Chapter 42: Chapter 42

~ NYSSA

I shoved my clothes into my bag, blinking back the tears that gathered around my eyes.

Rowan’s words replayed in my head over again like a never-ending loop.

It was bad enough that he’d turned me away, but flat out sending me away like I was nothing— it hurt more than I cared to admit.

I didn’t sleep all night.

I sat in bed, staring at the box in front of my—the—door. My bonfire outfit sat in the cupboard, and it seemed to mock me.

It was crazy how I started the day feeling excited at the prospect of feeling included and right now, I wasn’t sure I could feel more alone.

At the first ray of sight of the sun peeking over the horizon, I grabbed my box, but at the last minute, chose to abandon it. I didn’t bring any clothes with me when I came. Everything here belonged to him and I’d be damned if I let myself take anything else from him.

All I had were the clothes on my back; a pair of sweats and a simple crop top. It did nothing against the cool morning breeze but I didn’t care, I just wanted out.

“Nyssa!” I stopped at the sound of my name, flinching slightly from the noise.

I hadn’t expected to bump into anyone so early.

Leah made her way over to me, clad in the same grey dress as always, hair pulled back in a neat braid.

“Are you alright? It’s a bit early.” She cocked her head to the side as she took in my outfit. “And it’s cold. If you’re going for a walk, you should take a jacket.”

I gave her a tight smile. “Thanks for the advice. I should go-”

“Are you okay?” she asked, her eyes softening with each word. “You don’t look so good. Didn’t you sleep-”

“I have to go Leah, excuse me.” I didn’t give her the chance to respond before brushing past her.

I hated being rude to her. She’d been nothing but kind to me. She didn’t deserve the attitude I’d given her, but it was necessary to avoid bumping into either Rowan or Aria. I couldn’t stand to see the look on Rowan’s face if he were to see me still around.

He made it perfectly clear that he didn’t want me, and I wasn’t going to let him say it again.

The guards were prepping the car when I arrived.

“Do you need help with your things?” one of them asked but I shook my head. “Are you sure, we van help-”

“I’d like to leave now, please,” I cut him off, heading straight for the back door. “We have a long drive ahead of us.”

I said nothing for the entirety of the drive to the pack.

The guard was strictly professional, merely glancing at me through the rearview mirror every few minutes to make sure I was fine, but he otherwise kept his eyes on the road and his mouth shut.

I stared out the window, watching the trees and the sky as it changed from dark to light.

As we got closer to the pack, the knot in my chest tightened even further. I couldn’t tell if it was because I was returning home after hanging up on Henry, or if it was because of everything I was leaving behind

My phone began ringing a little over an hour into the trip, but I ignored it. Aria’s name flashed across my screen twice before finally going silent.

She didn’t text or call again. I figured Rowan must’ve already told her what happened and as was her way, she supported her brother.

The car slowed to a stop and I was surprised when I looked up and saw the border patrol in front of us. I’d spent the entirety of the drive lost in my own thoughts.

They let us through and I was driven straight to the pack house. I’d have preferred to go home straight but I suppose it didn’t matter anymore.

“Thank you,” I told the driver softly. “Would you like to come in and have a drink?”

He shook his head. “I need to return to the palace.”

As he drove off, I realized I never got his name.

We’d spent hours together on the road and I didn’t even know what he was called.

I should’ve headed straight to my house. it would’ve saved me a lot of time and energy, but I knew that if I were to return home without first announcing myself to the council, Henry would be a bitch about it later.

With a sigh, I headed up the steps leading into the pack house.

Maids whispered as I passed but I ignored them.

I heard the questions they didn’t try to hide and the curious looks they sent my way. Some of them were less discreet and tried to sniff me as I walked past, trying to see if I’d consummated the mating bond with Rowan.

I ignored them all and headed for Henry’s office. I lifted my hand to knock on the wooden doors when it suddenly opened.

Alisa stood in the doorway, hair messy, lipstick smudged and her shirt wonky like she’d put it on in a rush. There were purple marks on her neck that were mostly concealed by her hair and her lips were swollen.

The room behind her reeked of sex. It was so strong that I had to take a step back. Henry stood right in the center of it, his shirt equally rumpled as he tried to buckle his pants, clearly oblivious to the fact that I was standing here.

I felt a pang of pain in my chest.

Sure, I’d been in the palace the whole time and Henry and I were no longer together, but that didn’t mean that their betray didn’t hurt sometimes.

Alisa’s eyes widened in surprise for a second but it was gone in a flash. She crossed her arms over her chest, her lips curled up in victory.

I kept my expression blasé as I looked past her and at Henry. “This looks like a bad time, perhaps I should return later.”

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