So, the fates had been cruel in putting them together. Clearly pack law had dealt with this kind of cruelty before, which was why she intended to demand to be severed. The town hated her right now, anyway. Might as well give them something to really talk about.

She tried not to panic as she entered the large town hall. She had no idea how they were able to keep the civilians out of pack matters, but Duke had his ways.

She took a seat in the back with her parents.

People kept turning toward her, glaring in her direction. Up on the stage, she spotted Duke at the podium, glasses perched on his nose as he looked through paperwork. His wife, children, and there was Lucas.

His gaze was on her, and she quickly averted her gaze.

You can do this. You can do this.

When everyone was there, the doors were shut and Duke stood up. He went through all the necessary notifications and complaints that usually came around. He helped to keep the entire pack from killing each other.

“Right, does anyone have any other order of business?” Duke asked.

Her heart pounded, and she stood up as did many others. She kept her gaze away from Lucas, not wanting to look at him. The wolf inside her wanted to go see Lucas, but she couldn’t allow herself to give in to him. Even her wolf was conflicted at times. She wanted Lucas, and at the same time, she didn’t.

People started to talk. Others congratulating Duke on a good year and other shit.

“Honey, what are you doing?” her mother asked.

“Sweetheart, sit down.”

Her parents tried to pull her hands to keep her down.

“I request to sever from my mate,” she said, yelling the words.

The entire hall went silent.

Perspiration dotted her brow. Everyone looked at her. She hated to be the center of the attention, and she didn’t dare look toward Lucas.

She waited.

Scared.

“Miss Little, you do know what you ask of me, of the pack?”

“I know.” She clenched her hands into fists, feeling sick to her stomach.

Everyone was silent.

Duke continued to stare at her. “If this is what you want—”

“No!” Lucas stood.

This time, she did finally look at him.

“Don’t do this,” she said.

“You cannot sever what hasn’t been given chance to even see if it can work,” Lucas said.

“This cannot work.”

“You don’t give me a chance.”

“Why the hell should I? You and I both know this is never going to happen. Let’s face it, you can’t stand me. I’m fat and ugly and useless.”

Lucas gritted his teeth and growled. The rumble was heard throughout the entire hall. Everyone heard it. “And that was before I knew you were my mate.”

“Which is exactly why this needs to be severed. You and I will never stand a chance.”