“No.” My voice was calm as I yanked my arm free. “I won’t give her my moon-blood.”
Thorne’s eyes darkened at once, the Alpha mark on his throat pulsing faintly. “Don’t start this again, Rayna. Her wolf core is failing. The healers said she needs blood bound to the full moon. Yours matches.”
“That has nothing to do with me,” I said flatly. “I’m not the only one breaking.”
Arion stepped closer, his scent sharp with anger. “How can you be this cold? She’s fading, Rayna.”
“She’s not fading,” I snapped. “She’s acting. Just like when we were pups—every time she wanted attention or an excuse.”
Axton slammed his palm against the wall. “Enough. You sound unhinged.”
Before I could move, hands closed around my arms.
All of them.
I fought back—kicked, twisted, tried to shift—but I was still injured, still weak, my wolf barely responsive. Three grown wolves were more than enough. They dragged me out of the territory house like I was property, shoved me into a vehicle etched with pack sigils, and drove straight to the Moon Healers’ Hall.
I barely had time to think.
Within the hour, runes burned cold against my wrists.
No one asked for permission.
No one listened as I begged.
Moon-needles pierced my skin. Silver-lined tubes drained dark blood glowing faintly with lunar light. Healers exchanged tense glances as more vials were ordered.
The world tilted.
Then darkness swallowed me whole.
***
When I woke, I felt hollow.
As if my wolf had been scooped out, leaving only an empty shell. My limbs were heavy. Cold crept through my chest. Light stabbed my eyes.
The first face I saw was the last one I wanted.
Rionna.
She sat beside the bed, holding a small tray etched with healing symbols. “You’re awake,” she said gently. “I brought you nourishment.”
For a heartbeat, my heart almost believed her.
Then everything rushed back.
I knocked the tray from her hands. It shattered against the stone floor.
The door burst open.
Thorne. Axton. Arion.
“What is wrong with you?” Arion snapped. “She came all this way for you.”
“You’re impossible,” Thorne added. “She’s trying to mend things, and this is how you act?”
“You forced me!” I shouted. “You bound me and drained my moon-blood!”
“Rayna…” Rionna whispered, tears trembling in her voice. “Please. We’re sisters. I only wanted peace between us.”
She stepped closer, arms lifting as if to embrace me.
Her lips brushed my ear.
“Do you understand now?” she murmured sweetly. “They’ve chosen already. So don’t resist.”
My body went rigid.
Thorne’s gaze sharpened. “Apologize. Now.”
My fingers dug into the sheets. “I did nothing wrong.”
Axton took one step forward. “Watch yourself.”
My throat tightened.
“…Fine,” I said quietly. “I’m sorry.”
Not because I meant it.
Because I had nothing left to fight with.
They relaxed, satisfied, like a broken thing had been corrected.
I turned my face to the wall and closed my eyes, pretending not to hear Rionna’s soft sobs or my brothers murmuring comfort until they finally left.
***
That night, my rune-phone vibrated.
Ardyn: [Tomorrow. Are you still ready?]
I stared at the glow, then typed back.
[Yes.]
***
By morning, I didn’t want to leave the Healers’ Hall.
My body ached. My wolf was silent. My heart felt worse.
But Thorne didn’t ask.
“We’re going,” he said coldly. “You owe her. You swore it. Stop acting immature.”
So I went.
Not because I wanted to. Because refusing only meant more punishment disguised as duty.
I wore a pale dress woven with old pack thread—the one from our first bonding feast. Back when I believed in forever. Back when his hand had felt like safety.
He told me to meet him at a restaurant on neutral territory.
Just us. To fix things.
So I waited.
I arrived early, unsure whether I hoped he would come—or hoped he wouldn’t.
Time passed. The moon lamps dimmed and brightened again.
“He should be here soon,” I told the server softly.
He never came.
Neither did Arion or Axton.
Then my phone buzzed.
Rionna.
Rionna: [Looks like they’re busy, sister. With me. Enjoy your meal alone.]
Photos followed.
Once, I would have broken.
This time, I didn’t.
***
I stood calmly and called the manager over.
“I need to leave a few things,” I said.
From my bag, I placed the papers on the table.
The false mating bond record. The healer’s report confirming the loss of my pup. The ring Thorne gave me five years ago.
“If he asks,” I said quietly, “tell him Rayna of the Feralwood Pack no longer exists.”
I walked out.
The bell chimed once—clear and final.
***
Ardyn was waiting outside. Just like he promised.
“Ready?” he asked, holding out his hand.
I nodded. “Completely.”
We drove straight toward the airship port.
Inside the car, I scrolled through old messages, old names.
Then I removed the rune-chip and dropped it into a bin.
Gone.
As I boarded the ship beside Ardyn, a calm I hadn’t felt in years settled deep in my chest.
Tomorrow, they might notice.
They might panic.
They might search.
But they will never find me.
Never again.
