After being discharged from the healer’s hall, Tharina didn’t hesitate. She drove straight across the territory to the private forging den that once belonged only to her.
Malven had given her that place after their mating rites. At that time, guilt had followed him like a shadow. She had stayed by his side, caring for him after his near death accident, abandoning her own path without complaint. The den had been his way of making it up to her.
When the bond was severed, she would not take any share of his Alpha wealth. Not a single coin.
But this place, she would keep it. Everything inside had been created by her own effort, shaped through long nights and quiet suffering. It was the only thing she had left to build a new life for herself and the pup growing inside her.
She had barely stepped inside when her assistant hurried over and handed her a record of items that had already been sent out.
Her work. All of it.
The necklaces she had forged with moonstones. The bracelets carved with protective runes. Even the rare pieces she had sealed away. Every single item had been removed and delivered to Elodie Wildmoor, all under Malven’s command.
A cold fury rose within her. Her fingers tightened around her crystal communicator as she prepared to call him.
But before she could, something else caught her attention. Her name had spread across the pack’s network like wildfire.
There was a video. It showed her sitting alone in the waiting area of the healer’s hall, silent and still. Not far from her, Malven held Elodie in his arms, his voice low and gentle as he comforted her.
The reactions below were cruel.
"So even the Luna knows when to stay quiet. She must be afraid of losing her title."
"It’s clear who the Alpha truly treasures. Look at how worried he is for Elodie."
"She only became his mate because she cared for him when he was injured. She turned kindness into a bond. Now the truth is showing."
The words were meant to wound, yet they found nothing left to break.
Malven had seen it as well. His answer came quickly. A large sum of money transferred to her account, followed by a short message.
"She had nightmares and needed me. Do not cause trouble."
Tharina looked at the glowing numbers for a long moment. Her eyes remained calm, empty of feeling.
Then she called him.
When he answered, her voice held no warmth at all.
"Malven, my creations were sent to your chosen one. Did you even consider asking me?"
On the other side, he sounded impatient, as if her question meant nothing.
"Is the payment not enough? You kept quiet yesterday. Why are you making noise now?"
A faint laugh slipped from her lips. Without another word, she ended the call and continued packing.
She stayed there through the night.
By the next day, everything she needed had been gathered. Once she left, she knew she would never return.
But when she entered the pack house again, she was met with a sight that made her pause.
Elodie was resting comfortably on the main couch, leaning into Malven as she spoke softly. The two of them looked close, like a true mated pair.
Hearing the door, Elodie turned her head. The moment she saw Tharina, her expression shifted. She drew closer to Malven, her posture small, almost fearful.
"Hello, Luna."
Tharina felt her body tighten, though she kept her face calm. Her gaze moved over them before she spoke, her tone cold.
"Alpha Ashbourne, you are quite thoughtful. Bringing her into this house to recover. Was the place too quiet without her presence?"
Malven’s expression hardened immediately. He rose slightly, his voice carrying clear disapproval.
"Tharina, I believed you had learned restraint. Yet here you are again. Elodie is still injured. I will not leave her alone outside. She will remain here for a few days. What is your objection?"
Those words ended whatever little hope she still held.
She looked at him carefully. Once, he had been the center of her world. Now, he felt like a stranger.
There was no anger left. No sadness. Only emptiness.
She didn’t argue. Her eyes moved away from them, and she turned toward the stairs.
The bedroom door closed behind her, cutting off the sound of Elodie’s soft crying. Cutting off the last tie that bound her to Malven.
Her strength left her then. She slid down slowly until she sat against the door. One hand rested over her stomach as she spoke in a quiet voice.
"You will not resent me for this, will you, my dear?"
