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“That right there is part of the problem,” I counter. “That superficial facade you put on doesn’t hide the ugliness beneath it. Not anymore. We are fundamentally incompatible, and I don’t choose you as Luna for my pack.”

She gasps. For a moment, she looks taken aback—even vulnerable. But then her expression hardens.

“Do you care so little for your pack?” she spits. “If you think my father will take kindly to this, think again.”

“I’m aware of the risks. They are more acceptable to me than a future with you. You only think of yourself. You are petty and selfish. You are not the Luna our pack needs,” I reply.

Her face contorts in anger.

“You’ll regret this,” she growls. “I’ll make sure you do.”

I open my mouth to say something else, but I hear a soft knock on the door. Someone pushes it open.

“Austin?” a soft voice calls out.

My entire body snaps to attention. Yelena.

Sylvie’s eyes narrow to tiny, beady little slits. “Is this your whore?” she asks, snidely. “You’re throwing me over for what? A human-loving little freak who already ran away from you? ”

Yelena walks in and freezes when she sees Sylvie and I.

“I’m so sorry,” she stammers. “I was just going to say goodbye to Alpha Malakai and Luna Elizabeth. I’m on my way back to the city. Just…”

Her voice trails off, and she looks between Sylvie and I, slowly backing up.

“You bitch,” Sylvie snarls, advancing on her. “Do you think you can make a move on my mate in front of me?”

Yelena holds her hands out, looking at me with alarm. “I didn’t make a move on anyone,” she protests.

“Sylvie, enough!” I growl, standing to my full height. “Get out. You’re no longer welcome on my pack lands. Our engagement is broken. Take your things and go.”

Sylvie shrieks, her claws shifting as she runs toward Yelena. I move swiftly, blocking her access. She shifts, snapping her jaws at me and at Yelena as she runs from the room.

The backdoor slams shut, and I can hear the snarls as Sylvie runs through the pack toward Highland lands.

That’s going to be a problem. But not for tonight.

“Wow,” Yelena says, looking at me. “Are you okay?”

I want to hug her. Only Yelena would be verbally and physically threatened by an unhinged she-wolf, and her first question would be if I am okay.

One of the many reasons why I love her, and I need her as my Luna.

“I never should have been engaged to her in the first place,” I confess, walking over to the bar cart and pouring myself a drink. “She’s not my true mate.”

Yelena doesn’t say anything, but I can feel the tension rising between us.

"What are you saying, Austin?” she asks, finally.

I turn to her and smile.

“What I should have said five years ago.”

She pales and staggers over to the couch, sinking on the cushions. Her wide eyes are locked on mine.

I move to sit in the chair across from her and reach for her hand.

It’s ice cold, and I rub it between my hands to warm her. My wolf is thrilled with the contact.

“I made a mistake, Yelena. One that I hope I can correct,” I begin, looking at her. “I fought our mate bond for the entirety of our engagement.”

She stiffens and drops her gaze.

“I fought it because I thought I knew better than Fate. I thought what I wanted was choices. When you left, it was the most profoundly desperate feeling of loss that I’ve ever felt.”

Her breath hitches, and her shoulders slump. I rub her hands more and continue.

“What the last five years without you have taught me is that Fate knew best. I put myself and you through immense heartache by pushing you away and burying the feelings I had for you. It was cowardly, and I am so, so sorry.”

“Austin…” she says, her voice shaky, “it’s been five years. Everything has changed. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I’m saying I love you, Yelena,” I answer, confidently. “You are my True Mate. We are paired by the Moon Goddess herself. You are the only one I want as my Luna.”

She pulls her hand from my grasp and stands, her eyes frantic.

“No, no, Austin,” she pleads, “You don’t understand. I’m…”

“A mother?” I say, quietly, standing and reaching for her again. “I know.”

She freezes and stares at me.

“What?” she whispers, hoarsely.

“Cleo, right? Your daughter? The next future Seer?”

Her eyes widen even further as realization dawns on her face. "No..." she whispers, taking a step back. "But how? How did you find out?" the words tumble out of her mouth in a rush.

“I have my ways,” I reply evenly, my gaze steady and unflinching.

Yelena blinks rapidly, trying to hold back the tears pooling at the corners of her eyes.

I reach for her, but she shies away from my touch.

“Yelena, please,” I ask. “Just tell me. Is she mine?”

My own heart is threatening to pound out of my chest as I wait for her answer. I think I know the answer, but I need to hear her say it. To confirm it.

Cleo is mine.

“No,” she chokes out, tears glistening in her eyes. “No.”

She stumbles backward, crashing into the end table and knocking a vase to the ground in her haste to get away from me.

“I’m leaving,” she whispers, before shifting and bounding through the door. “Don’t follow me, Austin. Just…let me go.”

I watch, frozen in place, as she leaves me once again. My heart is pounding, and my wolf is keening in my chest.

I lost her once. I will not lose her again. I can’t.

With shaking hands, I grab my phone and shoot off a text to Vincent. Preparations will need to be made because I’m going to the city and I’m not coming back without her. Not this time.