《Loose Me Once And Maybe Am Gone Forever》
I was my mate's destined partner, the one the Moon Goddess had chosen for him. For over two decades, Rowan had fought fate itself to win my heart. He loved me fiercely, like his world revolved around me.
But then, a month ago, he betrayed me.
He didn't just stray—he tore apart the bond that was supposed to be unbreakable. And to make it worse, everyone knew. Everyone except me.
For weeks, I pretended not to notice. I played the dutiful Luna, wearing a mask of blissful ignorance. But deep inside, I was breaking.
Until the day I made my decision.
I wasn’t going to sit around, waiting for Rowan to choose me again. No, I was going to vanish.
---
When I walked into the pack Elder’s Den, she froze, her hand hovering mid-air.
"Luna Seraphine, are you absolutely certain? Once your pack mark is erased, you'll lose all ties to us. No one in the pack will be able to track you."
"That’s exactly what I want," I replied, my voice firm despite the chaos in my heart.
Her eyes grew wide, but she did not ask further. Instead, she handed me the blade. With a deep breath, I pressed it against my wrist and sliced through the shimmering silver tattoo that marked me as the Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack.
Pain shot through me, but I didn’t flinch. This was freedom.
As the blood seeped onto the floor, the bond tethering me to Rowan snapped like a taut string cut loose. I felt it instantly—an emptiness in my chest where our connection used to be.
Seraphine, the Luna, was no more. Calla, the woman, was all that remained.
I stumbled back to the Pack house, clutching my wrist as the wound slowly healed. Werewolf regeneration was a blessing and a curse—it erased physical scars but couldn’t touch the emotional ones.
A parchment on the nightstand caught my attention. I hesitated before picking it up. My gaze fell on the content: Rowan's first letter which he gave me during the last Lunar Festival. It was all a lie.
Dropping it , I looked beside it , a single carriage ticket to the northern territories, where no pack laws could reach me. Beyond the pack borders, rogues thrived, their lives lawless and dangerous. But to me, danger was better than betrayal.
My fingers brushed against the old, worn-out charm bracelet Rowan had given me when we were kids. He’d crafted it himself—a crude piece made from wolf bone and leather, but I’d worn it every day since.
Even back then, he’d promised me, "I’ll protect you, Sera. Always."
That promise had meant the world to me, especially after my mother abandoned me when I was barely old enough to shift. I’d learned young that promises were fragile, easily broken.
But Rowan had been different. Or so I thought.
For years, he chased me with a devotion that left the pack in awe. Even when I refused him time and again, he never wavered.
Until the night of the Blood Moon.
That night, I collapsed, my body wracked with pain from an unknown curse. The pack healer said my wolf spirit was dying, and with it, so was I. Without hesitation, Rowan offered himself. He merged his wolf's energy with mine in a forbidden ritual that nearly killed him.
When he woke, he was weaker, slower—forever changed. But I was alive.
That was the moment I finally accepted him as my mate.
He gave me everything after that—his heart, his soul, even his power as Alpha. He made me his equal, promising to rule the pack together.
But now, those promises felt like ashes in my mouth.
I clenched my fists, anger replacing the grief that had consumed me for weeks. Rowan had broken the sacred mate bond. He’d left me vulnerable.
I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of finding me, of seeing the pain he’d caused.
I booked a carriage. I packed my meager belongings. And I decided to vanish into the wilds where even the Moon Goddess couldn’t find me.
As the sun came down, I stood on the porch of my cabin, looking at the woods getting darker..
"You had one chance, Rowan," I whispered to the night. "But you just had to blow it."
Then, with nothing other than the clothes I came into my home with and pain in my heart, I stepped into the darkness.
This is the beginning of my new life—a life without Rowan.
Or so I thought.
Chapter Two
Seraphine’s POV
The crescent moon hung low in the sky, casting the forest town of Black Hollow in a silver haze. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, but underneath it lingered something else—something darker, like a faint metallic tang that made my wolf bristle uneasily.
I pushed open the cabin door, its creak slicing through the quiet night. The warmth of the hearth fire spilled into the cool air, but the comfort it once brought felt foreign now.
He was in the kitchen, his movements deliberate and smooth, like a predator biding its time. Rowan. My mate. His broad shoulders were relaxed as he stirred the stew over the fire, a small smile gracing his lips when he turned to face me.
“Hey, love,” he greeted warmly, closing the space between us in a heartbeat. His hands rested on my shoulders, grounding me with a touch that once made my heart race. His scent hit me—a rich blend of cedarwood and the musk of the forest. But beneath it was something foreign. Light. Floral. Not mine.
My chest constricted as his lips brushed my forehead, the gesture laced with familiarity. “You’re late,” he murmured, his tone light yet probing. “Couldn’t have been easy running through the woods this time of night. The frost bites harder near the stream.”
“I needed the air,” I replied coolly, shrugging off my fur-lined cloak. My wolf stirred within me, unsettled by his closeness yet yearning for something she knew she couldn’t have.
He crouched before me, his hands moving to untie my boots. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as he slipped them off and replaced them with the worn slippers by the door. His actions would have warmed me once. Now, they felt like shackles.
“Still stubborn about the cold,” he teased, his golden eyes glinting with affection.
I forced a faint smile, brushing past him. “Some things never change.”
“Guess what I found today?” he asked, with a playful tone in his voice.He went with me into the main room, the firelight enhancing his handsome features.
“Another relic?” I asked, feigning interest as I settled into the chair by the fire.
His grin widened, his wolf shining through in his boyish excitement. “Better. An heirloom of the Crescent Claw pack. A pendant said to hold the blessing of the moon goddess herself. It’s perfect for you.”
The room became small with him around, his energy flowing like a building storm. Over the years, his surprises had moved from heartfelt gestures to grand displays, as if the weight of his gifts could fix the growing divide between us.
I leaned back, my expression neutral. “How thoughtful of you.”
His smile stopped, a hint of uncertainty crossing his face. “You have been quiet lately,” he said softly, moving to sit in front of me. “If something’s wrong—”
“I am ok,” I replied, my voice sharper than I planned.
His eyes stayed on me, looking for cracks in the lie. “Twenty years together, Seraphine,” he said after a pause. “Do you remember the first time we ran together? The way the world seemed to fall away?”
I looked at the fire, its crackling warmth doing little to thaw the ice in my chest. “Of course,” I lied.
“We’ve been through so much,” he continued, his tone thick with emotion. “When we’re old, I’ll tell our pups about everything—our adventures, our struggles. I’ll carve our story into the pack’s den walls if I have to.”
His words should have filled me with hope. Instead, they were like chains, holding me to a life that I no longer owned.
Later, after we finished eating in silence, Rowan brought out a small box from his tunic and set it on the table. “This is for you,” he said, his excitement barely contained.
I opened the box to find the pendant he had mentioned—a silver crescent moon, its edges etched with intricate runes. It was beautiful, undeniably so, but it felt heavy in my hands.
“A sanctuary,” he said, his voice soft. “A place for us, far from the burdens of the pack. Somewhere we can start fresh.”
The sincerity in his voice made my wolf stir, but the floral scent lingering on him was a reminder of the truth I couldn’t ignore.
“Seraphine,” he said, his amber eyes locking onto mine. “I’ll always protect you. No matter what. You know that, right?”
I nodded, the weight of his promise pressing against the walls of my chest. “I know.”
But love wasn’t a sanctuary anymore, and I wasn’t his to protect.
As the fire burned low, Rowan leaned back in his chair, his expression content. I studied him for a moment, taking in the relaxed set of his jaw, the faint glow of his wolf beneath the surface.
The betrayal still lingered in the air, a shadow neither of us could banish.
Tomorrow, I thought, my resolve hardening. Tomorrow, I would act. And when I did, Rowan would learn the true cost of betrayal.
Chapter Three
Seraphine’s POV
The frost in Black Hollow deepened as the moon climbed higher, its silvery light slicing through the dense canopy. Inside the cabin, the fire crackled, but the warmth it offered didn’t touch me. I leaned against the wooden counter, watching Rowan hunched over a scroll, his quill flying across the parchment. His brow furrowed, his amber eyes sharp with focus as he worked, his movements tense and deliberate.
“You used to leave pack matters in the council chambers,” I said, keeping my tone calm, though my wolf stirred uneasily beneath the surface.
Rowan froze for a fraction of a second, his hand hovering over the parchment. When he looked up, guilt flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly. “Things have been... hectic,” he murmured. “It’s nothing to worry about. Go rest, Sera. I’ll join you soon.”
He didn’t wait for a reply, his attention already back on the scroll. As I passed behind him, the edge of the parchment caught my eye. A bold red mark was pressed into the corner—a rogue’s seal.
My stomach twisted, but I kept moving. I walked to the bedroom, the creak of the wooden floor beneath my feet grounding me. Once inside, I pulled out a scrap of enchanted vellum I used to track the pack’s affairs in secret. My fingers trembled as I activated the spell, murmuring a low incantation. The magic wove through the pack’s records like a web, revealing what I feared.
Her name burned on the vellum: Mina Everett.
Mina wasn’t just a rogue. She was the exiled daughter of Beta Everett, her family cast out years ago for a betrayal that nearly destroyed the pack. But Mina had clawed her way back, building alliances with the rogue factions at the borders. She was cunning, bold, and dangerous.
And her latest stunt struck deep.
The whispers of the pack spread through the spell, revealing her bold claim: Rowan is mine. The bond is broken, and the Alpha will choose me.
The details poured in like venom. Mina had approached Rowan under the guise of forging an alliance to secure the borders. But her intentions were clear. She flaunted a pendant bearing her family crest in her latest appearance at the edge of the packlands—a challenge, a provocation.
The murmurs of the pack spiraled:
“She’s lying. The Alpha would never betray Seraphine .”
“Why hasn’t he denied it? Where is Seraphine in all of this?”
“The bond weakens if trust is broken.”
As I pieced together the growing storm, I heard Rowan’s voice from the adjoining room, low and sharp.
“What do you mean the warriors aren’t ready? I gave clear orders!” His tone cut like a blade. “If the border isn’t secure by the next full moon, I’ll deal with you myself.”
The voice on the other end stammered, but Rowan’s growl silenced it. “Do I have to do everything myself?”
I pressed myself against the wall, my breath catching. My wolf paced restlessly, urging me to confront him, to demand answers. But I stayed still, gathering my thoughts as the man I trusted unraveled before me.
When I stepped out, Rowan noticed the tremble in my hands. Concern flashed across his face, and he closed the distance between us.
“Sera, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” His voice was soft, but his hands were steady as they cupped my face.
I forced a brittle smile. “It’s nothing,” I lied. “Just a tale from the elders. It struck a chord.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly, and he pulled me close, his lips brushing my hair. “Stop listening to those old tales, wildling. They’re just stories. What we have is real.”
But as his arms wrapped around me, his scent carried something faint and foreign—her scent.
The realization hit like a blade to the chest.
When the front door clicked shut at midnight, I peered through the window. Rowan disappeared into the woods, his figure swallowed by the shadows.
I threw on my fur-lined cloak and followed, my bare feet silent against the frozen earth. His scent was strong, guiding me through the trees, past the river, and to the edge of the packlands.
There, in a secluded glade, he stopped. My chest tightened as the door of an old cabin swung open, and Mina stepped into the moonlight.
Her black dress clung to her like a second skin, her silver pendant gleaming with her family’s crest—a bold provocation. She smiled, her lips curling in triumph as she closed the distance between them.
“Rowan,” she purred, running her hands up his chest. “You’ve done so much for me already. But since you have...” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “Why not take what’s yours?”
Rowan didn’t pull away.
My fists clenched, my wolf clawing at my skin, begging for release. But I stayed rooted, my breath steadying as cold fury replaced the ache in my chest.
The moon above cast everything into sharp relief, mocking me with its pale light. In that moment, something inside me shifted.
This wasn’t just betrayal. It was war.
Mina wanted to play with pack politics? Fine. But she’d forgotten one thing: the Alpha may lead the pack, but it’s the Luna who holds it together.
And I was done playing nice.
Chapter Four
Seraphine's POV
Rowan’s laugh echoed in my mind as I trudged back to the packhouse, the memory of him with Mina burned into my soul. My wolf clawed at me, her fury a storm I struggled to contain. She wanted to confront him, to demand answers, to make him pay. But I couldn’t—not yet.
My thoughts raced like a tempest, my chest a cauldron of pain and fury. By the time I reached my room, dawn had broken, spilling pale light across the forest. Shadows stretched long and thin across the walls, accusing and cold. The space felt alien, as though the betrayal I’d witnessed had seeped into every corner.
Sleep was impossible. I sat on the edge of my bed, my claws extended and retracting, the only outlet for my restless anger. By the time Rowan’s messenger hawk landed on my windowsill with a neatly tied scroll, I was raw with exhaustion.
The note bore his familiar scent, a blend of pine and cedar. “Morning, love. Sorry about last night—patrol duties ran late. How about we spend the day together? Anything you want, I will get you.”
My hands tightened on the parchment , crumpling it. How could he write so casually, so warmly, after what I’d seen? How could he lie so easily?
When Rowan arrived at the training grounds to meet me, his golden eyes softened with concern as they took in my disheveled state. His smirk faltered, replaced by a look of genuine worry.
“You didn’t sleep,” he said, stepping closer, his hand reaching out to cup my face.
I took a step back, my voice sharp. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not,” he insisted, his brows furrowing. “Let me take care of you today. I’ll make it up to you.”
I said nothing, letting him guide me toward the training grounds. If he thought he could smooth over his betrayal with soft words and tender gestures, he was mistaken.
Instead of the usual meadow or village market, Rowan led me to the warriors’ clearing. The air buzzed with raw energy as pack members sparred under the watchful gaze of seasoned trainers. The scent of sweat and earth mingled with the hum of determination.
“You used to love coming here,” Rowan said as we reached the edge of the training area. A lone wooden training dummy stood waiting. “I thought it might cheer you up.”
I didn’t respond as he placed a wooden blade in my hands.
“Go on,” he urged, stepping behind me to adjust my stance. His touch was light, his breath warm against my neck.
“Remember what I taught you?” he asked, his tone softer now, almost coaxing.
I gritted my teeth, the memory of Mina in his arms flashing in my mind. Rage surged through me. With a sharp cry, I swung the blade, the impact resonating as wood cracked against the dummy.
Rowan chuckled softly. “That’s more like it.”
He stayed close, guiding my movements, his voice low as he corrected my posture. Anyone watching might have thought we were a perfect pair—Alpha and mate, moving in harmony, bound by love and loyalty.
But I couldn’t ignore the way his gaze darted to the trees, as if searching for someone. Each glance was a fresh wound, a reminder of the lies coiling around us like a serpent.
When the session ended, Rowan led me to a shaded area beneath an ancient oak. We sat in the cool grass, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “Feeling better?” he asked, his voice laced with hope.
I forced a small smile. “I guess.”
A rustle in the nearby woods caught his attention, and for a moment, his relaxed facade cracked. He stood abruptly, his movements tense.
“Wait here,” he said.
I watched him disappear into the trees, his posture stiff. Unable to suppress my curiosity, I trailed after him, keeping to the shadows.
Rowan’s scent grew stronger, mingling with another that made my wolf bristle—Mina.
The clearing ahead revealed a small cabin hidden among the trees, its door slightly ajar. I pressed myself against a tree as Mina stepped out. She was stunning, her dark curls falling all over her shoulders. She wore a flowing black dress, the cloth moulding to her in all the ways that made my stomach turn.
“You’re late,” she teased, her voice carrying a low growl.
“Pack business,” Rowan replied, stepping closer.
Mina smirked, her eyes gleaming as she reached up to adjust the collar of his shirt. “Always so responsible. But you still made time for me. That’s all that matters.”
My claws dug into the bark of the tree as I watched her trail a hand down his chest, her touch lingering. Rowan didn’t pull away. Instead, he moved closer, his lips brushing hers in a way that made my wolf howl in fury.
The bond between us became weak, an echo of what it once was. I always believed it to be too strong to be broken , but Rowan had proved me wrong.
I walked away, my movement slow and sure as I moved back into the shadows of the forest. Each step was a war ongoing to keep my wolf from taking over, to suppress the white-hot anger flowing through me.
The moon had started to rise, its pale light casting long shadows across the forest floor. My wolf paced restlessly under my skin, her growl a constant reminder of what I just saw.
Rowan might have chosen Mina, but this wasn’t over. Not yet.
Chapter Five
Seraphine ’s POV
Rowan leaned against the jagged arch of the rogue den, his amber eyes glinting in the moonlight as they settled on Mina. She toyed with the hem of her tunic, her laughter rippling through the night like a blade. The faint shimmer of her wolf mark on her collarbone glowed under the moon's silver gaze, a symbol of her rogue lineage.
"You’re impressed, aren’t you?" she teased.
He smirked, the crooked curve of his lips making my heart ache. "Impressed doesn’t even begin to cover it."
Hidden deep within the shadows of the woods, I watched them, my breath catching at the sight of their intimacy. His gaze was unguarded—possessive, even—and it shattered the fragile hope I’d clung to. My wolf thrashed within me, her anguish a raw, searing force, but I kept still, rooted by the weight of betrayal.
"You’ve got the pack in your claws, don’t you?" Beta Orin said, appearing beside Rowan with an air of smug amusement. "Mina’s more than just a rogue, huh? She’s a prize."
Rowan’s smirk slipped, his expression darkening. A dangerous growl rumbled from his chest. "She’s not just a prize."
Orin raised a brow, undeterred. "And Seraphine ? Still hanging onto the mate bond? She’s a worthy Luna in her own right, even without your attention."
Rowan’s posture stiffened, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "Say one more word about her, Orin, and I’ll tear your throat out."
The Beta chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Easy, Alpha. No disrespect."
I couldn’t bear to hear more. Each word cut deeper than the last. Turning on my heel, I fled, the forest closing in around me as my steps quickened. My wolf whimpered, her grief mingling with mine, but I shoved her back. I did not have the time for tears or pain—All I need is clarity.
By the time I got to the edge of the pack's territory, my legs were shaking, and my breath came in short and painful gasps. A patrol wolf came out from the shadows, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"Luna Seraphine ," he said, dipping his head in respect. "Is everything—"
"Don’t," I snapped, my voice sharper than intended. "You didn’t see me. Understand?"
The wolf’s ears flattened, and he nodded quickly, stepping aside to let me pass. Without another glance, I strode toward the village.
The market was quiet, save for the low murmur of voices and the crackle of the central fire. I approached the herbalist’s stall, snatching up a handful of moonroot tinctures and vials of wolfsbane mead. The herbalist raised a brow but said nothing, her gaze lingering as I tossed a pouch of coins onto the counter and left.
As I stepped onto the main path, her scent hit me before her voice did—a sickly sweet mix of wildflowers and deceit. Mina.
"Seraphine ," she called, her tone dripping with mock concern. "You look… tired. Rough night?"
I clenched my jaw, my claws itching to extend, but I forced myself to remain composed. She sauntered closer, the glint in her eyes as sharp as her words.
"You know," she continued, her voice a silken dagger, "Rowan speaks of you often. He says you’re resilient. Strong. A true Luna." She paused, a cruel smile curving her lips. "But even the strongest bonds can break, don’t you think? The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways."
I tightened my fingers around the vials in my pouch, my nails entering into my palm. Still, I did not give her the satisfaction of a response from me.
"Don't let me keep you," she said, her voice calm but filled with poison. "He’ll be looking for me soon. You know how demanding Alpha duties can be."
I strode away without a word, her laughter trailing behind me like a shadow.
Back at the Pack House, I dropped the vials onto the table and collapsed into the nearest chair. The silence pressed down on me, thick and suffocating. I uncorked a vial of wolfsbane mead and drank deeply, the bitter burn offering little solace against the storm raging within.
The sun dipped below the horizon before Rowan returned. His golden eyes softened as he stepped through the door, his gaze falling on the nearly empty vial in my hand.
"Seraphine ," he murmured, his voice low and careful. "Have you been drinking wolfsbane mead?"
I lifted the vial, the bitterness in my heart matching the mead on my tongue. "Is that a problem?"
He crossed the room in fast strides, kneeling before me and taking my hand. "You don’t need this, love," he said, his voice thick with concern. "Whatever’s troubling you, we can face it together."
I laughed, a hollow, humorless sound. "Together?" I repeated, shaking my head. "That’s rich coming from you."
He flinched, his jaw tightening. "You’re exhausted," he said softly. "Let me take care of you."
I pulled my hand free, placing the vial on the table with a sharp clink. "I don’t need you to take care of me, Rowan. I need you to tell me the truth."
His amber eyes searched mine, the flicker of guilt there fleeting but unmistakable. "I’ve never lied to you," he said, the words smooth but empty.
I rose to my feet, the chair scraping against the floor as I moved past him. "Maybe you haven’t lied," I said quietly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence. "But you haven’t told the truth either."
As I stepped into the bedroom, I heard the faint chime of his messenger hawk—a soft series of high-pitched calls only audible to werewolves. I stopped, my heart sinking as Rowan’s voice came down into a hushed tone.
"I’ll be there soon," he said, his words clipped and impatient.
The final piece of the puzzle clicked into place, each fragment sharper than the last. My stomach churned, and my wolf growled low, but I swallowed the rising fury.
Tomorrow, I thought bitterly as I closed the door behind me. He always promises tomorrow.
But this time, I’d be the one making promises. And when the moonlight faded, Rowan would learn what it meant to betray a mate.
Chapter Six
Seraphine's POV
Present Day
An hour after Rowan left, a sharp knock shattered the quiet of my den. I opened the wooden door to find a young pack runner standing there, his head bowed respectfully, carrying an armful of crimson roses. Not a bouquet—an entire crate brimming with tightly packed blooms.
“Luna Seraphine, Alpha Rowan sent these as a token of his devotion,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He placed them at my feet and quickly stepped back, avoiding my gaze.
I stared at the roses, my wolf stirring uneasily. What once symbolized love and unity now felt like a cruel mockery—beauty masking the pain beneath.
“Leave,” I commanded curtly, slamming the door before he could say more.
The moment the door shut, my control unraveled. Rage surged through me, white-hot and consuming. I grabbed a clay vase from the table and hurled it at the crate. The sharp crash echoed through the den as shards flew in every direction. My claws extended, tearing into the flowers, shredding petals and stems. The powerful smell of crushed flowers filled the air, disgusting and suffocating.
My wolf howled in anguish, clawing at the sides of my mind, but I sent her back. There was no room for pain—only fury.
I sank onto the fur-draped couch, pressing trembling hands to my face, my breaths ragged. A faint rustling outside caught my attention. Rising, I moved to the window, peering through the thick wooden slats.
In the distance, shadows moved—two figures walking close together along the treeline. My enhanced sight sharpened the image. Rowan, his golden hair catching the moonlight, walked beside a woman draped in an elegant wolf hide cloak. Her hand brushed his arm, their closeness unmistakable.
My wolf growled low, her rage echoing my own.
Another sound broke my focus—a messenger's howl from the far edges of the pack’s territory. A warning? A revelation? I couldn’t ignore it.
I stormed back inside, grabbed my traveling cloak, and summoned the elder responsible for the silver crescent moon Pendant, a heirloom blessed by the moon goddess herself for the Luna.
“The heirloom,” I said sharply when his voice filled my mind through the pack link. “Sell it.”
A stunned silence followed before his hesitant reply. “Luna Seraphine? The heirloom is sacred. It holds the spirits of our ancestors—”
“I don’t care!” I snapped, my voice laced with a growl. “Sell it to the highest bidder. It means nothing to me now.”
He hesitated again, but I silenced him with a snarl, severing the link. The heirloom had been Rowan’s promise to me—a future that now felt like a lie. Keeping it would only remind me of his betrayal.
Exhaustion pulled at me, and I let myself collapse onto the couch, the weight of my rage and heartbreak dragging me into uneasy sleep.
The scent of cedar and musk woke me. Rowan.
My eyes opened to find him crouched before me, his golden gaze searching my face. His lips brushed mine lightly, tentative and soft.
“Seraphine,” he murmured, his voice thick with concern. “What’s going on? I’ve heard troubling whispers—about the heirloom, the patrols, even shifts in territory ownership. Are you all right?”
His feigned concern stoked the embers of my anger into a roaring flame.
“Just minor misunderstandings among the elders,” I said coolly, keeping my tone detached.
His eyes flicked toward the door where the massacre of roses had been. The pack had cleaned the mess, but his wolf instincts caught the lingering tension in the air.
“You’ve been distant lately,” he said cautiously. “If something’s wrong, you can tell me.”
I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and sharp. “Can I?”
He tightened his jaw, his golden eyes becoming dark, but he did not say anything. Instead, he moved to the hearth, busying himself with stoking the fire and preparing our meal. The sight of him playing the role of a caring mate was almost laughable.
When he set a plate of roasted meat and wild herbs before me, my wolf growled low in warning. I ignored the food, my mind racing with the images of Rowan and the woman.
Rowan’s demeanor shifted subtly as he finished eating. His lips curled into a faint, private smile as if his thoughts were far from me.
“I have a council meeting,” he announced abruptly, pulling on his cloak. “Don’t worry about the dishes—I’ll handle it later.”
Before I could reply, he was gone, the door closing behind him with a finality that left my chest hollow.
The howl of another messenger reached my ears—a mournful, lingering note that carried new information. I stepped outside, following the sound.
At the forest’s edge, two patrol wolves exchanged hurried whispers.
“She’s always at his side now,” one said. “Some say she’ll be named the new Luna soon.”
My claws extended involuntarily, digging into the wooden railing of the den.
I stormed back inside and began packing. Cloaks, trinkets, personal belongings—everything that tied me to this place. By the time I finished, the Pack House was stripped of any trace of me.
As the wagon rumbled toward the border, I felt the bond between Rowan and me stretch, its once-unbreakable grip loosening.
A final howl reached me, carrying Rowan’s message through the pack link.
“You sold the Heirloom? Why? What’s happening?”
I smiled grimly, my voice cold and steady as I whispered my reply into the bond.
“Be home to accept my gift, Rowan. Your chances are gone.”
I severed the connection, leaving only silence in its wake.
The Pack disappeared into the distance, but this was far from over. A reckoning loomed—and this time, I would be the one holding all the power.
