"I want to dissolve our mating bond. Please handle the bond severance," Valea said to Zorven Oacklaw, the most respected bond-breaker in the territory, as she sat before him.
The old wolf stared at her in shock, as if he could not believe the she-wolf before him was Valea Valloren, the Luna of the Valloren Pack, who now wished to leave Renwick Valloren, the Alpha King and ruler of the Silverkeep Territory.
They had been bound as mates for fifteen winters, and every pack believed they were the perfect pair.
Each year, their mating ceremony was celebrated across many territories. Yet now, Luna Valloren asked for separation with a calm face, without even a trace of emotion.
"Luna Valloren, to break a mating bond, you must give a reason and proof," Zorven said carefully.
"I already prepared everything," Valea answered quietly as she handed him the evidence.
For five winters, she had gathered crystal records and memory orbs sent by Davinia Faerwyn. They showed Renwick leaving the pack lands under the name of Alpha duties, only to meet Davinia in secret. There were even records of them sharing the same bedchamber. And the last memory showed Renwick staying with Davinia, while Valea herself was captured by a rogue wolf and stabbed through the chest.
Zorven was silent as he watched the memory of Valea bleeding and healing herself alone. This evidence would be sent to Renwick once the bond was officially broken.
"I understand. I will begin the process," he said.
"Please finish it quickly," Valea replied with a faint smile as she touched the still-wet wound near her chest.
A week ago, on the night before their fifteenth mating anniversary, Renwick had prepared a grand celebration in the central Alpha hall, making Valea the focus of the entire territory.
But like every year, Renwick didn’t appear.
That night, he was in Davinia’s territory, staying beside her because she had a small fever. He ignored every call, even when an enemy wolf held Valea hostage.
The rogue lost patience and drove a blade into her chest, trying to kill her.
Luckily, Valea was born different. Her heart was on the right side, a rare trait among wolves. It saved her life. As the daughter of a powerful Alpha bloodline, she knew how to survive and treated her wound by herself.
While she pressed her bleeding chest, Renwick finally answered.
"Valea, please forgive me. I missed your call. Davinia is sick and in pain. I cannot leave her. I need to take her to the healer’s den."
At that moment, Valea understood everything.
In fifteen winters, Renwick had never truly loved her.
Their union was arranged to bind the Frosthall Pack and Valloren Pack, two of the strongest Alpha bloodlines. Even without love, they respected each other. Renwick gave her attention and the whole world believed they were deeply in love.
But it was all a performance.
Everything he did was only to show the Frosthall Pack that their daughter was treated well.
Valea finally woke from her illusion. Loving Renwick had drained her soul.
Now, she only wanted freedom.
"Luna Valloren, the papers are ready. You only need Alpha Valloren’s mark," Zorven said, placing the documents before her.
"I understand. I will get his mark," Valea replied calmly.
——
She left and returned to the Alpha villa.
When she arrived, she saw pack servants carrying furniture inside.
In the main hall, Davinia sat beside Renwick, pointing at her belongings.
"These are made by my late mother. I cannot leave them. I cannot rest without them."
Renwick leaned back, his arm resting behind her shoulders, gently stroking her hair.
"Bring everything here. This will be your home now."
"Thank you, Renwick. You have always cared for me," Davinia said sweetly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
Renwick smiled and touched her head softly.
Valea cleared her throat.
They quickly pulled away, as if caught doing something wrong.
"Valea, you’re back. I waited for you. I am sorry for moving in without asking. You’re not angry, are you?" Davinia asked softly, acting nervous.
"Valea, let her stay," Renwick said. "Her den had a gas leak. She’s afraid to live alone. We should protect her. She’s still family and she’s Arion’s birth mother."
"It’s fine, right? If you dislike it, I can leave," Davinia added, her eyes turning red.
"You already moved everything here. Why ask me now? It sounds like I am chasing you out," Valea replied with a faint smile.
Davinia lowered her head and looked at Renwick, as if she had been wronged.
"Renwick, I didn’t mean it like that. I am sorry if Luna Valea misunderstood me."
Renwick frowned at Valea. "Don’t frighten her. She meant no harm."
"It’s fine. I was joking. She can stay as long as she wants," Valea said lightly.
"Renwick, I need to discuss something. I need your mark to transfer the territory you gifted me," she said, placing the papers in front of them.
She sat across from them, while they remained side by side. It felt like she didn’t belong in her own home.
"It’s already yours. No need to change it," Renwick said as he reached for the papers.
Valea pulled them back slightly.
"I just need your mark so I can feel at ease."
Davinia laughed softly. "Valea, do you think Renwick would lie? Don’t worry. He gifted me a private territory in Darkpine for my birthday. I can show you the proof if you want."
"A territory in Darkpine?" Valea smiled, but her chest ached more than her wound.
That territory was meant for her.
Now she understood. Renwick had given it to Davinia instead.
"Is there a problem?" Davinia asked gently.
"No," Renwick said, avoiding Valea’s eyes as he signed the last page.
Valea watched his hand as he marked the papers.
Fifteen winters ended in a moment.
She had known him since childhood. Promised at five, engaged at ten, mated at eighteen. Yet all those winters meant nothing compared to Davinia’s return.
Davinia was once his brother’s mate. And now, Renwick even chose her pup, Arion, as the future Alpha.
"Is that all?" Renwick asked without looking.
"Father! Mother!"
A small boy ran in and jumped into their arms.
Valea watched Arion quietly.
She had raised him, but he never called her mother. He called Renwick father and Davinia mother.
To Valea, he only spoke her name. And the worse, Renwick never corrected him.
"Davinia gave birth to him. He must remember her," he always said.
Now she knew. Arion was proof that Renwick loved another.
"Father, Mother, let’s go watch a show!"
"Alright, let’s go before dinner," Renwick said, holding his hand.
"Mother, hurry. I want to watch Spiderman," Arion said excitedly.
"Yes, my dear," Davinia smiled.
As they left, Valea followed a few steps.
Arion pushed her away.
"Why are you coming? I don’t want you there."
"I am not going. I am returning to my room," she said calmly.
Behind her, Davinia asked softly, "Is she upset because we didn’t invite her?"
"It’s fine. She never liked those shows. They give her headaches," Renwick replied.
Valea clenched her fists.
She loved going to the cinema. But every time she asked, he only reserved the place and left her alone.
After many lonely nights, she stopped asking.
He had power, but never gave her time. Yet for Davinia, he would cross the world.
But none of that mattered now. Soon, everything would end. Her bond would be broken. She would be free.
At that moment, Davinia sent a memory clip of them laughing together like a family. Valea saved it. Then she sent the signed bond-breaking papers to Zorven.
"Zorven, I have sent everything. I will pay any price to speed this process."
