Tharina listened to the voice message without any change in her expression. Then her eyes lowered to the ring on her finger.
A moonstone ring.
It was paired with the "Silvermoon Regalia" scent oil, crafted from rare night-blooming herbs.
Malven had made it himself. It was the gift he used when he asked her to become his mate.
Now he used his so-called memory loss as a shield, giving away things that belonged only to her. Again and again.
Each time, he would watch her break apart. He would watch her cry, shout, and lose control. Then he would calm her with a few soft words, pulling her back as if nothing had happened.
This had happened too many times.
But not anymore. She no longer wanted the ring. And she no longer wanted Malven.
Tharina said nothing. She removed the ring from her finger and dropped it into the waste bin. Then she asked someone to take all the jewelry away.
***
Before sunrise the next morning, Malven returned to the pack estate. He had already washed away every scent that didn’t belong to him. He changed into clean clothes and climbed into bed quietly.
From behind, he wrapped his arm around Tharina. His chin rested near her neck. His fingers moved slowly along her waist.
His voice sounded soft when saying, "Tharina, I am sorry. My condition acted up again yesterday, and everything spread across the territories. I know it must have hurt you."
He paused, then added, "But she is still young. Spending some time with her is only right. Do not take it too seriously."
Tharina gave a small nod. "Alright."
Malven stiffened. The words he prepared to comfort her stopped midway.
"Tharina, you are really not angry this time?"
Tharina gave a faint smile. "Isn’t this what you wanted? A calm and proper Luna?"
Malven looked satisfied. He took out a small bottle of scent oil and handed it to her, like a reward. The sweet smell reached her nose, and she frowned at once.
Not long ago, that young she-wolf, Elodie Wildmoor, had shown the same bottle to everyone through a communication mirror.
"My Alpha bought this for me. I don’t like it. I will make him return it to his plain Luna."
There was a time when Malven searched across kingdoms just to bring her the best things. Now he gave her what another woman didn’t want.
Tharina bit her lip until she tasted blood.
"I don’t want something that has been touched by others."
Malven’s expression shifted slightly. Without hesitation, he threw the bottle away. Then he pulled her into his arms.
"If you don’t like it, alright, just throw it away."
"I have a full body check at the healer’s hall later. Tharina, it is time we have our own pup."
A pup…
Pain spread through her chest. She lowered her eyes, hiding everything.
Once, they both wished for a pup more than anything. But now, she would never tell him.
Silence filled the room.
Tharina was about to speak when his communication stone lit up.
"Malven, I twisted my ankle. It hurts."
Malven glanced at Tharina, then spoke coldly, "Can’t you just go to the healer yourself?"
He ended the call. Then he turned back to Tharina with a smile and helped her prepare.
"Today, my Luna comes first."
***
The carriage moved away from the estate.
Soon, the communication stone rang again. Malven answered.
Tharina couldn’t hear the other side, but suddenly the carriage stopped hard.
Before she could react, Malven opened the door, came around, and pulled her out.
"Tharina, take another carriage to the healer’s hall."
Before she could speak, he had already left. The carriage rushed away.
Tharina stood still, watching it disappear. A quiet laugh escaped her lips. For a moment, she had believed there was still something real left in him.
In the end, she was the only foolish one.
***
Tharina went to the healer’s hall alone. After finishing her check, she turned a corner and saw them.
Malven and Elodie.
Elodie leaned against his chest, her eyes red. A small bandage with bright patterns covered her ankle.
When Elodie saw Tharina, she quickly spoke, "Luna Tharina, I am sorry. This is my fault. It is just a small injury, but I still called the Alpha. He should have stayed with you today. I feel very bad."
Tharina felt her stomach twist. She covered her mouth, trying not to retch.
"So now, a personal attendant also serves as a mate on the side."
Malven’s face darkened. Anger flashed across his eyes.
But then he noticed her. Her face had no color. Her body swayed slightly.
Something tightened inside his chest. He reached for the scroll in her hand.
"Are you unwell?"
Before he could touch it, Elodie cried out softly, "Alpha, my ankle hurts so much…"
His attention shifted at once. He let go of Tharina’s hand and turned back to Elodie.
"It is alright. We will get it treated now."
He released Tharina so suddenly that she lost her balance. Her body leaned back, almost falling. She pressed her hand against the wall to steady herself.
When she looked up again, Malven was already gone. He carried Elodie away without looking back.
Pain spread through Tharina’s chest. She clenched her hand tightly, forcing herself to stay calm.
She turned and left without another glance.
***
The moment Tharina stepped outside, her communication stone lit up.
A message from Jolene.
[Tharina, the bond severance papers will be ready in seven days.]
