Kairan sat at the edge of the cliff, the wind tousling his curls, his eyes lost in the vast forest stretching out below. When the search party arrived, he stood up.
"Stop right there," he growled, his voice sharp like the edge of a blade.
He wasn't going back. Not to the palace. Not to the place he once called home. That place never truly belonged to him. He was only a monster in their eyes.
The soldiers halted, their faces a mix of emotions. Some looked afraid. Others...disgusted.
"I'm not going back," Kairan said firmly. "I won't ever set foot in the palace again."
Then he saw him.
Aldric.
Kairan's heart clenched. His omega instincts screamed at him to run into his Alpha's arms. To bury himself in his scent and forget everything. But he couldn't. The man before him wasn't his anymore. He was the King of Luminara. And nothing more.
The memories of last night burned behind his eyes. The horror on Aldric's face still haunted him.
"Kairan..." Aldric's voice was soft. Hesitant.
That's when he noticed Lyria standing beside him. She looked pale, like she was in pain. But she smiled at him gently.
Tears welled up in Kairan's eyes. "Lyria... I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you... I swear."
"I know, Kairan. Come back with us," she pleaded and stepped forward.
Kairan panicked. He took a step back. "No. Please. Don't come any closer."
Then Aldric spoke. "Kairan... please... come back to the palace."
There was pain in his eyes-deep, aching pain. Kairan could feel it. He knew this was tearing Aldric apart. But it didn't matter anymore. Aldric always chose duty over everything. And now... Kairan would choose for him.
He took a shaky breath.
"Aldric... I gave you everything I had. There's nothing left of me to give. I... I loved you. Gods, I loved you. But I guess... that wasn't enough." He let out a bitter laugh, even as tears streamed down his cheeks. "We were never meant to end well. You knew it too. That's why you never marked me."
"That's not-" Aldric began, stepping forward.
"No," Kairan cut him off. "Don't. There's no need to explain."
He looked up, eyes fierce now despite the tears.
"I free you from this bond."
Then, with trembling hands, he drew a dagger and cut his wrist, blood dripping freely as he squeezed it over his palm.
"I, Kairan Eryndor... reject Aldric Vaelor as my mate."
"No! Kairan-!" Aldric screamed, his voice full of anguish.
In that moment, the bond snapped.
Both of them collapsed to the ground, clutching their chests as pain tore through them. Mating bonds were sacred... and breaking one felt like dying.
"Kairan... why?" Aldric gasped. "Please... let me fix this. Just come back. Give me a chance..."
Kairan shook his head weakly. "You're not bound to me anymore, Aldric. And I release you from the promise you made to my mother."
He turned to Lyria, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Lyria... I'm sorry. I hurt you-intentionally or not-it doesn't matter. I'll carry that guilt forever."
Lyria opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Kairan stepped back.
He turned to Aldric once more.
He bowed.
"I hope you become the just and noble king you always wanted to be... Your Highness."
And then... he closed his eyes and jumped off the cliff.
The Valley near the Light fea kingdom...
Raiven Draevar and his convoy had just reached the valley.
His Alpha instincts suddenly flared, sharp and urgent.
Something was wrong.
He looked up- someone was falling.
Protect.
The alpha in him snapped awake, surging forward before thought could catch up.
He called upon the wind. Air gathered beneath his feet as he launched into the sky, his silver hair whipping in the breeze, his crimson eyes locked on the falling figure.
He caught the man just before he hit the ground, wrapping him in a protective embrace as they landed gently.
Raiven's heart clenched at the sight of the man in his arms. The Omega's body was bruised, cold, and far too still. Raiven, who was always cold, always distant, felt something inside him break.
A single tear slipped down his cheek.
"Mine," he whispered before he even realized the word had left his mouth.
Then he noticed the locket around Kairan's neck-and he knew what to do.
He turned to Kael, his voice quiet but commanding. "We're going to the Enchanted Forest of Elarion."
Kael gave him a knowing smirk, understanding without needing words.
Behind them, the soldiers of the Dark Fae army stood stunned. They had never seen their cold, ruthless prince act like this. But none of them dared question it.
Raiven held Kairan tighter as he led the way.
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