I Left Before He Learned My Worth novel Chapter 103

Chapter 108

ARIA

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I needed to clear my head after another restless night spent replaying the pack’s whispered criticisms. The early morning woods called to me-quiet, peaceful, a place where I could think without feeling the weight of everyone’s judgment pressing down on me.

I’d told Kael I was going for a walk, keeping close to the pack house perimeter where the security patrols were most frequent. He’d been reluctant to let me go alone, but I’d insisted I needed space. Time to process everything I’d overheard, time to figure out who I wanted to be as Luna instead of just reacting to everyone else’s expectations.

The forest was beautiful in the dawn light. Mist lung to the ground, weaving between tree trunks like ghostly fingers. Birds were just beginning their morning songs, and somewhere in the distance I could hear water running over stones.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn’t notice the other person on the path until I nearly walked into her.

Ivory.

She stood frozen for a moment, clearly as surprised by the encounter as I was. Her arms were full of what looked like freshly harvested herbs, canvas bag slung over her shoulder. She’d been out gathering despite the early hour, despite the threats against her, despite everything.

“Sorry,” I said automatically, stepping back to give her space. “I didn’t see you

there.”

Ivory’s expression closed off immediately, that professional mask sliding into place. She moved to step around me without a word, clearly intending to simply ignore my presence and continue on her way.

“Wait,” I called out, not sure what I was doing but unable to let her walk away. “Can we talk?”

“I have work to do,” Ivory said without looking back, continuing down the path.

“Please.” I hurried to keep up with her. “Just for a moment. There’s something I need to ask you.”

Ivory stopped walking but didn’t turn around. “What.”

The single word was flat, devoid of curiosity or interest. But at least she’d stopped.

“Have you heard the rumors?” I asked, the question tumbling out before I could second-guess

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Chapter 103

myself. “About us? About you and Kael and me

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“I don’t listen to gossip, Ivory said, still not looking at me. “I have better things to do with my

time.”

“But people are talking. I pressed. “About how you should have been Luna. About how Kael made a mistake choosing me. About how I’m useless and you’re perfect and-”

Ivory whirled around, her eyes blazing with sudden fury, “Are you trying to make this my fault?” she demanded. “The fact that you’re not liked? The fact that the pack doesn’t respect you? Are you seriously suggesting that I’m the one spreading these rumors?”

“No!” I said quickly, raising my hands in a placating gesture. “That’s not what I meant at all. I just wanted to know if you’d heard them. If you knew what people were saying.”

“Of course I’ve heard them, Ivory snapped. “Everyone’s heard them. The whole pack seems to have opinions about who should be Luna, who deserves the Alpha’s attention, who’s adequate and who’s not. But I’m not the one creating those opinions, Luna Aria. I’m not the one making comparisons or stirring up discontent.”

“I know that. I didn’t mean to imply-

“Then what did you mean?” Ivory challenged. “What exactly did you want from this conversation? An apology for being competent? Permission to feel inadequate? Reassurance that I’m not actively trying to undermine you?”

“I just wanted to talk,” I said, my voice coming out smaller than I intended. “To try to understand what’s happening between us. To maybe find a way to-

“There is no us,” Ivory interrupted. “There’s you wearing a title you stumbled into. And there’s me, trying to do my job despite constant complications. We’re not friends. We’re not allies. We’re just two people who happen to exist in the same pack, and I’d prefer if we could do that with minimal interaction.”

The words stung, even though they weren’t surprising. “Ivory”

“Don’t bother,” she said, turning away again. Just don’t bother. I’m not interested in whatever connection you’re trying to force. I’m not interested in being understanding or supportive or whatever else you think I should be. I’m just trying to survive in a pack that’s become increasingly dangerous, and that’s hard enough without you constantly trying to insert yourself into my life.”

I’m not trying to insert myself, I protested. I’m trying to understand what I did wrong. Why you hate me so much when I haven’t actually done anything to hurt you.”

Ivory laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You haven’t done anything? You’re not doing anything?” She set down her armload of herbs and canvas bag, giving me her full attention

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Chapter 103

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for the first time. “You keep stealing and taking things that don’t belong to you, Aria. And then you act confused when people aren’t happy about it.”

“What have I stolen?” I demanded, frustration bleeding into my voice. “I didn’t ask to come here. I didn’t force Kael to bond with me. I didn’-”

“You took the position I should have had,” Ivory said flatly. “The life I should have been living. The future I spent years working toward. Maybe you didn’t do it consciously. Maybe you really are just an innocent victim of circumstances beyond your control. But the result is the same-I lost everything, and you gained everything. So forgive me if I’m not particularly interested in helping you feel better about profiting from my loss.”

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