Chapter 4: To die.

June 10 2026, 4:23pm

At first, Nyx’ara wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but the sound refused to slip past her dry lips. Her body shook with rage and contempt, and her eyes burned until they became bloodshot.

These people had locked her up for three years, making her miss her chance at a proper education. They had broken her body, ruined her wolf, and now they were about to do it all over again without remorse!

On the other hand, Elara was pressed into Flynn’s side. She glared daggers at Nyx’ara. It didn’t take a genius for Nyx’ara to know that this was all Elara’s doing.

The only person her family would sacrifice her for is Elara.

Flynn suddenly pressed his hand on her shoulder. For the first time in Nyx’ara’s entire life, she didn’t feel pleasure from that touch. She felt pain. Real searing pain. She jerked away from him before she could understand what she was feeling, only to freeze when she saw the pained look in his eyes.

"You may not know this, but ever since you pushed Elara from the library three years ago, she has been having nightmares and tremors. Because of you, she’s reliving that fall constantly," he said softly.

Oh goddess, that was a lie!

"You’ve viciously put her through so much psychological trauma that she would return there with the intention of throwing herself off..." he trailed off. "So, let’s just say that yesterday’s accident was your fault. It’s only reasonable that you face the consequences of your actions."

Nyx’ara gasped in disbelief.

"My a-actions?" Her voice was scratchy.

She shook her head, ignoring the way her family members all agreed without hesitation.

"D-do you realize how s-stupid t-this sounds and how c-crazy it is to a-accuse me of a crime I didn’t commit? F-Flynn, I was s-still in prison yesterday! No one would b-believe I did it!" She rasped.

The rest of her words died in her throat when he struck her face. Her head veered to one side from the force of the hit, and tears stung her eyes. Flynn jabbed his finger against her forehead.

He growled, "As far as they know, you were released last week on parole."

Nyx’ara’s eyes went wide as he continued.

"It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve committed such a crime. They would think that the years you spent in the dungeon have driven you mad."

Oh, so this was carefully planned?

The iciness in his tone sent goosebumps along her skin. But what made her most upset was the way his eyes flashed viciously.

Gone was his guilt. It was replaced now with authority. He grabbed her upper arm, squeezed it tightly until his fingers dug into her skin. Her chest twisted with such intense pain that every breath she took felt like she was dragging glass over her heart.

"W-Why are you d-doing this?" Tears poured down her face. "It’s b-been three y-years. I’ll n-not let you do t-this to me again!"

Flynn’s gaze softened, and his expression cracked just enough for guilt to slip in... until—

"Why can’t you do this little thing for me this once, sister?!" Elara cried out, her soft, sultry voice slipping through the cracks that had formed in Flynn’s armor. "If it were me, I would’ve helped you without hesitation!"

Elara began to cry hysterically.

Nyx’ara watched with a cold heart. Her family rushed to her stepsister’s side to console her.

No one realized that they were trying to condemn Nyx’ara on her own birthday, or even apologize for the abuse she faced for three whole years.

Celine pulled Elara into a hug while her father stood in front of her like a human shield. Tristan, who was also protecting her, glared at Nyx’ara like she was the villain.

And goddess, she had not even recovered from that when Flynn’s fingers suddenly closed down on her arm and began to dig into her flesh, breaking her skin. His voice dropped into a deadly whisper, washing over her body as he hissed;

"If you refuse, I will kill you."

Just as Nyx’ara thought that death would be better than this persistent nightmare, Flynn added;

"But before I kill you, I will kill that pesky little friend of yours!"

Nyx’ara’s heart skipped a beat. There was only one person who showed her care in the three years she had been abandoned by everyone. In fact, she was just here this morning to slip her a piece of cake.

Berlin.

Her throat burned. "Y-You wouldn’t d-dare!"

But even as she said that, her heart still thrashed wildly with fear. Her body was trembling so violently that she couldn’t hold her own weight.

Flynn crossed his arms over his chest, his expression cold as he sneered.

"She ought to be flogged a hundred times for blatantly disobeying my orders and visiting your cells. Her body will be burned at the pier."

Nyx’ara’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t believe that this was the same man she once loved deeply. The Flynn she knew wouldn’t even hurt a fly. His warm, disgusting breath fanned across her face.

He continued, sneering, "Her blood will be on your han—"

"I will do it!" Nyx’ara cried out desperately, interrupting him.

Her fingers dug into her dress and tears seeped out of her eyes. It took her a moment to piece herself together.

"I-I will do it. L-Leave B-Berlin o-out of this."

"Good," Flynn said, pulling back. "Finally, you’re being sensible."

His words made Nyx’ara’s chest ache. But wiping the tears off her face, she added, "But before we go on, I a-also want you to k-know, Flynn, that I, Nyx’ara Devereux, f-formally reject you as my mate. Henceforth, w-we have no ties b-binding us together, n-now and forevermore."

Silence.

She had not warned him. She just wanted to be free from him.

The tension in the air was so thick that it could be felt on the skin. For a moment, she saw guilt, regret, pain, and disbelief flicker across his face. His jaw worked as if he had something to say, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, Elara beat him to it.

"Are you reconsidering it, Flynn?"

At once, his mask of indifference was back.

"I thought you said you’d only love me," Elara continued with tears in her eyes. "Accept Nyx’ara’s rejection. Unless you’re still in love with her?"

Flynn drew himself to his full height. He cast Nyx’ara one last cold glance before he hissed, "I, Flynn Ravenscroft, also formally reject you, Nyx’ara Devereux, as my mate. Henceforth, we have no ties binding us together... now and forevermore."

The air crackled.

As soon as those words slipped past his lips, a searing pain laced through Nyx’ara’s body, knocking the air out of her lungs. Her knees crashed to the floor as she cried in pain. Every movement brought about searing, needle-like sensations through her body.

She vaguely heard the sound of their retreating footsteps as they left her to rot alone.

Weak, she closed her eyes and slowly slipped into unconsciousness.

But before she finally let go, she felt something strange prickle at the tips of her fingers, like an energy... a strong one.

It seemed to crawl up her back, sending waves of energy through her spine and gut. Her back arched against the floor when the energy became too much to bear, and her eyes snapped open, only for a moment— but long enough for a weird gleam to shine in her dull blue eyes. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

And then everything went black.

***

June 11 2026, 8:18am.

"There she is."

Nyx’ara woke up to a kick against her abdomen. It took her a moment to realize it was morning. Her entire body felt like it was burning, but she wasn’t given time to rest.

Flynn had arrived, along with three burly bodyguards and the rest of Nyx’ara’s family. Other pack members were also present, including Berlin, whose eyes were red and puffy. When she realized that Nyx’ara was staring at her, Berlin refused to meet her eyes.

Flynn shoved Berlin forward. Nyx’ara frowned.

"Tell everyone what you told me," he snarled, causing Berlin to flinch at the sound of his voice.

Something twisted in Nyx’ara’s chest when Berlin dropped to her knees and cried out; "I saw her!"

Saw who?

Berlin was shaking violently, her body heaving as she wrapped her arms around her frail body. And then she slowly pointed... at Nyx’ara.

Nyx’ara stilled.

"I was at the rooftop library with Nyx’ara," Berlin continued. "I saw her push the princess off!"