My Alpha mate, Roryn, was ambushed by a lunar eclipse shadow beast while searching for moonstones for our bonding ceremony.
He survived, but his inner wolf was shattered, and he could no longer recognize me as his fated mate.
The Pack's healer said I was carrying a pure-blood pup, and that the news might awaken him through the resonance of our bloodline.
Clinging to this hope, I went to find Roryn.
But I stumbled upon a conversation between him and his Beta, Jasper:
"Roryn, you're a genius—faking a damaged wolf just to escape the bonding ceremony!"
"I love Phoebe. This is the only time I'll ever lie to her. Just ten more girls, and I'll stop."
"That's it? Ten? That's barely a warm-up. Hell, at this rate, you might as well keep up the act for another year. It's not like Phoebe Aurelian is going anywhere."
He shot his Beta a cold glare.
"I can't stand the thought of her being heartbroken for that long! Just arrange it. Fast. I want the wildest virgins you can find, one every three days. I won't let this mess delay my bonding ceremony with Phoebe!"
Trembling, I tore the pregnancy confirmation to pieces and turned toward the Pack's lunar altar.
I would sacrifice this child.
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1
When the Pack's healer, Dr. Alistair Finch, saw me return, his brow creased with concern.
The moment I told him I intended to perform the bloodline sacrifice, he stared at me in sheer disbelief.
"This pup is a miracle for you both. If you really sacrifice it, I fear you'll only hurt Roryn more!"
I shook my head, a bitter smile twisting my lips.
"If I told him the truth, he's the one who would be utterly shattered."
After all, he was far too busy indulging himself.
I couldn't comprehend how the man who once tearfully begged me to be his mate could fake an injury just to deceive me.
Dr. Finch couldn't persuade me. As he prepared the ritual, he insisted on contacting Roryn through our mind-link.
"Phoebe, this pup isn't just yours. Even if he doesn't want it now because of his damaged wolf, he should be here to stop you! If there's a misunderstanding, you can clear it up face-to-face..."
I gently placed a hand on my stomach and didn't stop him.
My bloodline is unique, making it difficult for me to carry a pup.
But Roryn never cared; he even defied the Pack's council of elders to bond with me.
Now that I was giving up our pup, he deserved to witness the end.
But the moment Dr. Finch began to speak, Roryn scoffed.
"How much did Phoebe Aurelian pay you to pull this stunt? I told you, I don't know her, much less plan on bonding with her!"
"Do me a favor and tell her to stop pulling these tricks to force my hand. And who's to say that pup is even mine—a pure-blood?"
His heartless laughter echoed through the silent altar.
I completed the ceremony alone.
When I awoke, several messages were waiting for me in my mind-link.
All from Roryn.
Whatever we were, it's over. If you have enough energy to hire actors to trick me, then you have enough energy to get your things and move out of the Alpha Manor. Immediately.
He had thoughtfully arranged a place for me at the old encampment on the edge of the Pack's territory.
He’d even paid for a month of my expenses.
He’d even signed a one-year contract with the manager there, all to avoid arousing my suspicion.
Consider it a favor, for old times' sake. You don't have to pay me back.
I glanced at my pup's fossilized heart and replied calmly,
Fine. Thank you.
I would consider this his final act of responsibility toward our pup.
In the three days after I left the altar, he didn't contact me again.
But the emotional fluctuations I felt from him through our mate bond were tinged with the scent of alcohol and sex every single day.
It was as if he was making up for all the wild years he had missed because of me.
I knew he was letting me feel it on purpose.
Just as I was preparing to leave, I ran into Roryn in the woods, an anxious look on his face as he carried a woman in his arms.
The moment he saw me, he instantly averted his gaze, acting as if I were invisible.
But I clearly heard the emergency responders arranging a treatment room:
"Prepare the purification chamber immediately! The patient was injured by a silver weapon and needs an urgent transfusion of golden aura!"
"What? There's none in the aura reserve?"
The responder cut off the link and quickly informed Roryn of the situation.
The man who had just ignored me skidded to a halt and raced back in my direction.
"Phoebe Aurelian, give your golden aura to Sabrina, and I'll drop the matter of you stalking me!"
I was utterly stunned.
"I wasn't stalking you..."
"Enough with the excuses! There's a life on the line!"
He grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the treatment room.
"She has golden aura! Transfuse as much as she needs!"
I couldn't break free from his grip and could only manage a cold laugh.
"Didn't you say your wolf doesn't recognize me? How do you know I have golden aura?"
I stared at him, waiting for his answer.
