ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 8 - Part B

Everyone stares between us like they're waiting for something to happen, holding their breaths. Most of them aren't pleased, they're horrified.

Jackson releases my hand, knowing I have to face Hardin without him backing me.

I couldn't run, so I turn to face Hardin.

"I can't leave, but your bride can?" I retort with a snort of laughter, putting on a brave face.

"I see through you, Katalayha...you might fool everyone else but you forget that I know you like the back of my hand." Hardin almost smirks at that, and I know he means my body, every tiny action.

Deciding to drop the facade, I glare at him.

"Inside, this is going to get ugly." Luther orders the packs, but barely anyone budges.

"No, it's ok. They can sit and watch as I leave their Alpha, again." I scoff, knowing they're loving this really.

And I turn on my heel, not even taking one step before a large hand wraps around my stomach. A broad, hard chest pressing up against me, his touch making my heart race, setting my body on fire.

In a flash I manoeuvre myself from his grip with skill, ramming my knee up into his genitals without second thought. As he hunches over slightly, I take a step back.

"There she is." Hardin says, a little strained but otherwise amused, a tad angry.

"I'm not doing this." I whisper firmly, ignoring the flicker of pain in my chest as I turn around and walk away, again.

"I was bitter after I found out you were alive, and when you showed up to make emends I said things...things I wish I could take back." Hardin calls out, loud enough for me to hear, and the entire audience watching us like we're the top rated drama show.

"It's a bit late." I spit, fury filling me as I sharply turn around to face him.

He wants to feel bad about it now? After I lost my wolf over it? He thinks I've forgotten every cruel word?

"You know I didn't mean a single word." Hardin states, staring at me so confidently that I wanted to believe him, I did.

But I couldn't, I was vulnerable.

"Do you really want to have this conversation, Hardin? Because I doubt any mother here will look at you the same if you do." I say with a brooding glare, wanting so badly to leave already.

The packs instantly become curious, whispers starting up.

"She came back? When?" I hear someone ask.

"I told Kali that our pups were better off, at least they wouldn't have a mother that leaves when things got difficult." Hardin's voice resonates, shaking me to my core as he tells them a fraction of what he said to me.

His eyes remain on me the entire time, examining me. The words still hurt.

"I told her she was the biggest mistake I ever made...that she repulsed me, that I could never...that I could never forgive her for all the suffering she's caused." Hardin's voice holds steady as he repeats his words in front of everyone, despite the way some of his pack gasp in horror.

He lied to them. He made me look like I had left willingly and never looked back, he never told them the truth.

"I have regretted that day since it happened, and when you didn't come back I knew I'd fucked up for good. I was ashamed, and I couldn't even think about facing you after that." He admits it to us all, loud and clear with a pained stare.

"Then I saw you at the ball..." Hardin trials off, his eyes flashing with regret and guilt.

My heart clenches, knowing what he's about to say, what he's trying to do.

"If I cared in the slightest, do you think I'd actually come here and watch you get married? Are you that egotistical that you believe I still care about you?" I practically laugh, knowing it had to be done.

He has to marry someone else.

"I prefer the term, optimistic." Hardin smirks slightly, and I swear to god I could punch him.

"This is pointless." I scoff, turning on my heel and walking away.

This time he doesn't grab me, but I hear him following me. He doesn't try anything until I reach my car, placing his hand on the day to make sure I can't drive away.

No eyes could see us, it was just me and him.

"Why are you doing this?" I whisper, keeping my eyes cast out to the woods so I wouldn't have to look into his eyes.

"I've been doubting this marriage since I agreed to it, and seeing you today just made one thing very clear for me." Hardin's voice is soft, yet firm.

"What's that?" I wonder, already guessing.

"Layla is easy to handle, life would be simple. She doesn't argue-"

"I get it." I snap, glaring up at him.

Hardin just grins that same heart-melting grin. "That's exactly what I'm talking about! She's not you, Kali...I wanted you five years ago, and I want you now, and possibly forever."

His eyes flicker over my face. My heart explodes with happiness, but I couldn't let myself want it, there's too much at risk.

"You need to move on, I need you to move on." I whisper, practically pleading with him.

"It took me a while to figure out, but I get it now. You think that I'll marry someone else, and live happily ever after with the pack, and we'll have pups." Hardin shakes his head, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I want to start over." Hardin states, wanting me to badly to agree with him.

"Then it looks like we have a problem." I say.

"Settle it over lunch?" Hardin flashes that charming smile. His quick response makes me smile slightly, no matter how hard I try and force it down, I couldn't.

Why is he so annoying?

"You're impossible." I sigh, shaking my head.

"Is that a yes?" He arches his eyebrow.

"Just because you're ready to try again, doesn't mean I am, or that I even want to." I tell him with a slight scowl.

"You never could lie to me." Hardin frowns, slowly pulling back as he takes the hint. I felt some relief by that.

"We're done, Hardin. I accepted that a long time ago and it's time you do too, move on." I say icily, unlocking my car and opening the door.

"Kali, wait!" A voice calls, one that I'm familiar with.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I force a smile and turn around, putting on a brave face as practiced. Even Hardin looks at me strangely, noticing how easy it is for me to fake it.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have hit you...I was upset, you left us and had this amazing new life and...I'm sorry." Winter has tears in her eyes.

"Yes, my amazing new life." I mockingly smile.

"We thought you left...we thought-"

"This conversation is four years too late, go back to playing happy families." I wave my hand in the air dismissively and I slide into my car.

As I bring the engine to life, I felt tears prick my eyes, and I know I couldn't let them see me cry. It was hard enough walking away the first time, but knowing Hardin wants me to stay even after all this time, that makes it so much more painful.

As I drive off pack land, I call Jackson, making sure he gets a lift back to the jet with the Elders.

I didn't have a destination in mind, but at some point I end up far away from Hardins pack, far away from where I'm supposed to be going.