Sending me away meant a farm, or worse, an institution. This was the coldest sort of betrayal I could have imagined.
Rage swept over me. “You can’t do this!”
“It’s for your own good.”
“Don’t tell me that. I have a perfectly safe place to be and you won’t allow it! That doesn’t make sense.”
“With that wild man down the road? Kris, this is why--”
“I don’t want to hear any more!” I interrupted. “I was with him this whole time and nothing bad happened to me. In fact, we were starting to bond.”
“You technically cannot bond to him if you’re not an Omega.”
“Do you know that for a fact?”
“I won’t discuss this further, Kris. I’ve made my decision.” He moved to the door.
“Father!”
He turned.
“Don’t send me away.”
“It’s for your own good, Kris.”
“Please!” I ran to him then like when I was little and needed his guidance. I reached out and took his hand, bowing my head in submission. “Please!”
“Don’t demean yourself more.” He snatched his hand from mine and just that much of a yank pulled me to my knees.
I peered up at him. “Thorne will have me. Why don’t you believe me?”
Father shook his head. “Then why isn’t he here? No claims have been filed. I checked. Why hasn’t he come for you? He has not even tried to contact me. No, Kris. This fantasy of yours must stop. Tomorrow you’ll be transferred.”
Was this really happening? Had Thorne not even tried to speak for me? Tears sprang to my eyes. “Where will I go?”
“It’s a very nice place. The best money can buy with gardens and things for you to do. It’s pleasant. You won’t have desperate Alphas coming to win you over. You won’t be required to service them.”
“An institution then. You’re sending me to an institution.” My voice got lost in my throat. I couldn’t believe what he was saying.
“You broke the law. You ran away. An un-mated Omega without any chaperone—it’s illegal.”
“You can’t--” I realized I was openly crying now.
“I can. It’s what’s best for you. You’ll see in time that I’m doing you a favor. This is a gift, Kris. You will suffer for nothing.”
But I was already suffering for lack of my mate. My true mate. Thorne.
Had he truly abandoned me? It had only been a little over a day since Father’s men had taken me. He would come for me. I knew he would.
*
The next morning Father wasted no time. He sent servants in to pack things up for me.
I wanted nothing and would not help them or even look at them as they worked.
When Father appeared in the doorway, I ran to him. “Did Thorne contact you yet?”
“No. I have heard nothing from him.”