Chapter 4 Chapter 4

**********ERIKA'S POV**********

"You do know that rejecting Alex doesn't mean you've stopped being his Luna" Cindy suddenly said and I paused from what I was doing.

I was currently in our bedroom, packing my stuffs and ready to vacate this hell of a packhouse.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"I mean to say that, you can't just reject Alex and think that you're free" Cindy said again.

"I heard you the first time, but why? What else has to be done?" I asked.

"You both have to dissolve the mate bond"

Cindy answered.

"What?" I asked in surprise, "what do you mean dissolve the mate bond?"

"You both are Alphas, though he doesn't know. But mere rejection by words mean nothing, you have to dissolve the mate bond to be completely free from each other. I'm pretty sure Alex knows this as well"

I was taken aback by her explanation. I leaned by bedside table and my brows furrowed even more.

"How come I never knew about all this?" I asked.

"Because you never listened to your father's teaching about mating" Cindy snarled in response.

"Don't push the blame on me Cindy, my father was never an easy going man" I said and continued my packing.

"I get it but still, you have to dissolve the mate bond"

"How do I do it?" I asked half way through my packing.

"I'm not sure, maybe ask someone else, I really don't know how it works" Cindy replied honestly.

I stopped moving again, "who am I supposed to ask if not you?"

"Go ahead and ask Alex" Cindy growled.

"Shut up" i warned and continued.

As I finished packing my bags, I felt a surge of excitement. I was ready to leave this hell of a packhouse, and without anyone noticing, I quietly slipped out of the packhouse.

Inside, everyone seemed preoccupied, likely busy making sure Serenity's room was just the way Alex wanted it.

It really amused me how they treated her with such care and attention, as if she were the Luna herself. Meanwhile, the true Luna was being mistreated and treated like an Omega.

"Just ignore them and let's go," Cindy whispered.

I nodded in agreement, understanding that it was time to leave all the negativity behind. With a smile, I stepped out of the packhouse and onto the streets.

Twilight had already begun. The sky was painted with hues of orange and purple, and a serene calmness settled over the surroundings.

I walked through the dimly lit lonely street, Cindy's voice broke the silence suddenly, "Erika, where are we headed now?" she asked.

For a moment, I remained silent, lost in my own thoughts, continuing to put one foot in front of the other.

The decision I had made weighed heavily on my mind. I had finally reached a breaking point in the brutal life I had been living, and I knew it was time for a change.

This was when I needed to reach out to my family.

I was ashamed though, because my father had told me this would happen and I doubted him and trusted my own abilities.

I stopped walking and replied to Cindy, "It's been three long years, now I'll to reach out to Jace."

"I know this is a big step for you. But remember, you were never alone from the beginning. I'm here too, We're in this together," she said.

With renewed determination, I opened my mindlink once again, a connection I hadn't used in years. It felt strange yet familiar as I reached out to Jace, my stepbrother.

"Jace," I called out through the mindlink.

There was a brief moment of silence, and then I could sense his surprise through the mindlink.

It was as if he hadn't expected to hear from me after all these years. "Erika?" he replied, his voice laced with disbelief. "Is that really you?"

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I felt a rush of emotions flood over me. "Yes, Jace, it's me," I confirmed.

There was a pause on the other end of the mindlink, and I could sense his curiosity growing. "What do you need, Erika? It's been three years, did your marriage work?" Jace asked.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts before continuing. "Jace, I've made a decision. I'm leaving the Blood moon, and I'm returning to start a fresh," I explained. "I want to meet you at the borders of the Bloodmoon Pack, now"

"Alright, I'll be there" he responded and cut the mindlink.

I walked for a few more miles and finally, after what felt like an eternity, I arrived at the border.

My heart raced as I took in the sight before me. Parked there, right at the edge of the pack's territory, was a sleek and modern Tesla Model S Plaid, polished exterior gleamed under the moonlight, a stark contrast against the dark wilderness.

I smirked and slowly approached the car.

The door was slightly ajar, as if inviting me to step inside.

And then, as if in a dream, my heart surged with pride as my step brother Jace stepped out from the passenger side.

He looked different from the last time I had seen him three years ago. His shoulders were broader, his gaze more focused, and his height was impressive.

He had a dark aura around him, one that wasn't that obvious before.

We locked eyes in the dark, and instantly felt an unbreakable bond between us.

His driver stepped out as well, impeccably dressed, and exuding an air of professionalism and discretion.

"Wow, Jace looks completely different!" Cindy screamed in my head and I almost rolled my eyes.

Part of me was thrilled to see him after three long years.

But there was also a sense of competition between us each time. Even if I was the Alpha, he never showed me that respect and instead acted like the typical big brother I'd really wish I didn't have.

We exchanged pleasantries, each trying to assert our dominance.

"Erika," Jace greeted me. "Looking good. Ready to take on the pack?"

I smirked, determined not to let him have the upper hand. "Of course, Jace. I've been preparing for this moment my whole life."

"Yes! You're indeed ready!" Cindy yelled happily.

Jace chuckled, his eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and pride. "Oh, I've always been one step ahead of you, little sis. But I'm excited to see what you bring to the table."

I smiled softly as the driver came and took my luggage from me.

"Whatever I bring to the table, has nothing to do with you, Jace" I replied, trying to sound sarcastic but also maintaining a respectful tone.

Jace finally chuckled and took a step away from where he stood.

"Welcome back, Erika"