Page 13 of Alpha's Runaway Mate

Our twisted Moon Goddess must be having a good laugh right now, probably bawling her eyes at how foolish I was. Because what was I thinking, heading to the pack headquarters? To watch Kaine vow himself another woman, and claim her as his mate? Was the way my heart was threatening to explode not enough evidence of his cruelty? Did I still have to go and see for myself?

My curiosity always got the better of me, and so did the feelings I harbored for him. Earlier, when he sat by my side, I caught a glimpse of the kind and caring man I used to love. The man I believed I could build a life with. And for a moment, I wanted to forget everything and just imagine the three of us—Kaine, our son, and me, as a family. The way it would have been if he hadn’t decided that I wasn’t good enough for him. But once again, Kaine was showing how fickle his emotions were. Or rather, how goddamn good he was at pretending to care. Because no man could be that tender with one woman, then marry another the very next night.

God! I felt like such an idiot. Add that to the mix of emotions that were brewing inside of me: rage, fury, and anger.

As I approached the pack’s headquarters, I saw the full moon hang like a watchful eye above the clearing, bathing the gathering in its silvery light. Everyone was gathered, waiting in reverent silence for the ceremony to begin. I stopped in a corner—far away from the rest of the crowd but close enough to get a good view of the center aisle where the ceremony was to take place. The darkness of the night cloaked me as I watched my once-fated mate from the shadows. He was dressed in ceremonial attire, looking every bit like the Alpha he had become—commanding, strong, and utterly confident.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him, and yet the sight felt like a knife twisting in my gut. Kaine sat in a circle mapped out in the aisle of the quarters, alongside the woman who was about to claim what I once thought was mine. Her name was Juniper, from what I had heard. She looked stunning in that flowy white dress—the kind I had dreamed of wearing on my wedding day to Kaine. Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in waves, her skin as bright and clear as day, glowing with perfection. Unlike mine, which has been marred by scars and bruises.

Her green eyes sparkled with admiration as she spoke softly to Kaine. Every glance he gave her, and every breathless smile she returned felt like the dagger was twisting deeper into the wound he had inflicted six years ago. I didn’t want to compare myself to her, but watching as she leaned into him, and the way Kaine’s mouth broke into a grin, I felt like I was witnessing the final act of a cruel play. And I found myself straying back to that night, Kaine’s words resounding in my head as though he was in front of me now, repeating them all over again.

“You’re not good enough for me, Lyra,”Kaine had said, shattering my heart into pieces. And then more, till it was nothing but a pile of dust.“You’re not worth the love of an Alpha. Lyra, you’re not worth my love.”

Was she better than me? Was Juniper worthy of his love? Was she enough for him in a way that I never was?

One of the pack’s elders stood in front of the aisle, with a book in his hand, ready to begin the ceremony.

“Tonight, we gather under the gaze of the moon to witness the joining of these two souls and to unite them as one,” he began, reciting the ancient marital rights meant to honor the couple’s bond, his voice profound. “Kaine and Juniper, please step forward to exchange your vows.”

Juniper practically jumped out of her seat, bubbling with excitement. Everyone waited for Kaine to do the same, but he didn’t move right away. I thought I saw something in his eyes when he looked at Juniper’s extended arm, eager for him to take a stand beside her. Perhaps my imagination was getting the better of me, because whatever flickered in his eyes didn’t matter anymore as he took her outstretched arm and joined her.

Though the thought still lingered in my head a moment too long. No one hesitated if they were absolutely sure of a decision they were about to make. Kaine certainly hadn’t hesitated before he rejected me. Then again, I was searching for reasons to believe that he didn’t actually want this when that hesitation could have just been a sign of nervousness.

She was the first to say her vows, promising him unwavering love, faithfulness, and everything in between.

My hands clenched at my sides, nails biting into my palms as Kaine’s turn soon came. Once again, he hesitated, but when he took Juniper’s hands and looked into her eyes, the words began to flow out of his mouth like a poem I knew too well.

“Juniper Greymont,” he began, his voice steady, but I didn’t miss the hint of reluctance, “from the first day I met you, your kindness drew me in. Your beautiful smile, your big heart, your strength, and your grace.” He paused, his jaw tightening. “I stand here tonight because I have a duty to my pack, just as you do. On the day I became Alpha, I swore a commitment to do whatever it took to protect my people, and today, I extend that same commitment to you. I vow to protect you, to be the Alpha you deserve. To lead with honor, and to stand by your side in every battle. I promise you loyalty, faithfulness…”

Loyalty…

Kaine’s words rang in my ears like a cruel joke. I had heard those promises before, one too many times, whispered in the quiet moments after he had taken me to bed. He would promise me the world, promise me his loyalty, promise me his protection, and everything I wanted to believe. Foolish as I was, I believed every word out of his mouth. If only Juniper knew that Kaine’s words were hollow and they didn’t mean a thing.

I didn’t realize when a tear slipped down my cheek. But I wiped it away quickly. Kaine’s gaze shifted from Juniper and landed on me. It was barely noticeable, but I saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes which told me that he didn’t want this, that it was killing him just as much as it was tearing me apart. But then he looked away and reality crashed down once more, brutal and painful. We were standing on opposite sides of a life we couldn’t have, and he was about to seal out fates.

This was it. The moment he would mark her as his mate, and bind their souls together. Kaine leaned forward, his fangs on display, ready to sink them into Juniper Greymont’s neck. Tears fell freely from my eyes, and I squeezed them shut, unable to watch him do to her what I always imagined for myself.

The sudden sound of gasps made me snap my eyes open. Kaine was no longer in the aisle. Juniper sat on the ground, sobbing. The elders stood, frozen in shock, and murmurs passed around the crowd filled the arena.What had happened?

Before I could process it, I heard a voice behind me.

“I couldn’t go through with it. Not when the woman I love was standing right here.”

My eyes squeezed shut as tears slipped from my eyes. There was a time I would have given anything to hear Kaine say those words. But he was six years too late. Now, they didn’t mean a thing.

I quickly dabbed at the tears on my face before turning around to face him. “You left a woman at the altar, Alpha Kaine,” I said.

“She’s not the woman I want.”

“You don’t know what you want.” My voice came out in a whisper. “I don’t think you ever did.”

I attempted to walk past him but Kaine caught my arm, spinning me around to face him. “Lyra, wait.” His voice was rough.

I yanked my arm away from his grip, my chest heaving with anger and hurt. “What do you want, Kaine? Did you expect me to run into your arms because you ditched a woman at the altar?Did you think in that twisted mind of yours that you did it for me?”

“I did it for you!” he said through gritted teeth. “I know what I want Lyra. And it’s you. It has always been you.”

“You have a pretty sick definition of love and want. Your display of cruelty is unmatched, and trust me, I have met a lot of terrible men out there. But none as cruel as you. You were going to marry her after binding me to this territory so that I could do what? Watch you live happily after you have broken me?”

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