Hidden beneath the ancient pines, I watched my mate gently support his lover as they entered the Moon Healers' Sanctuary for her prenatal examination.
Two years earlier, when I lost my first pup, the head healer had told me the truth.
It had not happened because my body was weak.
It happened because Dorian arrived too late after my labor began.
Our pup never drew its first breath.
Even after that tragedy, he never accompanied me to a single examination during this pregnancy.
There was always another excuse.
Another duty.
Another council.
Another border patrol.
I still remembered his cold voice.
"Stop behaving like a frightened pup. You are the future Luna of Blackthorn Pack. Learn to carry yourself with dignity. I have an entire pack to protect. Ask your mother to take you to the healers."
Those had been his words when I begged him to come with me.
Yet now he stood beside Seraphina, personally collecting healing herbs and protective tonics.
Only then did I understand.
He had never been too busy.
I simply had never been important enough.
He had abandoned me long ago.
The sanctuary was crowded with warriors and expecting mothers.
Dorian instinctively drew Seraphina closer.
"Little wolf, those sour berries I brought yesterday have been sitting too long. Don't eat them."
Seraphina laughed.
"They're only a day old."
"No."
His voice was full of concern.
"I won't risk anything that could harm you or our pup. Come. I'll have the kitchen prepare fresh honey milk. The mountain air is cold tonight."
She smiled playfully.
"Then you have to promise me something."
"Anything."
"When we complete our mate ceremony, I want the grandest celebration any pack has ever seen."
Dorian smiled without hesitation.
"You'll have it."
He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Give me one more moon."
"When Selene gives birth, I'll send her back to Ravenfall under the excuse that she needs time to recover."
"Then I'll publicly claim you as my true mate."
"You'll become the most admired Luna among every allied pack."
Seraphina pouted.
"You'd better keep your promise."
Dorian chuckled before leaning down to kiss her.
I stood frozen.
It felt as though something inside my chest shattered beyond repair.
Once, we had looked at each other that way.
Once, those promises had belonged to me.
Now he was planning how to erase me from his life.
Without realizing it, I followed them.
Like a wolf still bound by a broken mate bond.
The night wind swept through the forest, carrying a bitter chill.
Dorian removed his own wolf-fur cloak and wrapped it carefully around Seraphina's shoulders.
Dark clouds gathered overhead.
Thunder rolled across the mountains.
The first drops of rain began to fall.
Dorian hurried her into the carriage before she could become wet.
Standing beneath an ancient oak, I watched through the open carriage window.
My mate gently cupped her face before kissing her.
Then Seraphina slowly opened her eyes.
She looked directly at me.
Without breaking the kiss.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around Dorian's neck and kissed him even more deeply.
She had known I was there all along.
Again and again, she glanced toward me.
Every look carried the same message.
He had never truly belonged to me.
My trembling fingers reached for my communicator.
I called Dorian.
Inside the carriage, he noticed the crystal glowing with my name.
For a single heartbeat, guilt crossed his face.
Then Seraphina whispered something into his ear as she wrapped herself around him.
His expression hardened.
He dismissed the call.
I tried again.
This time he answered.
"What is it?"
His voice was filled with irritation.
"Don't you have anything better to do than interrupt me?"
Before I could speak, the connection vanished.
Moments later, he sealed his communicator against mine.
Cold rain poured from the sky.
The carriage disappeared into the darkness.
The warriors assigned to escort their Alpha followed close behind.
Soon the sanctuary courtyard was empty.
Only I remained beneath the storm.
"I release you."
My voice was barely louder than the rain.
"Dorian."
"My life no longer belongs to you."
"And neither does my heart."
Gathering what little strength I had left, I made my way to the Ravenshield Hall.
The pack's oldest lawkeeper, Lyra Ashbourne, looked up as I entered.
One glance at my soaked clothes and pale face told her everything.
She quietly removed the parchment she had been reading and handed me a dry cloak.
No unnecessary questions.
No empty comfort.
Only silent understanding.
Perhaps she had seen too many broken mate bonds in her lifetime.
Just not one involving the future Alpha.
I placed everything before her.
The recordings.
The messages.
The land transfer records.
The evidence of betrayal.
Finally, I activated the memory crystal.
Dorian's voice echoed through the chamber.
"If she gives birth to a strong male pup and accepts Seraphina as Luna, I may allow her to remain in Blackthorn."
"If she refuses, I'll use the child to force her out of the pack."
My heart tightened as the words replayed.
Slowly, I turned the silver mate ring around my finger.
Not out of hesitation.
Out of resolve.
Lyra closed the crystal.
Her gaze remained calm.
"My Lady."
"With this evidence, I will ensure your mate bond is dissolved according to the Ancient Laws."
"You deserve a future that no longer includes Alpha Dorian."
After leaving Ravenshield Hall, my communication crystal suddenly glowed.
Mother.
I answered at once.
"Selene."
Her warm voice immediately filled the silence.
"I heard from one of the servants that you had a fever yesterday."
"Did Dorian take you to the Moon Healers?"
My throat tightened.
Tears threatened to spill.
"I'm... feeling much better now."
"Don't lie to me."
She sighed softly.
"You sound exhausted."
"Are you truly alright?"
I closed my eyes.
"Yes, Mother."
"Dorian is here."
"He bought me warm honey milk."
"He even accompanied me to my examination."
"The healers said our pup may arrive at any time."
A long pause followed.
"Good."
Although doubt still lingered in her voice.
"I've never fully forgiven him for what happened to your first pup."
"But if he's finally taking care of you, perhaps he's learned."
Another wave of cold swept through me.
"Selene."
"It's raining hard."
"Come home soon."
"I made your favorite venison stew."
I bit my lip.
"I'll be home soon."
Before she could hear me cry, I ended the call.
My legs finally gave out beneath me.
I sank onto the rain-soaked forest path.
Rain beat against the earth.
The ancient bell atop the Moon Temple echoed through the valley.
Steady.
Unchanging.
The world continued moving forward.
Even though mine had completely fallen apart.
For the first time in my life, I understood that everything I had believed in had been nothing more than a beautiful lie.
