-of-age party for the pack's young adults. I forced myself to go, needing to keep up appearances. Someone handed me a cup of forest berry wine, a potent, homemade brew. It was the first time I'd ever had alcohol. The fiery liquid burned a path down my throat, but it dulled the edges of my pain.

Feeling dizzy, I slipped out of the noisy main room and into the hallway for some air. The door to the Alpha's private lounge was slightly ajar. I saw Alaric inside, surrounded by his senior warriors, his Betas and Gammas. He was holding a glass of amber liquid, a broad smile on his face.

"To my future with Seraphina," he toasted, his voice booming with confidence. "And to the pack's new era." Then, his eyes briefly flickered toward the hallway, as if he sensed me there. He added, "Elara is an adult now. Her welfare is her own responsibility."

The words, meant to sound like a declaration of my freedom, felt like a public disownment.

A strange clarity cut through the alcoholic haze. "My world won't have you in it anymore either," I whispered to the empty hallway, and turned toward the restrooms.

When I came out, I nearly collided with him. He was standing there, his powerful frame blocking the narrow corridor. Seraphina emerged from the lounge and draped herself over him, her laughter tinkling like broken glass. She tipped her head back, and he leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead.

With an effortless display of strength, he swept her up into his arms, a princess carry, and strode away without a single glance in my direction.

"He really seems happy."

I turned to see Clara, the Omega girl from the online chat, standing beside me. Her eyes were full of sympathy. My own were burning, but I blinked back the tears. "It's the smoke from the bonfire," I lied.

"I guess he's really moved on," Clara sighed. "With a mate, things are different. For a while, everyone thought you two would... well, you know."

I knew. Everyone had thought we were destined.

She gave me a sad smile. "But he's the Alpha, and you're just... an Omega. The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways, I guess."

Her words weren't meant to be cruel, but they struck a nerve. The imbalance of our bond. He was the sun, and I was just a minor satellite, pulled into his orbit, only to be cast off when a brighter star appeared.

The party ended. As I stepped outside into the chilly, damp night, I saw them waiting by his car. Seraphina was huddled under his arm.

Alaric's eyes found me, and his expression hardened. "It's late, Elara. An Omega shouldn't be out by herself after dark. You're getting reckless."

Seraphina gently tugged on his arm, playing the peacemaker. "Don't be so harsh, darling. She's just having fun."

He grunted, then opened a large black umbrella as the drizzle started again. The canopy tilted, completely shielding Seraphina while his own expensive suit jacket started to darken with rain.

I remembered another rainy night, years ago. He had held the umbrella entirely over my small frame, letting the rain soak him to the bone. "Roses can't get wet," he had whispered.

Tonight, the rain spattered against my dress, cold and sharp. He was holding the umbrella, but its shelter was no longer for me. I could have huddled on the edge, seeking what little protection he offered.

Instead, I pulled my thin cardigan tighter, gave them a brief nod, and walked past his car, stepping out from the curb and into the open rain.

I wouldn't be his wilting rose anymore. I would be a sunflower, turning to find my own light.