She released Dorian Frostclaw from her embrace and strode toward me.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to stay away. But today is an important occasion for the pup, so don't—"
I didn't give her the chance to finish. I lunged past her and drove my fist straight into Dorian's face.
"Remember your place as the rut-partner on the side. Don't be like your mother—that old bond-breaker who loved stealing what belonged to others."
As I spoke, I pulled out the ceremonial blade I'd hidden beneath my cloak and sliced through the formal tunic he wore.
The fabric tore with a sharp ripping sound, accompanied by his shrill scream. I shredded the garment completely.
"If you have nothing to wear, then go bare-furred. My mother made this with her own hands. You're nothing but a side-bond, and I'd rather destroy it than let you wear it!"
The gathering descended into chaos. Matriarch Aurelia Valeheart, who always placed pack honor above all else, remained strangely still and made no move to intervene.
Selene Valeheart draped the ruined scraps over his shoulders and glared at me with fury burning in her golden eyes.
"How can you be so vicious? In front of all these wolves, where is he supposed to put his dignity? It was just borrowing a garment for the ceremony. Did you really need to be this petty?"
Looking at her inability to distinguish right from wrong, I let out a cold laugh. My blade rose and fell again, cutting away every fastening from the traditional bond-robe she wore—the one my mother had stitched with her own hands.
"You've forgotten the oath you swore to my mother—that you would never betray me for as long as you lived. It doesn't matter. I haven't forgotten. What lies between us is like this robe now—severed completely, all bonds broken!"
"I wish your little family a hundred years of happiness together."
With those words, I walked out through the stunned crowd.
The First Moon Feast did not go well after that. Dorian Frostclaw fainted from the shock, and Selene rushed him to the Healer's Den.
Matriarch Aurelia finished hosting the ceremony alone, holding the pup herself.
The next morning, I successfully obtained the Bond Severance decree.
My communication stone still held messages from Selene demanding I apologize.
I blocked her scent-signature and deleted every trace, then took the severance papers to the memorial grounds to see my Noah.
Half a moon cycle ago, I had already arranged for the keepers to erect his rune-stone.
Looking at the carved words—Beloved Pup Noah Frostclaw—grief flooded through me without end.
I opened my mouth, about to speak to him.
Behind me came Selene's voice.
"I knew you'd come here. You always came to see the pup whenever you were angry before. But yesterday you went too far. In front of everyone—"
Before she could finish, Dorian let out a startled cry.
"Sister-mate, your bonded actually gave that dead pup the same name as our living one!"
"Brother, even if you didn't want that pup, you were still going to be his father. Why would you curse him to an early death by using the same name?"
Selene frowned and stepped closer to read the rune-stone. She saw the name Noah Frostclaw carved into the ancient stone.
Her eyes moved downward. The inscription listed only one parent—Father: Kael Frostclaw. Her name was nowhere to be found.
The fact that the pup bore my bloodline name stirred something strange and unsettling within her.
But quickly, that unease dissolved under Dorian's indignant protests.
She fixed me with a furious stare.
"The pup's death is a wound in my heart too. But why did you make this decision without consulting me? Are you trying to curse your own nephew to death?"
"I haven't even confronted you about humiliating Dorian in front of the entire pack yesterday. Do you think just because I love you, I'll tolerate everything?"
"You have ten minutes. Order the memorial keepers to destroy this rune-stone immediately. Once I've chosen a proper name, we'll have a new one carved!"
I looked coldly at this female who had wept uncontrollably when our son died.
"And if I refuse?"
She froze, staring at me with disbelief.
After a long moment, heavy disappointment filled her amber eyes.
She raised her hand, and three Enforcers emerged from the carriage behind her.
"Kael Frostclaw, he was my pup. But Dorian's pup is also mine now. If you insist on doing this, then I have no choice but to dig up his grave!"
"I'm sure his spirit will understand that I'm only protecting his little brother. He won't blame me for it."
Even though I already knew her true hideous nature, hearing her threaten to dig up my pup's grave for the sake of her lover—all over a name—still sent a sharp pain through my chest.
She stood there with that triumphant expression, certain I would surrender to protect my child's resting place.
I laughed.
Calmly, I reached into my coat and pulled out the bond severance document, tossing it at her feet.
"I'm terribly sorry, Alpha Valeheart, but I don't believe you have any right to dictate what name I give my pup."
"Because as of one hour ago, we are no longer bonded mates."
