Chapter 6

Seraphina’s Pov

I waited… I hid behind the doors while the gunshot continued but no one came.

By the time the rogues were driven back and the fighting finally ended, I had nearly bled into unconsciousness.

Only then did someone remember I was still lying there.

A pair of warriors carried me to the pack's healing hall, where the healer stitched the wound and forced bitter herbs between my lips until the bleeding finally stopped.

When he was satisfied that I would survive, I was sent back to the Alpha Manor.

The moment I stepped inside, laughter greeted me.

Alex sat at the head of the dining table, with Cassey beside him, Elias perched happily on his lap while his mother fussed over all three of them as though they were one perfect family.

It was almost impossible to believe they had abandoned me only hours ago.

Alex looked up.

The smile on his face faltered when our eyes met.

He immediately rose to his feet.

"Seraphina..."

For the first time that day, guilt surfaced in his expression.

"I'm sorry. I came back for you, but Cassey's condition suddenly worsened. I couldn't leave her."

I looked at him quietly.

"Yes."

My voice was empty.

"She was in such terrible danger."

Without waiting for another excuse, I walked past them and climbed the stairs.

Inside my chamber, I lifted the cedar chest that held every memory of our life together.

The carved moonstone pendant he had given me after our mating ceremony.

The dried moon lilies from our first Moon Festival.

Letters written in his own hand.

The ceremonial ribbons from our mating.

Every promise.

Every lie.

I carried the chest into the courtyard.

A bronze brazier burned nearby, its flames dancing beneath the evening breeze.

Without hesitation, I emptied everything into the fire.

The flames eagerly devoured the memories I had treasured for three years.

The painted portrait of our mating ceremony curled black at the edges.

The parchment recording our sacred mate bond slowly blackened before crumbling into ash.

I watched in silence.

Strangely...

It didn't hurt.

Instead, an unfamiliar peace settled over me.

"What are you doing?"

Alex's furious voice echoed across the courtyard.

He rushed forward, snatching a heavy wool blanket from a nearby bench before smothering the flames.

By the time the fire died, only half-burned fragments remained.

He stared at the scorched portrait and the ruined mate-bond parchment in disbelief.

"Have you gone mad?"

His voice trembled.

"Why would you destroy these?"

I met his eyes.

"I don't want them anymore."

He frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

I held his gaze.

"I'm ending this mate bond, Alex."

For the briefest instant...

Fear crossed his face.

Real fear.

Then it disappeared behind a mocking laugh.

"You can't."

He folded his arms confidently.

"You have no family. No pack willing to shelter you. You possess neither land nor status."

His smile widened.

"You have nowhere else to go."

I said nothing.

I simply turned away and walked back inside.

Behind me, I heard him calling my name.

I never looked back.

That night, I locked the door to my chamber.

Alex remained outside for hours.

Sometimes he knocked softly.

Sometimes he begged.

When I refused to answer, he slid folded notes beneath the door, just as he used to whenever we quarreled during happier days.

Once...

Those little messages would have melted every ounce of anger inside me.

Now they meant nothing.

The she-wolf who had loved Alex Valcrest had died beside her son.

What remained inside me was colder than winter stone.

When dawn finally arrived, I opened my eyes with a feeling I had not known in years.

Hope.

By sunset, I would be gone.

Forever.

As I opened my chamber door, I found Alex waiting outside.

A single white moon lily rested in his hand.

My favorite.

"I'm sorry."

His voice was quiet.

His silver eyes looked exactly as they had on the night I first fell in love with him.

The same crooked smile.

The same gentle warmth.

Once, one look from him had been enough to steal my breath.

Now...

I felt absolutely nothing.

"Forgive me, Seraphina," he said. "I know I haven't treated you the way I should."

I looked at the flower before lifting my eyes back to him.

"What do you want?"

His smile brightened.

"Come with me today."

He handed me a folded bundle of fabric.

"I had the seamstresses make this dress for you."

I accepted it without expression.

"Very well."

His eyes lit up.

"I'll take you somewhere special."

A hint of nostalgia softened his voice.

"The place where we shared our first moonlit walk."

He left looking almost... happy.

The moment he disappeared, I shut the door.

Hidden beneath the false bottom of my travel chest lay a smooth black moonstone.

The instant I touched it, warmth spread through my palm.

A familiar voice entered my mind.

"Little Moon... I trust you've made your choice."

A faint smile touched my lips.

"I'm ready, Ethan."

His laughter echoed gently through our mindlink.

"Good. There will be no turning back once this begins."

"I have no intention of turning back."

The connection faded.

I looked toward the three wooden chests arranged neatly beside my bed.

Each contained something meant for Alex.

Today marked the third anniversary of our mating ceremony.

I doubted he even remembered.

After dressing in the gown he had chosen, I had barely finished fastening the ribbons when my chamber door burst open.

Alex stormed inside.

Cassey and his mother followed close behind.

Before I could speak—

His palm struck my face.

Pain exploded across my cheek.

I staggered backward.

Then his mother slapped me twice more, sending me crashing onto the floor.

"What have I done?" I asked quietly.

"Don't pretend!"

Alex's voice thundered through the room.

"You sent those rogues yesterday."

His eyes burned with fury.

"You wanted to test whether I'd choose you over Cassey. Have you any idea what could have happened to her?"

Cassey buried her face against his shoulder.

"I don't understand why you hate me so much," she sobbed. "If taking my life would ease your pain, then do it... but please don't hurt my pups."

His mother's expression twisted with rage.

"You wicked she-wolf deserves the whipping post."

The insults continued.

One after another.

I simply remained where I had fallen.

There was no point defending myself.

None of them had ever listened.

None of them ever would.

Finally, Alex turned toward the door.

"I have to deal with the trouble you've caused."

He looked back at me one last time.

"Stay here."

His voice carried the authority of an Alpha.

"When I return, I'll decide your punishment."

The three of them left together.

Once again...

I was alone.

I waited until their scents had completely faded from the manor before taking out the black moonstone.

It warmed immediately beneath my fingers.

"Little Moon?" Ethan answered at once.

"I've changed my mind."

My voice was steady.

"Release everything."

A brief silence followed.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes."

I closed my eyes.

"Let the truth spread through every pack. I want them to watch their precious reputation crumble before I disappear."

A low chuckle echoed through the bond.

"As you wish, Princess."

His voice turned gentler.

"My warriors are already waiting beyond the northern forest."

I picked up my travel bag.

"I'll be there shortly."

The connection faded.

Outside the manor gates, a lone warrior stood beside a pair of powerful black wolves harnessed to a traveling carriage.

The moment he saw me, he lowered his head respectfully.

"Welcome, my Lady."

I stepped into the carriage without looking back.

As it rolled away from the Alpha Manor, I watched the home that had once held every dream I possessed disappear behind the trees.

A small smile finally touched my lips.

I was free.

And by the time Alex Valcrest realized what he had truly lost...

His entire world would already be burning.