Ember's POV
I slammed my hand against the wall to steady myself. My legs felt like giving out, but I had to stand. I had to face him.
"Get away from me, Cade." My voice came out stronger than I felt. "I never want to see you again."
Cade's silver eyes filled with pain. "Ember, please. Just listen to me."
"Listen to what? More lies?"
"They weren't lies. Everything I did was to protect you."
I laughed, but it hurt my throat. "Protect me? You humiliated me in front of everyone. You made me feel like trash."
"I married Victoria because my father threatened to banish you from pack lands forever. He said no other pack would take an unmarked omega. You would have died alone in the human world."
"So you decided to break my heart instead?"
"I thought it would hurt less than losing your life."
Ash moved closer to me. I could feel his warm presence behind me, making me brave. "You don't get to make that choice for me, Cade. You don't get to decide what's best for my life."
