Chapter 84: Chapter 84
"Then we need to break that control," I said.
"You can’t break a mate bond, Sophie. It’s permanent."
"There has to be a way."
Lily laughed bitterly. "There is. Rejection. But it requires both parties to agree, and Tom would never—"
"What if he didn’t have a choice?"
Lily stared at me. "What do you mean?"
Before I could answer, Diana walked in carrying a stack of old books.
"I thought I’d find you here," Diana said, setting the books on the table between us. "And I brought research."
"Research on what?" Lily asked.
"Forced mate bond rejections," Diana said simply. "It’s rare. Dangerous, but it’s possible."
My heart started racing. "How?"
Diana opened the oldest book, its pages yellowed with age. "In cases of proven abuse, pack law allows for a one-sided rejection. The abused party can sever the bond without the abuser’s consent. But it requires testimony before the Council. Public testimony. Every detail of the abuse must be shared."
Lily went pale. "I can’t. I can’t stand in front of the Council and—"
"You can," I said firmly. "Lily, this is the only way. If you reject him publicly, with evidence of abuse, Tom loses all claim to you. And he loses his leverage against us."
"He’ll kill me," Lily whispered. "Sophie, you don’t understand. If I reject him, if I humiliate him like that—"
"He won’t touch you," Christian’s voice came from the doorway. I hadn’t heard him come in. "You’re under Luna Sophie’s protection. Under Shadow Ridge’s protection. Tom would have to go through me to get to you."
Lily looked between us, tears streaming down her face. "Why are you doing this? After what I did to you?"
"Because no one deserves what he did to you," I said. "Not even someone who hurt me."
Diana pushed the book toward Lily. "Read the protocol. You have two days to decide. But Sophie’s right. This is the only way to truly be free of him."
Lily picked up the book with shaking hands.
That night, Christian and I lay in bed, neither of us sleeping.
"You think she’ll do it?" Christian asked.
"I don’t know. She’s terrified of him."
"If she does, Tom will retaliate. Not just against her. Against us."
"I know." I rolled over to face him. "But it’s the right move. Strategically and morally."
Christian’s hand cupped my face. "You’re thinking like a Luna."
"I’m thinking like someone who’s tired of men like Tom getting away with abuse."
The next morning, Lily requested to see me.
She was standing when I entered, looking more determined than I’d seen her since she arrived.
"I’ll do it," Lily said. "I’ll reject him. In front of the council. I’ll testify to everything."
Relief flooded through me. "You’re sure?"
"No. I’m terrified. But you’re right. It’s the only way." Lily’s hands clenched into fists. "And I’m tired of being his victim. I’m tired of him controlling me through fear."
Diana appeared with Connor, who was carrying legal documents.
"If you’re doing this, we need to prepare," Connor said. "The testimony has to be specific. Detailed. Every incident of abuse needs to be documented."
Lily nodded, even though she looked like she might be sick. "Okay. Tell me what you need."
We spent hours going through Lily’s testimony. Every incident. Every injury. Every time, Tom used the bond to hurt her. Connor documented everything with clinical precision while Diana provided medical evidence.
It was brutal to listen to. Lily cried through most of it. I wanted to stop, to tell her she didn’t have to do this, but she pushed through.
"He needs to pay for this," Lily said, wiping her eyes. "Not just for me. For anyone else he might do this too."
By evening, we had everything prepared.
Marcus reported that Tom had arrived at Shadow Ridge territory with his five Alpha supporters. They were staying at the border, waiting for the council hearing tomorrow.
"He’s demanding to see Lily," Marcus said. "Claims it’s his mate right."
"Denied," Christian said immediately. "Lily’s under Luna’s protection. He has no access."
"He’s threatening to breach the border."
"Let him try." Christian’s expression was ice. "I’ll handle it personally."
That night, I found Lily standing on the balcony of her quarters, staring out at the territory.
"Can’t sleep?" I asked.
"Keep thinking about tomorrow. About seeing him again." Lily’s voice was quiet. "What if I freeze? What if I can’t do it?"
"Then I’ll be right there. Diana will be there. Christian, Connor, and Marcus. You won’t be alone."
Lily turned to look at me. "Why are you being so kind to me? I don’t deserve it."
"Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you suffer." I stood beside her. "And maybe... maybe part of me misses my friend. The one who existed before Tom."
