I closed my eyes, the last shred of hope dying within me.
“Tonight. Eight o’clock, under the laurel tree,” I said, using the last of my strength. “We end this where it began.”
“End things?” Rocco’s voice was mocking. “Caterina, do you really think you can leave me?”
“Be there or don’t. The choice is yours.”
“I’ll be there,” he said, his tone softening slightly at my resolve. “But Caterina, whatever little game you’re playing, we can work through it…”
“Rocco… the doctor said I need to rest. Will you stay with me?” Scarlett’s cloying voice interrupted from his end.
“Of course, baby. I’ll be right back,” he cooed, completely forgetting I was still on the other end of the mind-link.
I spent the next few hours making my final preparations.
I deleted every contact in my phone that connected me to this city.
At seven-thirty, I wheeled my suitcase out the door.
The night air was cool, the moon was full and bright.
Just like the night we’d marked each other, six years ago.
Rocco was already waiting under the laurel tree.
His face fell the moment he saw my suitcase.
“Caterina, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Saying goodbye,” I said evenly.
“Goodbye?” he scoffed. “Where are you going?”
I didn’t answer. I just pulled the completed Rejection Confirmation from my bag.
“I’m just giving you this,” I said. “And then we’re finished.”
Rocco’s eyes widened in panic as he read the title of the document.
“Caterina, are you insane? I am your Mate, your Alpha!”
“My Alpha would never have ignored my calls for help,” I said, looking him straight in the eye. “My Mate would never have treated me like a substitute.”
“I didn’t…”
“Don’t,” I cut him off. “You know exactly what you did.”
Rocco was silent for a long time before finally taking the document.
“And if I don’t sign?”
“Open it and see, Rocco,” I said flatly. “You already did.”
“Which means we’re done.”
A final, tearing pain ripped through my chest.
And then… nothing. The bond was gone.
I turned, dragging my suitcase behind me, and walked toward the airport without looking back.
