“There’s nothing to fear,” Lucian cut in flatly. “It’s my responsibility to be here. This child is mine as well. If Vivienne decides to lash out, I’ll break the mating vow and end the bond.”
Hearing my mate talk about me as if I were an inconvenience, a burden he was eager to discard, made the blood in my veins turn to ice.
Since he had already chosen to throw us away, then I would take control of my own fate first. I would leave him—leave this pack—and raise my pup without a father who clearly didn’t want us.
A bitter smile ghosted across my lips as something in me finally snapped. I stepped aside, pulled out my phone, and called my father who lived outside the territory.
“Dad,” I said quietly, though my throat burned. “I’ve made my decision. I’m ending the bond with Lucian. I’ll take the baby and move in with you.”
“I’m relieved you finally see things clearly,” my father said, voice steady through the line. “The Blackwoods might hold status in their region, but our family stands firmly on its own. If staying in that pack only wounds you, then leave him. Start over with your child.”
“You’re right,” I breathed.
When the call ended, I immediately booked the earliest possible flight.