Seraphina's POV:
The operating room suddenly felt colder. The heavy smell of blood mixed with Brayden's cedar scent until every breath became difficult.
The doctor's diagnosis struck me with crushing force.
My gaze remained fixed on the ceiling while every thought disappeared from my mind.
Losing the chance to have children was devastating for any she-wolf. For me, a Luna who had given my all to protecting my pack, it felt as though someone had torn away part of my soul.
The medical staff wheeled me from the operating room. Brayden waited outside and watched me with clear disgust.
He knew nothing about what I'd just endured, and I had no energy left to tell him.
"Stop pretending, Seraphina." His voice held no concern when it reached me. Only cold judgment remained. "Was all this drama really necessary just because you wanted that necklace returned?"
Disbelief made me turn toward him at once.
"What are you talking about?" My voice shook.
"Money and authority are all you've ever cared about." Brayden rose and went to the window, keeping his back to me. "I chose you as my Luna and gave you anything you asked for. The moment I showed Layla some kindness, you started acting wounded because you wanted my attention back. Your behavior is childish, and you still understand nothing about leading this pack. The elders have complained about you for years. I've faced endless criticism because I kept defending you. The least you could do is appreciate everything I've sacrificed."
He expected gratitude from me?
A cold shiver passed through my body as I looked at his broad back.
My own body had protected him during battle. That sacrifice had taken our baby from me and destroyed any hope I had of becoming a mother again.
Somehow, Brayden had twisted all that suffering into proof that I was trying to get his attention.
"You heartless bastard, Brayden!" My eyes closed, but hot tears still escaped and ran into my hair.
"I'll make up for what happened," he replied without emotion as he turned around. "Layla won't replace you as Luna, and you can remain in the packhouse. However, since you're determined to turn your injuries into a public spectacle, I'll transfer your administrative and military responsibilities to her. You can keep your title, stay home, and focus on recovering. That arrangement should satisfy you."
He approached the bed and reached toward my hair as though his shallow kindness were some generous gift.
His phone suddenly buzzed inside his pocket.
Brayden took the call without using the speaker. Even so, my sharp hearing picked up every word from Layla's sweet and inviting voice.
"Brayden, why haven't you come back yet? That urgent document still needs your signature, and I'm waiting in your office. The tie on my silk robe has slipped loose, and I can't seem to fix it. Could you come help me?"
Her shameless invitation struck me harder than an open slap.
Interest replaced Brayden's impatience at once. He checked the time before speaking in a hurry. "Something urgent has happened, and Layla can't manage it without me. I need to return immediately. Follow the doctors' instructions for now, and I'll visit again when I have time."
He hurried toward the door without another glance, clearly eager to leave.
"Brayden," I called out in a calm voice, all traces of my earlier anger gone.
He halted and glanced back at me with clear annoyance. "What is it this time? Seraphina, this is no time for another outburst."
"If you leave this room to be with her, our mating bond ends tonight," I said. I held his gaze and made sure he understood every word.
A burst of laughter left him, as though my warning were the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.
"You want to end our bond? Have you completely lost your mind?" Brayden stood beside the door and looked down on me. "The Moonclaw Pack is the only reason you're safe. Without my protection, you're nothing more than a helpless she-wolf. The strong rule this world, Seraphina. Someone as weak as you wouldn't last until tomorrow."
Contempt filled his voice as he continued, "What makes you think anyone else would choose an ordinary woman like you? Stop using childish threats before you finally exhaust my patience."
The door crashed shut after he left.
From the cold hospital bed, I listened until his retreating steps disappeared. Whatever love still remained inside me faded along with that sound.
He truly believed I couldn't survive one day without him?
Brayden knew nothing about the life I'd lived before becoming his mate.
My hands shook as I reached beneath the bed frame and opened a compartment that no one else knew about.
Hidden inside was a black encrypted communicator with no symbol or label on its surface. I had kept it secret from him throughout our relationship.
Once my fingerprint touched the device, a dim blue glow appeared across the screen.
Only one organization could be reached through that communicator. Its name terrified werewolves throughout Vrodale. The Howling Guild.
No pack controlled them. Instead, they quietly enforced the laws of the hidden world and passed judgment on anyone who broke those rules.
I had once served as the Guild's finest hunter. More importantly, I was their leader's daughter.
Loving Brayden had made me bury that identity, hide my strength, and behave like the obedient Luna he expected me to be.
Yet he had mistaken my sacrifice for weakness and believed I needed him to stay alive.
The wound in my abdomen burned as I drew a steady breath and entered a message on the screen. "This is Seraphina. My ties to the Moonclaw Pack are over."
A quiet tone confirmed that the message had gone through.
My eyes closed after I sent one last request. "I'm ready to return. Send someone for me."
