The following morning, Julia rose before dawn. Just like always. She washed her face in cold water. Braided her hair neatly. Covered the fading scratches on her chest with the highest collar she owned. She stared at her reflection for only a moment before looking away.
She did not look like someone preparing to leave her entire life behind. She looked like an omega reporting for duty.
The kitchen was already alive with activity when she arrived. Fires crackled. Steam rose from large pots. Omegas moved in practiced coordination.
Julia slipped into her routine effortlessly. Slice. Stir. Carry. Arrange. Her movements were steady, almost mechanical.
No one would know that by sunset, she planned to be gone.
When the food was ready, she carried trays into the hall and placed them carefully along the buffet table.
One by one, pack members entered. The murmur of voices filled the room. Then the atmosphere shifted.
The alpha and luna had arrived. Jason walked at Willow’s side, his posture proud. Willow’s hand rested lightly in his as if claiming him in every step. Their mating marks were visible, deliberately uncovered.
Julia lowered her eyes and continued serving, but Willow stopped in front of her.
The hall quieted slightly.
“Julia,” Willow said sweetly, though her tone carried a sharp edge. “You look worse by the day.”
Julia kept her head bowed.
“Are you certain you are not sick? You serve food for everyone, yet you look like you are dying.”
Her voice was loud enough for most of the hall to hear. Several wolves glanced at Julia with discomfort.
Again.
The omega displeasing the luna.
Julia bowed lower. “I apologize for displeasing you, Luna.”
Willow waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t need your apology. I need this fixed. Food should nourish the pack. Strengthen them for the day ahead. How can we enjoy our meal if we must look at your dying face while eating?”
A few uncomfortable chuckles echoed from the tables.
Willow turned to Jason and slipped closer to him. “My love, we should correct this. What if I am with pup? Our pup might absorb her… unpleasant energy.”
She pouted slightly, and Jason inhaled slowly.
Julia did not lift her head.
“You are correct,” Jason said at last. “Julia, from this moment forward, you are barred from serving in the food hall. As my luna stated, we will not risk our pup absorbing any negative energy.”
The words hit harder than any public reprimand before.
Julia’s spine straightened instinctively, though her head remained lowered. “Of course, Alpha. I understand.”
“And I do not want you cleaning our suite anymore,” Willow added coolly. “Your scent lingering in our space makes me ill.”
A murmur rippled through the hall.
Julia’s fingers tightened at her sides. “I understand, Luna. Alpha. I will ensure you do not see me again. Please excuse me.”
She turned and walked away with measured steps.
Jason did not notice the slight tremor in her shoulders. He did, however, notice something else.
The way she phrased it.
I will ensure you do not see me again.
It unsettled him.
Of course he would see her again. Just not in the food hall. Not in his suite. But she would still be here. Wouldn’t she?
Willow fanned her hand lightly in front of her face as if clearing an unpleasant scent.
“Does anyone know why she looks like she is dying?” Willow asked casually. “Is she ill? Some virus?”
Mira hesitated before speaking. “I brought her to the healer yesterday, Luna. But Julia said the healer found nothing wrong.”
Willow nodded slowly. “That’s good. I would hate for anyone to catch something from her.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Did someone in her family die? Or perhaps her mate?”
Beta Kirk’s eyes flicked toward Jason. Only he noticed the tightening of the alpha’s jaw. The barely restrained tension in his shoulders.
“We should begin,” Jason’s expression remained composed. “The pack will not eat until we do.”
“Oh, right,” Willow said with a light laugh as she moved toward the head of the table.
As they took their seats, Jason’s gaze briefly found Kirk’s. A silent command passed between them.
Check on her.
Kirk gave a subtle nod and excused himself from the hall.
He found Julia alone in the kitchen. She stood near the counter, staring at nothing.
“You heard?” he asked flatly.
“Yes,” she replied without looking at him.
“The alpha ordered me to bring you to the healer once they depart for Nightfang territory. I am to collect you as soon as they leave.”
Julia inhaled slowly. “Beta, would it be acceptable if we went late afternoon? I would like to rest in my cabin first.”
Kirk studied her carefully. “I suppose that is reasonable. Mira said you visited the healer yesterday. And that the healer found nothing wrong. Is that accurate?”
Julia turned to him slowly. “That is what I told Mira. I cannot exactly explain to her that my mate chose another and the pain I feel is betrayal pain, can I?”
There was challenge in her gaze.
Kirk did not respond immediately. He had warned her once. He had tried to help her leave before this became unbearable.
Now it was too late.
“I will pick you up from your cabin this afternoon,” he said finally. “The alpha’s order is clear. If necessary, we will restrain you.”
Julia gave a faint, humorless smile.
“I wonder what that would accomplish,” she murmured. “Every night, I feel the betrayal pain. What will the healer do for that? Tie me down so I cannot claw myself?” She looked past him, unfocused. “There is nothing that relieves this pain but death.”
Kirk exhaled slowly. He could not argue. She was not wrong. No herb. No potion. No binding cloth could silence the mate bond. Only rejection. Or death.
He studied her more closely now. There was something different in her eyes.
Not despair.
Not hysteria.
Resolve.
“Rest,” he said shortly. “I will come for you later.”
He turned and left the kitchen.
Julia remained still for a long moment. Then she moved. Toward her cabin.
She needed to adjust her plan. Jason and Willow would leave soon, and Kirk would come for her later. She could not be here when he did.
Her hand rested lightly over her abdomen.
By tonight, she would either be free or broken beyond repair.
Aksara