The Bet That Cost Him His Mate Chapter 09

The Bet That Cost Him His Mate Chapter 09

The night before the full moon the following year, an unknown number called my phone.

I answered it without thinking.

Wyatt’s gravelly, drunk voice came through the speaker. “Valerie.”

Honestly, with how busy my life was, I had almost forgotten about him.

I didn’t say anything.

“Tomorrow is the day we were supposed to have our bonding ceremony. I promised you. I had it all planned out, did you know that…? I got a new ring, with the sapphire you liked. I planned the decorations… but you left.” He let out a hollow, broken laugh. “You really left. Everyone said you’d come back. I told myself you’d come back. I thought if I just explained everything, you’d soften up.”

“But you left. You’re really gone.”

I gazed out the window into the dark gardens.

Down below, Silas was standing in the courtyard.

“You still think I left just because of that bet,” I said. “But I didn’t. I left a little bit at a time, Wyatt. Every time you made me swallow my pride, every time you ignored how I felt, I stepped further away from you. By the time I got on that plane, there wasn’t enough of me left to stay.”

His breath hitched. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“Does that mean anything to you?”

“It means something to you. It means nothing to me.”

I heard the quiet sound of him sobbing.

“I can change.”

“Maybe you can,” I murmured softly. “But I won’t be the woman you use for practice.”

A long silence stretched between us.

Then I said, “Tomorrow is the full moon. I used to look forward to it. But from now on, it’s just another day. It doesn’t mean anything special.”

There was some rustling on the other end. A moment later, another man’s voice came on the line.

“Lady Sterling? This is Wyatt’s Beta. I apologize. He’s had too much to drink. He shouldn’t have called you.”

“It’s fine,” I said.

I paused, then added, “Take care of him.”

I hung up and stood there until the screen went dark.

Silas looked up at me from the courtyard, but he didn’t call out.

He just waited until I walked downstairs, and then he kissed me. In that moment, I knew I was no longer waiting for old wounds to heal. They were already gone.

Two years later, at the North American Werewolf Alliance Summit, my father handed me the dark gold scepter of ultimate authority.

“From this day forward,” he announced, “the packs of North America answer to you.”

Amidst thunderous applause, I gripped the scepter.

After the banquet, I strolled toward the exit with Silas by my side.

He was holding a stack of gold-foiled bonding ceremony invitations. He had designed the fonts and crests himself. He cared deeply about the details, and I happily let him fuss over it.

Near the doors, Wyatt stepped out of the shadows.

He looked much more grounded and mature than before.

Our eyes met. He raised his glass, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

As we got closer, he approached, keeping the careful, respectful distance of a man who finally understood boundaries. “Valerie.”

Silas stood quietly by my side.

Wyatt’s eyes fell to the invitations in Silas’s hand. The cream-colored paper bore the intertwined crests of the Sterling and Thorne families. “You’re having your bonding ceremony.”

I nodded. “Next month. At the Moon Goddess Sanctuary.”

For a split second, the old phantom pain crossed his face.

But he let it pass. He didn’t say any of the pointless things he used to say. “Does he treat you well?”

I gazed at Silas. He didn’t answer for me. He never did anything to overshadow me.

“Yes,” I said. “More than well.”

“That’s good. I want you to be happy, Valerie. I truly do.”

“I am.”

He gave a faint, sad, but genuine smile. “I’m glad. At least one of us got a happy ending.”

I could have been cruel, but my absolute victory in life and love had made me generous.

“I hope you find yours too,” I said.

Outside, the night air was crisp and cold.

Silas draped his heavy coat over my shoulders, his thumb gently brushing against the gold wolf crest on my lapel. “Ready to go?”

I smiled up at him. “Always.”

I had absolute power. I had a family that adored me. I had a home waiting for me.

More importantly, I had a perfect, equal love.

My life was finally free from ridiculous bets and settling for less.

I looped my arm through Silas’s and walked toward the waiting motorcade.

As the car door opened, the dark gold wolf crest gleamed under the streetlights.

This time, I didn’t have to run from anyone, or anywhere.

I was exactly where I belonged.