really stare, and all I see is a stranger. The Adele I knew is gone. She's n

!" she yells, and the sting of her rej

s flash with something

mate. I've never been. Get it through your thick Lycan

rmur, a ho

. All eyes are on us, on her

Let's talk. Just you and

ces through the air

with you. I want nothing to do with you. I left for a reason, and I'm not coming back. I hate this fuck

s to her

ere my family is." She breathes heavily. "I'm here because of you. But I'm never c

e looks

mething I'm not. I'm not yours. I'm not your mate, if

of me break. She's shattering my

other whispers, so

just shake

ng my fists, about to spe

lights

"Excuse me," she says, a smile br

gr

Elena says, gr

alize I'd taken a

e. Leave the girl al

have to ob

Alex?" Camill

hat she's re

ure she's

ow," I say quiet

t her make her own choices. You can't

's in denial. But there's nothing you can do. She's my daughter, and she's

se. "She doesn't feel at home here. She's t

ization

love wi

's unr

been living in a fantasy. But

e to let

" Elena says gently a

stoicism. I feel sadness, frustration, even shame. I question everything, what I did w

hy would I? It's just

iend," I say, lig

remnants of a smile fading. Sh

er, puffing out smoke. "I

oyfriend," she s

d. "

a girlfrien

one's ever been Adele. I guess I'm part of the Mate

you?" I blurt out, crushing

onfusion in her eyes,

a complete life. I'm in love, I have an amazing bes

ask, trying to keep the

say the same abo

use

et you settle for this place. You're not happy here. You've got thi

bitter.

her arms.

" I say. "Where do you

s. I am exactly who I want to be. I don't pretend. I don't lie to myself. I'

re in her

ng yourself,"

can," I s

s, her eye

y," I say, tryin

yes are bright.

bye, properly." She smi

n is soft. I hate

, Aurora

en I e

nning away

rows

le," she says, s

unning, from yourself. How fast

ut you? I am happy, Alex. I might get married soon. Might be

er, trying t

let you ruin it. Who do you think you are? You don't even know me anymore. You want to tear apart everything I bu

ing, angry

way from us? From your real

u are not my family. Cyp

k, looking

is sounds fami

tches,

feel sad for no reason. Lonely in crowds. It hits you in waves, grief that doesn't belong to anyone.

ays n

u barely like yourself. You cried watching Little Women because you saw Jo March, saw yourself, a

ep c

t sound f

tares

I

s she processes my words. She's different no

nd I can't hide the s

you're looking for. Goodbye,

, but I don't look back. I walk away, k

ille says quietly

. None of us have

say, sitting

moonlight, each lost

I add, as if that alone co

Pietro says wit

always been

I say, but it sounds more lik

military operation

ave if you wanted. Aurora's made a life for herself, and I respect her for standing by it. Sure, she could have everything here, but i

haven't seen her in years. I don't eve

to us, to me." Cam

, but deep down, I do