Chapter 7
Judy’s Pov
I didn’t even think-I just slapped him.
Hard.
The sharp crack of palm on skin echoed through the room. Simon’s head jerked to the side, but he didn’t get angry. He didn’t roar or snarl or shift. No, he just looked at me… relieved.
“As long as it makes you feel better, you can hit me all you want,” he murmured, his voice soft and pitiful. “I can take it. I just don’t want you to stay angry.”
He looked so devoted. So heartbroken.
It made me want to slap him again.
So I did.
The second strike landed sharper than the first. My wolf stirred inside me, satisfied for a brief,
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bitter second.
He blinked, stunned, but didn’t back away. Maybe he thought this was love-letting me hurt him, like that somehow fixed things. Like I’d forget what he’d done.
“Simon,” I said, voice flat, “do you remember what I told you when we first started dating?”
He stared at me, confused. Still hopeful. Still so
sure he could lie his way out of this.
I didn’t wait for his answer.
“I said I could forgive anything-anything but betrayal. And if you ever betrayed me, I’d marry
someone else.”
His face went ghost white.
“Judy, no-what nonsense are you talking about?” he stammered, stepping forward,
hands reaching like he could still catch me. “You’re the only one I want to grow old with. I swear, I’ll love only you-forever!”
Forever?
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He loved me so much that he ended up in the hospital wrapped around another she-wolf?
Loved me so much he postponed our wedding so he could fulfill another woman’s dying wish?
So I could be what, exactly? The backup Luna?
I looked up into those eyes-the same ones I used to trust with my life-and searched for something real.
But there was nothing there.
He never deserved me.
“I see,” I said simply.
He pulled me into his arms again, thinking
maybe this was forgiveness, some quiet
surrender.
But I shoved him off me. Hard.
That’s when his gaze landed on the suitcase by
the door.
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+ 5 Points
His breath hitched. “Whose suitcase is that? Where are you going?”
I shrugged, voice light, almost careless. “My mom wants me home for a bit, now that the wedding’s coming up.”
His whole body sagged with relief. “Ah… right. Some packs believe the bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the ceremony. I know we postponed the date, but if you miss home, take your time. Stay a few extra days.”
Liar.
Manipulator.
He would watch me walk out that door and
move Wilona in the moment I was gone.
I gave him a crooked smile, one that didn’t even bother pretending anymore. “Isn’t there an old saying? A man should enjoy some freedom before his wedding? Don’t you need that too, Simon?”
His face twisted, like the insult hit harder than the slap. “Do you really think I’m that kind of
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Chapter 7
man?”
+ 5 Points
No, Simon. I know you are.
He reached for my hand again, eyes pleading. “Judy, I would never do anything to hurt you. I’ll stay clean. I swear. Until the day we marry.”
Still lying.
Even when I was already halfway gone, he couldn’t help himself.
I stared at him, exhausted-deep down to the
bone.
My wolf didn’t even growl anymore. She just curled in on herself, silent and done.
“Alright,” I murmured, barely louder than a breath. “Take care of yourself. I’m leaving.”
And just like that, I walked out the door and
didn’t look back.
Coming home.
My parents greeted me with open arms and
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concerned eyes. The moment I stepped into the packhouse, they swarmed me with questions.
“You finally came back!” my father exclaimed. “Silver Claw Pack already agreed to the wedding on the first of next month. But weren’t you supposed to marry Alpha Simon that day? What happened? Why the sudden change in groom?”
My mom chimed in too, brows furrowed.
“Sweetheart, marriage is no joke. Don’t do something reckless just to get back at
someone. If you love him, fight for him. If you don’t… then tell us the truth. We’ll stand by you either way.”
I wanted to say everything.
I wanted to fall apart.
But I didn’t have it in me. Not tonight.
“Mom, Dad…” I gave them a tired smile. “I’m really tired. I just want to go to bed.”
They looked at each other, understanding passing silently between them.
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“Alright,” Dad said gently. “Rest. We won’t push. But before the wedding, we’ll at least arrange for you to meet the Silver Claw Alpha, right?”
I didn’t even turn around. “No need. We’ll meet
at the wedding.”
After everything I’d been through, what did it matter if we met beforehand?
I wasn’t looking for love anymore.
I just wanted to keep my promise:
If Simon ever betrayed me—I’d marry another.
And I would.
Even if I had to stand at that altar a stranger to the groom.
At least I’d be honest.
Unlike the man who told me he’d love me
forever.
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