Nya was sitting on the floor with an open book in her lap. As she tried to find its place, the title caught her interest and she had to peek inside. It was as she was absorbed in it that the door opened behind her unexpectedly. She assumed it was Beta Bent. He had been coming by a few times a day to check on her but it wasn't.

"Alpha Vince." She closes the book and stands.

He goes straight to the desk as if she were invisible. Uh oh. The veins in his temple, the constant grinding of his teeth, how he avoided giving her eye contact, and the fact that they were back early were all clear signs that the trip didn't go well.

"Lee." She mumbles and rushes upstairs and into the bedroom where Malina was packing. Her eyes were wet, but her expression was anything but sad. She was furious, stuffing the suitcase with force.

"Lee?"

"We're leaving."

"What happened?"

"Pack your stuff."

"Just wait a second." She grabs both of Malina's hands. "Why are you doing this?"

"It's over... He doesn't love me anymore. I don't know if he ever did."

"What are you saying? Of course, he did... does."

"He won't even tell me what's going on. I shouldn't have to put up with that just because he is an Alpha." She picks up a few shirts from the floor she had dropped and stuffs them. "I mean, What am I doing? If he would tell me I could maybe fix it... but he won't even talk to me for long. He's changed... all he is now is a huge dick."

"Shhhh..."

"I don't care if he hears me." She raises her voice while lowering her bottom on the bed. "What was the point of taking me there? It's almost like it was his end goal to hurt me. He made me feel like his skin crawled anytime I touched him."

"Where did you guys go?"

"A beautiful resort, Nya, and he even got the honeymoon sweet. It was so magical... There was champagne, rose petals, chocolate-covered strawberries, a jacuzzi, and the view. When I walked in I could have cried."

"Then why would he-"

"What's wrong with me?"

Her brows elevate. "Nothing..." She had never seen her sister like this.

"Then why does he keep rejecting me? Why? Why, Nya?" Angry tears drip down her cheeks. "Why is he saying one thing and doing another? Why did he do everything he did to keep me here just to treat me like this way?"

She was speechless.

"If this is what a Luna has to accept then I don't want to be one." She stands up abruptly and goes to the closet coming back out with more clothes. Those too were stuffed in the suitcase harshly. "I'm not some trophy you just keep on the mantle to look at or to be proud of. I have feelings."

"I know." Nya goes near and forces a hug on her. "I get it, Lee..."

She couldn't hold back her sobs anymore. She lets it out. It was the first time Nya had to be the strong one. It didn't last long, however.

"We have to go." She breaks the hug and goes right back to packing.

"Where are we going?"

She dries her face harshly and grabs her creams and perfumes from the dresser. "I'll tell you once we're off his pack grounds."

"And the others?"

"We're not going to tell them just yet. I don't want them thinking they have to come with us. This is my problem, not there's."

"I won't say anything."

It took only about ten minutes for them to pack everything. They grabbed onto their luggage and gave each other a look of reassurance before exiting the bedroom.

Alpha Vince was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with crossed arms and a glare so sharp it felt like it cut her. She couldn't understand why it was aimed towards her and not Lee. What did she do? Was she the reason behind his strange behavior? Was she to blame for their demise? She only blinked when her sister yanks her arm.

"I knew we should have used the window," Malina states as they descended the stairs.

"Wouldn't have made it far." He throws back and blocks her just as they reach the bottom, trapping Nya on the last step in the process.

"And whys that? Nothing you say can stop me, Vince. You're all lies."

"I'm not going to stop you. Your feelings are valid."

"Spare me." She rolls her eyes and tries to maneuver around him but he blocks her once again, this time, however, he shows his irritation with a clenched jaw and flared nostrils, but she didn't look like she cared. "If you're not stopping me, then why are you stopping me?"

Nya's stomach churns violently when he suddenly transfers his attention to her again. Like an airplane landing, firmly planting itself on earth letting gravity do most of the work. He could revive the dead with those eyes.

"You're not taking her." His tone reverberated through her whole body. There was something different in the way he was looking at her today. There was something extra, she couldn't put her finger on it.

Malina lifts her hand to her hips. "What are you trying to accomplish here, huh?"

"Exactly what I'm saying." He affirms. "Nya, go put your things back upstairs."

She blinks. Every time his eyes found her she felt like her free will was paralyzed.

"Don't do it, Nya."

He grits his teeth. "She's staying."

"Like hell she is... I've taken care of her almost my whole life. You're-"

"She's staying." He repeats even firmer than the last. "If you want to leave, I'll let you go. I admit, I'm in the wrong, but you are not taking her anywhere." He reaches behind and takes Nya's forearm in his grasp, pulling her to his side.

Her breath intakes sharply. "Alpha Vince..." She instinctively tugs her hand back although she knew she wouldn't be able to get it loose.

"Seriously, Vince? Is this your strategy? Because it's not gonna work."

He adjusts his grip. "Look-"

"This might be a stupid question, but..." Nya interrupts. "Is this because I haven't finished in the study?"

"This is your home, Nya. Permanent home. You're not leaving now, not tomorrow, not ever. Is that clear?"

Her brows furrow themselves. "Why?"

"You can't force her to stay here." Malina challenges.

"Are you going to stop me?"

She steps back involuntarily. The wolf in her knew this was the Alpha glaring at her. "Why are you doing this? Is this some type of punishment?"

He rolls his eyes and admits. "It has nothing to do with you."

"That makes no sense. What do-"

"It doesn't have to."

"I'm not staying here." She reiterates. "This is not going to make me stay here, or come back... so if this is..."

"It's not."

She didn't look convinced. "I'm calling your bluff Alpha."

"Call it."

"I don't want to stay here, "Nya announces. "I'm no good, I mean... I'm of no use, I can't..."

"Enough..." He growls.

"Let me go... please..." Pleading eyes gaze up at him. The reality of the situation, the idea of separating from her sister, it was hitting her. She wanted to believe that this was some ploy to keep Lee, but something deep in her was telling her that there was more to this.

He swallows and shuts his eyes momentarily as if turmoil was dwelling within him. "I can't" He speaks through his teeth. "No."

"Ny..." her sister calls her and when she looks over, she knew immediately that Lee was leaving without her. The anguish that was written all over her face said it all. "I know you'll be safe here."

"Lee..." It felt like impending doom.

"I would have fought anyone else for you. You know that right? I just... I can't stay here anymore."

Nya smiles gently. In a way, this was a good thing. For once, she was choosing herself. "Go... I know I'll see you soon."

She picks up her suitcase and blows a kiss before walking out of the mansion. Not once did she look at Alpha Vince again and it didn't seem to bother him.

~~~

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