Eight Years Of A Fake Mate Bond Chapter 08

Eight Years Of A Fake Mate Bond Chapter 08

When I said nothing, Alaric parted his lips, ready to spill more apologies.

But the cold, unwavering look on my face shut him down, and he swallowed every unspoken word.

Maeve’s grip on my arm loosened bit by bit.

I turned to leave, but Alaric stepped forward to block my path.

“Riona… this is a supplementary card linked to my personal account.”

Terrified I’d reject it, he shoved the card into my hand and pulled on a tight, empty smile.

“Just hold onto it. You’re all alone in Frost Harbor, you’ll constantly have bills and expenses. Consider it a tiny gesture to make up for everything.”

I stared down at the card resting in my hand, then held it back out to him.

“If this is supposed to make up for everything, I can’t accept it.”

His fragile smile shattered instantly.

He stared at me helplessly, rushing to plead.

“Just hold onto it. I won’t ask for it back. You can do whatever you want with it.”

I watched his stubborn, desperate expression.

I unfurled my fingers slowly while he stared in shock.

—

The card slipped from my palm and clattered to the pavement.

I stepped around it without a single pause and walked away.

The next day after rehearsal, I mindlessly scrolled short videos, and a live stream popped up on my feed.

I froze, tapping into the broadcast.

Two familiar faces filled the screen.

Alaric and Maeve.

“Hello everyone. We’re going live today only to apologize to the most important person in our lives.”

Alaric stood in front of the camera, his tone grave and drained.

“I, Alaric Sterling, hurt the person who means everything to me. I lied to her, betrayed her, and dragged everyone else into covering up the truth.”

“I’m so sorry, Riona.”

He straightened his back and bowed deeply to the lens.

Maeve spoke right after him.

“I, Maeve Vance, betrayed my best friend. She treated me better than anyone in this world, and I stole the trust and love that were meant for her.”

“I’m sorry, Riona. Truly, I’m so sorry…”

She repeated the apology over and over, tears streaming down her face as she bowed again and again toward the camera.

—

The comment section flooded nonstop.

Criticism, insults, and sarcasm rolled in by the second.

I watched for barely a minute before swiping away to the next video.

That afternoon, a courier dropped off a parcel at the studio.

I frowned, I hadn’t ordered anything.

On top of the box sat a framed photo of Alaric and me from our mating ceremony.

Beneath it was a thick stack of letters.

I didn’t read through the whole thing, only glancing at the final line.

It read: Riona, the attached documents transfer all my shares in Blackthorn Group to your name.

I know this barely scratches the surface of what I owe you, but please take it.

Alaric had built Blackthorn Group from a tiny security firm all on his own.

Back in the busiest years, he’d slept in his office most nights, winding up with a chronic stomach disorder from overworking.

It wasn’t just a company to him—it was the core enterprise of the Blackthorn Pack.

I stared at the share transfer papers tucked at the bottom of the box, zoning out for a split second.

Only a split second.

—

Then I repackaged every single item and shipped the whole box back to Silverpane City untouched.

I didn’t cross paths with Alaric or Maeve for months after that.

Still, old acquaintances passed along bits of news about them now and then.

Shortly after signing the bond termination papers, they’d fallen into constant fighting.

They blamed each other for everything, even dragging each other to Silverpane City’s court over shared assets and pack property.

Two people who’d once sworn eternal loyalty and marked one another had turned into bitter enemies.

My parents and sister reached out dozens of times.

At first they begged me to give Alaric another chance. Later they apologized, begging for my forgiveness.

I never argued or confronted them. I simply never reached out to them first again.

A month later, a thank-you note arrived from Silverpane City’s Children’s Home, confirming a $150 million donation filed under my name.

I blinked in surprise, then pieced it together right away.

Alaric had donated the money using my name.

I contacted the orphanage to clarify Alaric was the true donor and turned down their invitation to the charity gala.

—

A week later, an anonymous text landed in my inbox.

Maeve: [Riona, Alaric and I have received official bond termination paperwork approved by the Pack Council. I’m leaving Silverpane City for good.]

Maeve: [I know you don’t want to see me, and I’m far too ashamed to show my face around you.]

Maeve: [I’ve signed up for a ten-year volunteer teaching position at a community school deep in the remote northern forest territories. It’s my way to atone for all I’ve done.]

I read the message, feeling nothing heavy settle in my chest.

Seven months and twenty days had passed since the day they’d betrayed me.

No wound, no matter how raw, stays open forever—not with our kind’s natural healing, and not with time.

I could think back on every part of that chapter without pain now.

As for Alaric, he vanished entirely.

I didn’t hear a single word about him from anyone for a full year.

Then opening night of my performance at Moonlight Theater, I spotted him tucked away in the furthest, most isolated seat of the audience.

He didn’t cut me off, didn’t sneak backstage. He sat alone at the very back, watching every act from curtain rise to final bow.

He showed up for every single performance after that.

—

Any time our eyes briefly met, he’d drop his head instantly, too guilty to hold my gaze for even a second.

I’d let my glance drift past him without reaction, refocusing on the stage that belonged to me.

Bathed in gentle moonlight stage lights, I stood still, letting the applause that belonged solely to me sink in.