No Cage In This Silent Night Chapter 01

No Cage In This Silent Night Chapter 01

My Alpha had one iron rule. After nine p.m., his wolf slept. He never took calls. Not a single one.

Five years. He never broke it. Not once.

Even when we were deep in the honeymoon phase, nine o’clock hit and he’d end the call without a second thought.

Then one night, I came home too late. Realized a rogue was trailing me. Panicked, I dialed his number.

He answered.

His voice cut through like winter frost. “Can you respect other people’s schedules? Don’t bother me.”

The line went dead.

That night, I sat alone in the precinct, filing a report. I didn’t get home until morning. He never asked a single question.

I found out tonight.

I was using his laptop.

Stumbled on a sync log in the background. A call record that ran from nine p.m. to nine a.m. the next morning.

Twelve hours. Every night. For five years.

I recognized the number.

Elyse Blackthorn. His mother’s student. His Omega teaching assistant.

I stared at those digits until something caved in my chest, cold seeping through my veins.

I sat until my legs went numb, then logged in and canceled our Mate Bond registration.

His wolf never woke for me. I wouldn’t stay for him.

******

The system confirmed the cancellation just as Kael stepped out of the bathroom.

He was drying his hair. Glanced at the clock. Frowned. “Anything to say tonight? It’s almost nine. I’m going into my rest period.”

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

“No.”

He nodded. “Good. Night then.”

Without a second glance, he turned and headed into the bedroom.

I sat there for a beat.

Just as I moved to stand, the screen flickered back to life. Another sync alert. Another call from Elyse Blackthorn.

And from the bedroom—

That Alpha, who never took calls after nine. Who never replied to messages. Whose wolf was supposed to be asleep.

He picked up on the first ring.

So thoughtful.

Just not for me.

I walked back to the bedroom. Kael’s eyes were closed. Breathing even.

But now, I saw things I’d missed before.

His phone, face-down on the nightstand.

The small black obsidian stud in his right ear—a mind-link amplifier.

His wolf was up all night, chatting with someone else’s. That someone was never me.

I turned off the light.

In the dark, I replied to the transfer offer I’d gotten from IWA Paris a month ago. I’d turned it down then. Didn’t want to start our mated life long-distance.

That reason was gone now.

The Paris director replied instantly: “Lyra, five-year clearance approved. Greythorn City Airport. Departure in three days.”

I confirmed.

Beside me, his breathing stayed soft. Elyse Blackthorn was probably sleeping soundly too.

I lay down, and The space between us felt like a canyon.

I used to ache from that.

Tonight, I closed my eyes and slept.

Next morning, Kael stood in the closet.

I packed the documents I needed for my clearance and walked toward the door.

As I passed, he stopped me. “You’re not tying my tie?”

I smiled faintly.

“No. You should learn it yourself.” I paused. “Or ask your assistant.”

Kael set down his cufflinks, brow furrowing. “You mean Elyse?”

Just that name. His sharp features softened. A flicker of warmth crossed his gaze.

“She’s good at ties. Pretty meticulous Omega. But what does that have to do with you tying mine?”

I paused, not even knowing where to start.

“Nothing. I just don’t want to anymore.”

Kael pressed his lips together. Annoyance plain on his face. “Suit yourself. And don’t pack me lunch today. Elyse just texted. She’s bringing something.”

My hand paused on the door handle.

“Okay.”

Kael had a chronic stomach condition from old injuries. I used to cook for him every day, no matter how busy I was.

Well. Now I had free time.

I pulled the door shut behind me. Didn’t look back.

I got the five-year permit sorted. Picked up my transfer letter.

Tucked everything into my bag. Watched the early spring wind sweep through the greythorn bushes outside the building.

For the first time, I felt weightless.

An idea struck. I opened the mate registration system and deleted Kael Draven’s name completely.

From now on.

It wouldn’t matter anyway.