e

in shock and deep do

irmed, bright and undeniable. I stared at it without blinki

s things," h

w," I

ter, his expres

tight, my thoughts spiraling but controlled. I didn't cry but I was rea

alking about an Omega who

in the hallway an

, his face set, his stride purposeful. Behind him, Harry followed, tens

closed be

test in my hands, my grip tigh

a

ong the moment my fathe

oned or the reason

unless the decisio

hat down fast. Every elder was present, seated, silent, watching me like I was a problem that nee

my voice level, because raising

ar the wall. Dr. Moore looked uncomfortabl

nt," my father said.

anded clean

ause it sounded wrong, because it ha

e rea

throat. "The timeline

m. "You should

t permit

ped somet

er. "You made decisions

ur life," he said. "T

tening at my sides. "She was rej

d, calm as ever. "And

l up my neck. "S

" another elder replied. "That

t sat heavy in my chest. I wanted to deny it, to find a way ar

e was t

ce, not a

. One year. No expectations beyond legitimacy and stability. No

epeated. "And

said. "If both parties s

at, even if no on

uncil would intervene. Other Alphas wou

hard. "And i

n't hesitate.

owed almost

ause there was nothi

as drawn up th

ond the child. No expectation of affection, loyalty, or future. Publi

because damage control was still control, becau

happened the

al vow required by law. I stood beside Bella while the elder s

ven look at

, like she was somewhere else entirely. When the elder dec

ve, but then I told myself it was prid

et the boundar

ns unless necessary. We would appear together only when re

told her, her ex

s," she sa

or reactio

de this easier but

judgment. I ignored it, kept my distance, focused on patrols, on meetings, on anything that

as easy at first but then,

dge of the room and left early. She never challenged my rules and never pu

it was working and ever