Aylin's feet barely carried her up the stairs, her strides slow and unsteady as she pushed herself forward. She had expected this. Planned for it. Silas, a proud alpha, would never accept her child; he reacted exactly as she expected. She would spend sleepless nights preparing for the confrontation, braced for his rage and demands. She thought at what lies he would believe. Perhaps he would try to bring down the man who allegedly caused her to become pregnant. She thought he would rage, demand answers, and force her to fight for her right to stay.
But she had not expected to feel this way; she did not think it would matter. The man, the alpha, was a stranger to her, but nothing prepared her for this.
Not the sheer, unrelenting finality in his voice. Not the way he had cast her aside as if she were nothing. She had expected fury and had imagined his wrath, but the depth of his contempt had shaken her to her core. It had threatened to break her resolve, to make her waver for a split second. She wanted to throw herself at him, tell him it was all a lie, and that she did it to get away from the pack. Almost… Almost destroying years of planning in a single moment.
She had thought he would demand to know who. That he would challenge her, force her to defend herself, and make her admit things she was too afraid to say. But he hadn't. He hadn't even hesitated.
He had given up on her without a second thought.
The truth of it crushed her as she reached her chambers, slamming the door shut behind her. Her breath came out in short, uneven gasps as she pressed her forehead against the wood, her nails digging into the grain.
She wanted to scream. To tear something apart.
But there was no point.
Silas was never going to fight for her.
A broken sob forced its way out of her throat, and her legs buckled. She barely reached the edge of the bed before collapsing onto the mattress, her hands flying to her stomach.
She had thought she was strong enough. She had thought she was ready. But nothing could have prepared her for the raw agony of hearing his voice declare her an exile.
I will not break.
She squeezed her eyes shut, but the image of him—his face twisted in rage, the way he looked at her as if she were filthy, disgusting—remained in her mind.
A knock on the door startled her, but before she could respond, it flew open.
Lilliana .
Her friend's face was pale with fear, her green eyes wide and frantic, and her normally neat hair hung aimlessly around her shoulders and face. "Tell me it isn't true," she pleaded, slamming the door shut behind her. "Tell me he didn't just—" Her voice cracked, and her hands clenched at her sides.
Aylin couldn't speak. She just stared, silent tears running down her cheeks.
Lilliana 's breath hitched. "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, this isn't happening." And then, as if she had made up her mind, she took a step forward. "I'm coming with you."
Aylin flinched. "No."
"Yes." Lilliana 's voice wavered, but her stance was firm. "I won't let you do this alone."
"You have to," Aylin whispered.
Lilliana 's expression crumbled. "You need me, Aylin. You're pregnant. You can't survive out there by yourself."
Aylin pressed a hand over her stomach. Even Lilliana , her best friend and confidant, thought her master and friend were pregnant. Hot tears streamed down Aylin's cheeks.
'Everyone abandoned me. I was always with you, Lilliana ? When? When could I get pregnant without you knowing? Oh, heavens, you are not my friend.' She thought. The calm that engulfed her and that covered her wounded heart was scaring her, but she had to do it.
"You have a future here," Aylin said, her voice barely more than a breath. "A safe one."
Lilliana clenched her fists. "What future? Without you, what—" Her voice broke, but she shook her head vigorously. "No. I won't let you do this alone. Silas was wrong. He is blinded by rage, but I am sure he will regret it. And when he does, I won't forgive him."
Aylin swallowed hard, forcing down the sob that threatened to escape. "I can't let you throw everything away for me."
'You love him.' The realization hit Aylin with a force she never expected. For once, she was glad that she didn't confide this plan to Lilliana.
Lilliana 's lips quivered. "Then let me be an outcast."
Aylin's heart ached. The loyalty in Lilliana 's voice, the sheer love in it—it was the first warmth she had felt since stepping into that cursed hall.
But she was selfish.
Aylin forced herself to move, to cross the room and open the small dresser by the window. Only a simple silver pendant, a worn leather satchel, and her mother's faded scarf remained.
Lilliana stared at her, eyes shining with tears. "That's all?" she whispered.
Aylin nodded, her fingers tightening around the scarf. "It's all I have left."
Lilliana 's shoulders trembled. "This isn't fair."
"No," Aylin agreed, her voice hollow. "It isn't."
The silence between them was suffocating. Then, before she could react, Lilliana surged forward and threw her arms around her, holding on too tight, as if she could keep Aylin from slipping away.
Aylin let her embrace her, and she stood still as if waiting for a child.
She had thought she would leave with nothing. That she would walk away from Silverclaw alone, carrying only pain. But in this moment, in Lilliana 's trembling embrace, she realized something.
She was never loved.
Silas had cast her aside. Her pack had turned their backs on her. Even Lilliana.
When they finally pulled apart, Lilliana wiped her eyes. "Promise me," she whispered. "Promise me you'll survive."
Aylin hesitated, then swallowed down her pain. "I promise."
Lilliana didn't believe her. It was clear in her face. But she nodded anyway.
And then, because there was nothing left to say, Aylin turned and walked to the door.
This time, she didn't hesitate.
She stepped out, leaving behind the only home she had ever known.
And she did not look back.