It wasn't until my follow-up visit to the healer's den that I discovered, completely by accident, that I was carrying a pup.
When the faint, steady flutter of my pup's heartbeat filled the examination chamber, tears I thought had long since dried up spilled down my cheeks again, beyond my control.
I had no one left in this world. Not a single pack member. Not a single soul who loved me.
But this pup—this pup made me greedy.
I wanted to keep it.
I didn't dare let Alaric find out. I was terrified he'd force me to end the pregnancy, to rid himself of any bond to me.
Before I could figure out what to do, disaster struck.
During my second healer visit, a fire broke out in the infirmary den.
As I fled through the smoke-filled corridors, I saw Alaric carrying Seren out of another birthing chamber.
The moment our eyes met, I was shoved by the stampeding wolves and lost my balance, crashing to the stone floor.
Panicked feet trampled over me, one after another.
Crimson blood pooled beneath me, spreading across the cold floor in an instant.
I screamed for help, terrified. Alaric's gaze lingered on me for barely a second—then he turned away, Seren still cradled in his arms, and never looked back.
I lay there in agony, frozen.
So this is where we are now.
I pulled myself out of the memory. My pillow was already soaked with tears.
My hand drifted to my stomach, still aching with a dull, phantom pain. I apologized in silence.
I'm sorry, little one. Your mother couldn't protect you.
And your father... he really, truly doesn't love me anymore.
I should have let go a long time ago.
Just then, a pack messenger arrived with a delivery to my recovery chamber.
It was an official appointment scroll from the High Council Archive.
When I'd returned the restored moon-scrolls to the archive, Healer-Scholar Elowen Frostmere had been astonished by my work. She'd immediately recommended me to her contacts within the Council.
They had already promised: the moment I confirmed my acceptance, the Council would automatically dissolve my mating bond through official writ.
After completing my discharge from the healers, I walked out through the infirmary's main entrance.
Alaric's black carriage was stationed right outside.
He stood with one hand braced against the carriage door, carefully helping Seren inside. His Alpha scent—pine and winter storm—drifted toward me on the wind.
His eyes swept over me. A cold, dismissive smirk tugged at his lips. Then he climbed into the carriage and signaled the driver to leave.
The moment his carriage pulled away, the Council transport they had sent for me arrived, as if on cue.
I climbed in. The carriage made a turn and headed straight for the warded territory gates.
