The Mate Who Fled

“Hello, wife.”

When Savannah opened her eyes, a familiar voice broke into her consciousness. The man she had avoided for nine years was sitting beside her hospital bed, perched on a chair. What had happened to her? Her gaze flitted around the room, noting the sterile white walls and crisp sheets.

Damn it. She was in the hospital. She must have passed out again.

She shut her eyes tightly, trying to process the situation. When she opened them again, the man in the chair was still there, his intense gaze fixed on her. The sharp sting in her right arm made her sit up abruptly, flinching as the pain registered.

Right—she had been shot. But she had managed to kill the criminal.

She smirked, addressing him. “Ex-wife.”

The man clenched his teeth, letting out a low growl. “Savvy, you are still my wife. I never signed the divorce agreement you left behind. Legally, we’re still married—and you’re my mate.”

“I stand corrected. Soon-to-be ex-wife,” she retorted sharply. “And call me Anna. I hate that name.”

His jaw tightened, but she didn’t let her guard down. Despite her outward composure, his words had surprised her. However, she had been trained not to show her emotions under any circumstances. Even after everything she’d done—destroying his prized possessions and walking away from their life—he hadn’t divorced her. She’d run away nine years ago, never looking back and never verifying the divorce papers. With Ethan’s help, she had even reverted to using her birth name.

“I assure you, wife, you will not get a divorce from me. You owe me a great deal.”

“You made my life miserable, Carter,” Savannah scoffed. “I owe you absolutely nothing.”

For a moment, Savannah studied Theodore Carter—the man she had once loved with every fiber of her being. The man who had once been the center of her universe now felt like a stranger. Years of hatred had faded, only to be replaced by a hollow longing. His charm, which had once captivated so many, was now tempered by a rugged seriousness. Even with the passage of time, his handsome features hadn’t diminished. His dark stubble framed a sharply defined jawline, and there was a raw, almost primal magnetism to him.

Too wealthy. Too attractive. Too spoiled by his fame and notoriety. He had it all. Exceptional talents—rare even among werewolves. He wasn’t just an ordinary werewolf; he was a top-tier hunter and leader of a royal pack. Now, as an Alpha, he needed a Luna. And that, Savannah realized, was why he was here.

He had also gained infamy for his love life. Women fawned over him, their admiration more for his amorous exploits than his other accomplishments. Over the years, Savannah had seen countless photos and articles of him with various women splashed across entertainment channels and gossip websites. Each instance had been like a dagger to her heart, a painful reminder that he had moved on while she had struggled to rebuild herself.

“Did I meet your expectations, sweetheart?” he teased, his smirk growing as he caught her assessing him.

“Not bad,” she replied, smirking in return. “You did well.”

“You too, sweetheart. You’re as beautiful as ever,” he murmured, his voice filled with a warmth that caught her off guard.

Savannah’s smile faltered as she looked away. “I got rid of all the baby fat,” she said softly. “You can’t call me a walking washing machine anymore. But I didn’t turn into a butterfly—I’m just a boring bee. Still dull as ever.” She laughed, but the hollowness in her voice betrayed her pain.

Before Theo could respond, the door opened, and a middle-aged doctor entered the room.

“Your blood sugar was dangerously low, which caused you to faint,” the doctor explained. “According to the gentleman who brought you here, you have a history of hypoglycemia. This is typical for someone with Type I Diabetes. You’ll need to stay overnight for observation, but the gunshot wound wasn’t deep. You should be fine by tomorrow.”

“What’s a medical ID?” Theo asked, frowning.

Savannah raised her wrist, displaying a slim bracelet. “It’s essential for managing my condition and staying safe,” she explained, her voice weary. She hated this moment. Why had Theo chosen this of all times to reappear—when she was at her most vulnerable?

“You can leave now, Theo. I’m fine,” she said, lying down and closing her eyes.

“Damn if I will,” he shot back.

She opened her eyes, glaring at him. “So, what exactly do you expect from me?”

“I want you back,” he declared, his voice firm.

Savannah’s heart clenched. “I’m not the person I used to be,” she said softly. “I’m no longer sweet, naïve Savannah. I’m not the girl who worshipped and adored you. I have my own life now. I don’t need... I can’t forgive...”

“I know it’s hard for you to forgive me, baby, but I’m begging you—give me one more chance.”

Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Ethan Lewis stepped in.

“Hey, my pet,” Ethan said gently, kissing her temple. “You scared me half to death.”

Theo let out a feral growl, storming forward to grab Ethan by the collar. “Don’t touch her!”

Ethan held his ground, meeting Theo’s glare without flinching. “That’s for her to decide, Carter. Not you.”

“I’ll have her back,” Theo snarled. “You hid her from me!”

“She left you,” Ethan snapped. “And your family protected her because you nearly destroyed her. You’re the danger here.”

“Enough!” Savannah interjected weakly. “Sit down, or I’ll leave you both right now!”

Both men turned to look at Savannah as she reached for the food Ethan had brought, deliberately ignoring their heated exchange. “I’m hungry,” she said firmly, her tone cutting through the tension. “Let’s talk about this like civilized people. But let me make one thing crystal clear, Carter—I am not returning to your life. Not now, not ever. Accept it.”

She picked at her food with deliberate nonchalance, refusing to meet Theo’s gaze. “I’ll send you more divorce papers. Maybe this time, you’ll actually sign them. And why don’t you ask Clover? You once told me I ruined your ‘beautiful fate,’ your ‘promising future’ with her.”

Savannah caught the flicker of emotion on Theo’s face at the mention of Clover. Fear? Guilt? Perhaps even love? Whatever it was, it triggered a familiar ache deep inside her. The memory of discovering Theo and Clover together, tangled in what was supposed to be their marriage bed, resurfaced like a sharp, unhealed wound.

“I’m not your fate, Theo,” Savannah’s voice was firm, yet there was a weight to her words that carried an undeniable truth. “If anything, I was created to destroy you. You’re an Alpha now, a man who thrives on vanity, on dominance, who sees power as everything. You’ve always hated humans—mocked Alphas who actually value their human mates. And me? I’m not just a human. I’m flawed. I’m broken.”

For a moment, her composure faltered, but she regained it quickly, pressing forward with renewed intensity. “I’ve had this condition since I was a child. You hated how my stepfather treated me, how he cared for me. You thought I was manipulating everyone, using my illness to get my way. But no matter what I do, my health keeps deteriorating. It’s like a relentless shadow I can’t escape from.” She swallowed painfully, her throat aching as the words scraped at her. “The only reason I haven’t rejected you entirely is out of respect for my stepfather. He wouldn’t have wanted me to shut you out completely. But you? You should let me go. You need to move on, Carter. You’ve been doing it for years. I’ve seen it. I’ve watched you, over and over.”

Her words cut through the room, sharp and final. “Make Clover your Luna. She’s the one for you—always has been.”

Theo’s shoulders sagged under the weight of her words. He seemed defeated as he turned away, his steps heavy with reluctance. Savannah watched him leave without looking back, and yet the sight didn’t bring her the relief she had expected. Instead, it left a hollow ache, a pain she couldn’t quite understand.

He had chosen Clover before, and now it seemed he still preferred her. That day—when she’d walked in on him and Clover—something inside her had shattered irreparably. Even now, she couldn’t comprehend the complexities of werewolf mating, but one thing was painfully clear: she had once loved Theo with every piece of herself. That love had nearly destroyed her.

She wouldn’t let it happen again.

As Theo’s presence faded from the room, she clenched her fists, steeling herself against the lingering temptation he represented. He was as alluring as a devil capable of seducing an angel—but she wouldn’t fall for it. Not this time.