Elena
What does he mean by that?
Before I could open my mouth and ask for further clarification regarding about what he said, he had already ended the call, leaving me with no choice but to change my decision.
I took a deep breath and glanced at the two guards who were standing straight and couldn't even look at me.
"Help me with my luggage. I have to go back to the mansion and talk things out with the Elder."
"Yes, Luna!" This time, I didn't bother to correct the way they called me as I hurriedly went back to the mansion.
Didn't the bond severance already been processed? Did the Alpha know about this? Or is it only Grandpa's decision to revoke the bond severance?
How could Grandpa do this? How could he just made such a huge decision of revoking my bond severance with the Alpha when Alaric had already announced to everyone that he will be severing our bond?
Does this mean I am still his Luna? After bearing all those humiliation, I still have to bear the title of being his Luna?
I took a deep breath, slowly turning around and walked my way back to the Ashbourne mansion. I could feel the heated gazes coming from the servants, looking at me from time to time as if they were afraid that I might change my mind and escape.
However, it's not like I could escape either. It was Grandpa Rowan who wanted me to come back.and I couldn't just defy him-not because I am afraid of him, but because I respected him who was always protecting me from behind aside from Grandma.
I pressed my lips together, watching as the servants closed the door the moment I had set my foot inside, and I doubt they were guarding from outside by now.
"You want to leave the pack?"
I met his eyes.
He was rubbing his temples, looking more tired than usual. But when his gaze landed on me, it turned sharp, anger, guilt, worry-all those emotions I couldn't name.and I don't want to name.
"Are you implying," he asked slowly, his voice firm but controlled, "that once your bond severance with Alaric is finalized.the two of you will become strangers?"
My throat tightened.
My fingers curled slightly at my side.
"I heard you refused the villa too? What's next?" His eyes rested on me, heavy with something that looked too close to hurt. "To never return in this pack and cut off every of your relations to the Ashbourne including me?"
My breath caught.
I opened my mouth to answer-but no words came out.
Yet, he waited for me to organize my thoughts.
I pressed my lips together, fidgeting with my fingers as I avoided his gaze.
"The Alpha and I are no longer bonded. In the first place, this shouldn't have happened," I said quietly. "We were only tied by a contract. Without it. we're nothing but strangers."
I paused, forcing down the ache rising in my chest.
"I. I'm not planning to cut you off too, Grandpa," I added softly. "It's just. it's no longer appropriate for me to stay here."
His gaze sharpened as he straightened in his chair, his cane gripping tightly in his hand. His face had gone pale-whether from anger or something deeper, I couldn't tell.
"What inappropriate?" he snapped. "You are still the Luna of Ashbourne-and you will always be."
His voice hardened, leaving no room for argument. "As long as I exist, the contract between you still stands. I will not allow your bond to be revoked."
I bit my lips and shook my head.
"This isn't right, Grandpa. You can't do this," I said softly. "I don't belong here anymore. The Alpha already made it clear to everyone that I am no longer his Luna. no longer part of the Ashbourne."
Saying it out loud still hurt.
His eyes darkened. The veins on his forehead twitched.
"For what?" he snapped. "So he can be with that venomous woman? Like hell I would allow her to step into this mansion!"
My fingers tightened at his words.
Then he looked at me again.
This time, his anger faded, replaced by a helpless sigh. His gaze softened as he stepped closer, taking my hands gently into his own.
"Elena," his voice lowered, "you will always be Ashbourne's Luna. No one will replace you."
My chest tightened.
If only the Alpha felt the same.
But I know, I was only deceiving myself.
I already knew how those three years with him felt.
And because I knew. that was exactly why I didn't want to hope for more.
Didn't want to long for something that would only break me again.
I gently raised my head and gave Grandpa a bitter smile.
"But the Alpha doesn't think that way, Grandpa," I said softly. "It's really fine. Even if I end my bond with him, that doesn't mean I'll cut you off too."
His eyes shimmered with guilt and sadness, the emotions flashing like shadows before he slowly shook his head.
"Can't you just compromise again this time and stay with him?"
Compromise?
I almost laughed.
For three years, I had been the one compromising.
How much more of myself do I still have to give?
How much more do I have to lose myself for this so-called compromise?
I shook my head, forcing my heart to stay firm this time.
"Grandpa. you should be able to see that Alaric and I were never compatible," I said softly. "If we were. he wouldn't have treated me like I didn't exist for three years."
And he wouldn't have humiliated me that way, breaking off our bond in front of everyone-in front of his other woman.
My chest tightened, but I continued.
"I developed feelings for him," I admitted. "I stayed. I adjusted. I kept hoping."
I lowered my gaze.
"But he never once chose me."
I drew in a slow breath.
"Forcing us to stay together will only hurt more." I looked up at him with a soft smile. "And I won't stay in a place where someone else has already claimed it as their home."
In the first place. there was never meant to be an us.
I looked at Grandpa with hopeful eyes, maybe if I would properly explain it to him this time, he would also agree with me-that Alaric and I were not compatible to be together.
That we're not fated to be mates.
And it would be better for us to remain strangers rather than chain each other to a so-called bond. A so-called contract.
I already accepted it.
Accepted that there would never be a chance for the two of us-that's why it hurt.
Every part of me still called for him.
And that only made it worse.
Three years were already enough.it's already enough.
Otherwise. I might truly lose myself.
However, his ended up disappointing me.
"I cannot do that, Elena."
My eyes burned.
"Why not?" I asked, I could barely hold onto myself together. "It's easy for you to submit my bond severance with the Alpha to the Pack Council and stop revoking it."
Grandpa didn't even answer.
Instead, he turned away slightly, avoiding my gaze.
"Peter."
The Beta, who had been standing quietly at the corner of the room-minimizing his presence yet alert-stepped forward at once.
"You called, Elder?" His voice was polite yet distant.
"See the Luna back to her room," Grandpa commanded.
My chest tightened.
"Grandpa," I tried again, my voice trembling despite my effort to steady it. "You didn't give me an answer yet."
This time, his gaze fell on me, stubborn resolve burning in his eyes. "I already made it clear to you. You will remain the Alpha's Luna-and that's final."
He shifted his attention to Peter. "Take her back to her room."
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, tears spilling down my cheeks despite my effort to hold them back. "And what about the Alpha?" My voice trembled. "Will he accept this?"
He turned his back on me, his expression unreadable. "I'll take care of him."
Before I could open my mouth to argue again, Peter stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
"Let's go, Luna."
I pressed my lips together, gritting my teeth as I turned my back on him. Every step felt heavy as I followed Peter-his Beta-out of the room, forcing myself not to look back.
"Are you okay, Luna?" Peter suddenly asked, his eyes searching my face. "You look pale."
I shook my head, unable to trust my voice. My chest felt tight, as if invisible hands were squeezing the air out of my lungs. A sharp ache twisted in my stomach, spreading slowly, painfully-like something inside me was breaking apart.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself, but the hurt refused to fade.
I snapped from my thoughts when my pocket vibrates.
Thinking it was the Director, I hurriedly accepted the call without even glancing at the name.
Before I could say a word, a familiar voice filled the line-smooth, laced with arrogance and unmistakable superiority from the other line.
"Let's meet, Elena."
My hand trembled around the phone, my breath hitching in my throat.
"Hydra."
