“Eric! We’re going to be late! The members of the healing committee are all waiting-
“Get out of my way!” he shoved Gianna aside roughly, ignoring her cry, and continued forward. But when he looked up again to search, the figure he’d seen was already gone through the exit.
The boiling heat in his blood turned instantly to ice. Frustration and pain exploded in his chest. He turned to Gianna furiously, his eyes glinting dangerously.
“What do you think you’re doing!”
The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the airport, drawing countless curious stares. Gianna stumbled back from the force, a bright red handprint quickly appearing on her face.
She clutched her cheek in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief. “Eric, you… how dare you hit me in public?”
1/2
Chapte 8
+25 Bonus
As the daughter of the Thunder Ridge pack leader, she had never suffered such humiliation.
The onlookers‘ gazes felt like countless knives stabbing at her dignity. She couldn’t care less, just stared at the furious Eric.
“Do you know why I hit you?” Eric demanded in a low voice, each word like a poisoned blade.
“I don’t know! I was just reminding you not to be late!” Gianna retorted, tears in her eyes, full of grievance.
Was it wrong for her to love him? Why had he invited her to Los Angeles in the first place, only to treat her so cruelly now?
“You don’t have to follow me,” Eric said coldly, turning and striding towards the exit.
Those words caught in Gianna’s throat.
Yes, it was her own stubbornness that made her follow him. It was her, knowing she was despised, who still clung to him. Even after he ruined their bonding ceremony, she still found excuses to stay by his side, hoping he would one day change his mind.
“Why?” she cried out, as if questioning the whole world. “You were the one who agreed! You agreed to bond with me!”
Five years ago, Gianna had joyfully put on the traditional werewolf bonding robe, standing on the moonlit altar, waiting for her destined Alpha. She thought it would be the most glorious moment of her life.
Yet Eric had destroyed it all so easily.
When the Wolf Shaman asked Eric if he was willing to bond with her and accept the Moon Goddess’s blessing, to everyone’s surprise, Eric remained silent for a long time before coldly saying, “I am not willing.”
“I am not willing to bond with Gianna.”
He threw down the silver insignia representing eternal commitment, took off the so–called Alpha ceremonial robes, and turned to leave amidst the shocked stares of all the guests.
Leaving behind a stunned crowd and Gianna’s humiliated tears.
The Dark Moon pack and the Thunder Ridge pack became the laughingstock of Los Angeles.
Everyone mocked their carefully planned alliance that had ended in such a dramatic fashion.