After dinner, Abelard called me again. This time, it was answered. His anger finally had an outlet:

“Peaches! You disgusting omega, you didn’t come home for the wedding, upsetting Mom and Dad. Do you think you're so important, that playing games with us is fun?”

There was a moment of silence. Then a hoarse male voice came through:

“I’m her mate.”

“She says that your entire family is repulsive and that she won’t be coming back to see you.”

“Don’t call again.”

The call ended. Abelard stared in disbelief, then, after a moment, furiously kicked over a chair and cursed.

But I was already paralyzed, my strength entirely drained. The...