Chapter 3

Eleanor POV:

My back slammed into a heavy wooden cabinet filled with glass jars of herbs. Pain exploded along my spine, sharp and blinding. For an Omega like me, a Beta's strength was overwhelming. I crumpled to the floor, the air knocked from my lungs.

"Who's the insane one?" I gasped, pushing myself up, my body screaming in protest. "You! You're the one who's lost his mind!"

My voice rose to a hysterical shriek. "You swore an oath to me before the Moon Goddess! You left me alone, a mere Omega, to face the judgment of the Alpha King and the laughter of two packs!"

"When did you become so unreasonable?" Brendan shot back, his face twisted with anger. "You were never like this!"

"I was never publicly humiliated before!" I screamed.

"The ceremony can be rescheduled!" he argued, gesturing wildly at Marina, who was now sobbing into her hands. *"My reputation can handle a delay. Her life can't!* She would be dead if I hadn't come!"

I let out a bitter, broken laugh. The sound was ugly, full of despair. A rogue's cheap trick, and he had fallen for it completely. He had traded my honor for a lie.

In that moment, the last shred of love I had for him died. It withered and turned to ash in my chest. A man who couldn't protect his own mate's dignity didn't deserve a mate at all.

A strange calm washed over me. I stood up straight, ignoring the throbbing pain in my back. I looked him right in the eye, my voice level and cold as ice.

"Brendan, our engagement is officially terminated."

I turned and walked toward the door, not looking back. I wouldn't give him another second of my life.

As I reached the doorway, I heard Marina's sickly sweet voice. "Brendan, you should go after her..."

And then his reply, dripping with arrogance and disdain.

"Let her go. She's just an Omega. She'll come crying back to me in a few days."