Just as Tanner makes his way toward the pack house cell, his father grabs his arm and yanks him away, dragging him into a private room.
"Son, I know what's happening to you," his father says, his voice low and coaxing, filled with urgency. "I'm here. Still alive. Your father is here to help you. I understand what you're going through, and I know you don't want it."
Tanner freezes, startled.
"No. No, you don't understand what it is," Tanner replies, shaking his head. "And you definitely don't want to know."
"You believe he's your mate, don't you?" His father asks, making Tanner's heart pound.
"What?!" Tanner exclaims, stunned.
"I found someone," he explains calmly. "I was curious about why you were so reluctant to let that boy go. She confirmed there's a mate bond between the two of you. And I know, son, you don't want to involve yourself in shameful things like those. Those are cursed behaviors. You were cheated. He dressed like a woman and manipulated you! I know after you found out the truth, that's when you decided to send him away and marry your dream woman."
His voice grows firmer, more passionate. "I know you've always wanted to do everything according to the Moon Goddess's will, and I want to assure you, that bond is not real. It cannot be real. Don't let it confuse you or shake your morals. It cannot be real because that boy can't give you an heir. And as you know, the Moon Goddess blessed our bloodline to rule. So how can she give you a mate who won't give you a child to continue our legacy?"
He steps closer, staring into Tanner's conflicted eyes. "Look at me. That boy must have played tricks, maybe even with the help of evil witches. Maybe he wanted to get back at you for condemning him when you were younger. But don't worry about anything. I'm here. We're going to break that bond. You only have to want to do it."
Tanner's head spins. He has no idea what to think, everything feels tangled in his mind.
His father knows. And… he isn't mad. He's willing to help him.
And it makes sense now. The Moon Goddess wouldn't have mated him to a man, how could she, when a man can't even give him an heir? And an heir is needed. Their bloodline must continue, just as the Moon Goddess intended.
He stays silent. His father doesn't rush him.
Tanner thinks and thinks. Slowly, his father's words start to make more sense. The bond between him and Jess… it can't be real.
He forces his mind to hold onto that fact. He refuses to give space to any other thought. His wolf resists, thrashing inside, but Tanner doesn't listen.
He tells himself that once this fake bond is erased, everything will return to normal. He'll love Charlotte. He'll forget about all the confusion and haunting dreams about Jess.
With that, he makes up his mind. "Okay," he says, his voice firm.
His father pulls him into an embrace. "That's my son. I'm so sorry I didn't realize how disturbed you've been. It must've disgusted you so much, made your life a living hell. But not anymore. I'm here."
He leads the way toward the pack house cell. The moment the door opens, Tanner's heart races. He uses everything in him to ignore the gnawing feeling growing inside. He refuses to look at Jess at all.
A woman sits cross-legged on the floor, chanting. Tanner recognizes her instantly because of the chanting, she's a witch.
"It's simple," she says. "I've already broken most of it. It was hard, but I did it. Now, only one thing remains."
She turns to Tanner. "Alpha Hale, come closer."
He walks toward her hesitantly, still avoiding Jess's gaze.
"I want your palm on his neck, on the mark you made on him. We'll erase that, too."
Tanner approaches. His body burns from being near Jess. All he wants is to wrap his arms around him. But he tells himself this madness will end once the bond is broken completely.
But his eyes stubbornly land on Jess.
Jess is clutching his stomach like it hurts, but his expression is empty, blank. He leans his head to the side, exposing the mark, clearly ready for it all to be over.
Tanner hesitates, then slowly places his hand over the mark. His eyes close involuntarily. Instantly, the memories come rushing back-- vivid and overwhelming.
That night, Jess under him, the way he felt like Jess was the only thing he would ever need for the rest of his life. Their bodies heated, breathes, moans, skin on skin.
He yanks his hand away.
"What happened?" his father asks.
Tanner doesn't respond. Instead, he forces his hand back over the mark. He ignores the ache, the flood of memories, the unbearable need. He suppresses everything until it feels like he's going to explode.
The woman chants, trying again and again. It takes ages, but eventually, she succeeds.
The moment she announces it, Tanner's father celebrates, wrapping his arms around his son again. Then he turns coldly to Jess.
Jess slowly gets to his feet, staggering slightly, still holding his stomach. Tanner almost reaches out to steady him but stops himself just in time.
Jess smirks bitterly. A painful smirk. "Am I finally free? I hope I don't have any reason to look over my shoulder anymore."
He says, the smirk Still playing on his lips.
"Who said you're leaving after doing such a terrible thing to my son?! You chea..." The older man begins angrily, but Tanner holds him back.
"Dad, let it go, please. I just want all this to end. Let him go," he says, his voice hoarse.
His father steps back, fuming silently, while Jess turns and walks away.
Tanner keeps his eyes away, refusing to watch him leave.