All Chapters of She Promised Forever Then Marked Him: Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

Zarya's POVThe moment the mind-link was completely severed, I knew I had lost him. For good.I sat in the ruins of my apartment for three days and three nights, surrounded by broken glass, a blood-stained floor, and the lingering, untouchable scent of him.On the fourth day, I finally moved.I had to find the truth.Rhys’s words echoed in my mind: Are you sure you remember who really saved you?I didn’t drive. I flew, the car a blur of metal and desperation.Cole's apartment.He was the only one left who knew the real Rhys.Bang, bang, bang!My fists hammered on his door.When the door opened, Cole’s face was twisted in disgust.“Get lost,” he snarled, trying to slam the door.I blocked it with my hand. “Tell me where Rhys is.”“You have the nerve to come looking for him?” Cole laughed, a bitter, ugly sound. “Don’t you have your scheming little Omega to worry about?”“I need to talk to him.”“Talk about what? How you abandoned him on his bonding day? Or how you let another man trick y

Rhys's POVTwo years later.I was back in New York.Not for Zarya, but for the Global Supernatural Healers Summit.It was the pinnacle of my career.“Rhys!” Cole ran over and hugged me. “God, you look amazing!”It was true. I had changed.Two years of research had pushed my abilities to new heights.I was now the youngest Master Healer in the Guild’s history.More importantly, I had found peace.“So who’s the ‘we’?” Cole asked with a wink.I turned just as Ilana walked toward us.She wore a perfectly tailored black suit, her smile as warm as ever.“This is Ilana,” I said, my voice clear and steady as I took her hand. “My research partner… and my life partner. My chosen mate.”Cole looked from me to her, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “You two…”“Yes,” I said, holding Ilana’s hand. “We’re together.”The celebration dinner was held at New York’s most luxurious hotel.The hall was filled with familiar faces.“If I could have your attention, please,” I said, raising my glass. “I h

Rhys's POV“It’s too late,” I said, looking down at Zarya, who stood before me like a supplicant.“For five years, you never truly loved me,” I began, ticking off her sins one by one.“You never once gave me a moonstone—the simplest symbol of affection between mates. You thought it was an unnecessary formality.”“My passions, my talents… you treated them as a boring hobby.”“You defiled the most sacred rite of our people, a bond blessed by the Goddess, for a pathetic, calculated lie.”Every word was a silver knife, twisting in her heart.“I… I didn’t think those things were important…”“Exactly. They weren’t important to you,” I looked down at her. “Let's be clear, Zarya. You don't miss me. You miss what I represented. You miss the idea of me. Your perfect, obedient Head Mate. You're not mourning a lost love. You're mourning your broken pride.”She looked up at me, the light in her eyes finally extinguished.“Let’s both keep some dignity and go our separate ways,” I said, heading for t

Rhys's POV“You can.”My answer stunned everyone in the room.“Rhys?” Ilana looked at me, her eyes questioning.“If you want to come, you can come,” I said to Zarya. “But only to watch.”A flicker of light appeared in Zarya’s eyes. “Thank you.”The next morning, the doctor allowed Zarya to leave the hospital for a few hours.“But not for long,” he warned. “The silver poison isn’t completely purged.”Ilana had a formal invitation and a ceremonial moonstone brooch sent over for her.It was the highest courtesy for a guest.At 3 PM, the ceremony began.The location was beside the oldest Moon Spring in Switzerland.We were surrounded by the Alps, the snow-capped peaks glittering in the sun. The spring water was clear as a mirror, glowing with a soft, silver light.I wore traditional white ceremonial robes and a crown woven from laurel blossoms.Ilana wore a deep blue Alpha gown, the golden crest of the Sunstone Pack pinned to her chest.The Guild’s Head Elder officiated.“In the sight of t