The house was quiet when I returned. Too quiet.
I moved through the rooms with a purpose, gathering the tiny clothes and supplies I had bought for my boys, folding each piece with trembling fingers. Packing wasn’t just about preparing for their birth anymore—it was about escape.
Dorian should have been home by now, but of course, he wasn’t. He was still at Palmcreek River with Beatrice, swimming, laughing—living. The images sent to my phone were burned into my mind, the way he looked at her, the joy on his face. It was the same look he once reserved for me.
Was I ever truly his choice? Or was I merely a duty—a bond forced upon him by the Moon Goddess?
My phone buzzed again. Another message.
Beatrice: You were just a duty to him. I own his heart, and very soon, everyone will know it.
I stared at the words, my lips curving into a humorless smile. First attack from Beatrice. We’re getting serious about this betrayal thing now. I laughed to myself, but the sound was hollow.
A sharp knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
When I opened it, a young pack errand boy stood there, his arms struggling to hold two dozen white roses. His face lit up with excitement.
"From the Alpha to his Luna," he announced, as if he was delivering a grand love declaration.
I took the roses without a word, shutting the door in his eager face.
Dorian was nothing if not predictable. He knew he wouldn’t be home for Lunch, so he sent flowers. A poor attempt at guilt-ridden affection.
A moment later, my phone rang. His name flashed across the screen.
I took a breath, steadying myself before answering. "Dorian?"
"Love, I won’t make it to Lunch." His voice was smooth, almost rehearsed. "There was an issue with the Elders’ Council. It’s taking longer than expected, but I promise I’ll be home in time for the hospital."
I let out a soft laugh, one that I knew he would mistake for understanding. "That’s okay," I said lightly. "I’ll see you when you get back."
If he noticed the shift in my tone, he didn’t mention it.
As soon as the call ended, I turned to the pile of gifts and clothes he had bought me over the past few weeks. Luxurious silks, expensive baby items, meaningless tokens meant to distract me.
I picked up my phone again and dialed the errand boy’s number.
"Come back," I told him. "Take everything. Sell it. Discreetly."
There was a stunned silence before he finally stammered, "Luna… are you sure?"
"Positive."
The moment the boy left with the gifts, I grabbed my coat and headed out.
There was only one person in this pack who could help me disappear.
---
The high pack witch lived in a secluded part of the territory, her home filled with the scent of burning sage and dried lavender. Candles flickered along the wooden shelves, illuminating ancient books and vials of dark potions.
She sat across from me, eyes wise and knowing, as if she had already foreseen my arrival.
"You wish to sever your bond," she murmured.
"I do," I confirmed, my voice steady. "And I need protection spells for my sons."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Luna, this is not a decision to be made lightly. You are heavily pregnant. Breaking a mate bond now could cause you great harm."
"What’s harming me is staying here," I countered.
She studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. But you must wait until after the birth. Your body is already under immense strain. Severing the bond before then could put the pups at risk."
I clenched my fists. "I don’t have time to wait."
"You do," she said firmly. "And you will. If you still wish to go through with this after they are born, I will do as you ask."
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to accept the delay. "Fine. But the moment they are born, I want the bond burned away."
The witch nodded. "It will be done."
As I left her home, my mind was already made up.
I was done waiting.
---
I made one more stop before heading home.
The midwife’s cottage was warm, the air thick with the scent of medicinal herbs. The older woman looked up as I entered, her gaze flickering with surprise.
"Luna," she greeted, standing. "I wasn’t expecting you tonight. Is something wrong?"
I shook my head, placing a protective hand over my belly. "I need to move the delivery up. Tonight."
Her brows furrowed in concern. "That’s… highly unusual. The Alpha—"
I cut her off before she could finish. "Dorian isn’t here."
She hesitated. "Even so, it's customary for the father—"
"I am their mother," I said firmly. "I will bring them into this world on my terms."
A long silence stretched between us. Then, with a nod, she sighed. "Very well. But this won’t be easy. I’ll need to prepare everything immediately."
"I understand."
I was ready.
By dawn, I would hold my sons.
And by nightfall, I would sever every tie that bound me to this place.
---
By the time I returned home, the sun had set, casting long shadows over the house.
I climbed the stairs, only to pause at the sight of Dorian standing in our bedroom, confusion etched across his face as he stared at the packed baby bag on the bed.
"Why are their things packed?" he asked, turning to me.
I forced a soft smile, stepping forward to smooth my hand over my belly. "I packed earlier so I wouldn’t forget anything," I said lightly.
His golden eyes searched mine, doubt flickering across his features. But he shook it off, pulling a set of documents from his pocket.
"I bought something for you," he said, handing them over.
I took the papers, scanning the words. A property deed. A home—large, luxurious, meant for me and the twins.
A celebration of our family.
A family he was already tearing apart.
I looked up at him, my lips curling into something resembling gratitude. "It’s beautiful," I murmured, my fingers tightening around the papers.
I would return them when I left.
Dorian leaned in, brushing a kiss over my forehead. "I just want you and the boys to have everything."
Liar.
His phone buzzed.
His body tensed.
Then, with practiced ease, he turned away. "The Elders need me again," he said, already walking toward the door. "I’ll be back soon."
I didn’t bother asking if he was telling the truth.
I already knew where he was going.
As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a quiet laugh.
Not out of humor.
Not out of pain.
But because this was it.
This was the moment I stopped being the Luna who waited for her mate to come home.
By this time tomorrow, I would no longer be Dorian’s anything.
And he would never see it coming.
