Selene's POV
I pressed my thumb to the communication moonstone and cut the connection.
"What bonding ceremony were you talking about?"Caelan asked again.
My fingers tightened around the Communication moonstone for just a moment.
"A friend of mine,"I said calmly."She is preparing her bonding rite.She asked me to help."
Caelan studied me.Then he nodded slowly.
"You always loved ceremonies,"he said."You even planned our moon-rite anniversary like a second bonding."
I did not reply.
Three years of being his mate.
For three years,I begged him to acknowledge our bond before the pack.
He had finally agreed.He promised that on our anniversary,the whole territory would know I was his.We were supposed to stand before them together,our newborn pup in our arms.
The anniversary was two days away.
My pup was gone.
And the wolf standing in front of me was the one who had taken him.
I kept my eyes low so Caelan would not see what was burning inside them.
"Why are you here?"I asked quietly.
He seemed relieved that I was not fighting him.
"I know you are hurting,"he said,his voice softening."But I will make it right.Verra only has a few months left.If you can just be a little kind to her...when she is gone,things can go back to how they were."
When she is gone.
The words almost made me laugh out loud.
He had no idea.I had already decided to leave.There was nothing to go back to.There never would be again.
But I simply nodded.
"Alright."
Caelan visibly relaxed.
"Actually,"he continued,"Verra will be leaving the den soon.Could you prepare that healing broth for her?The one with the moon-herb and bone root.You know the one.It helps her strength come back faster."
So that was the real reason he had come.
To ask the wolf whose pup had just been taken to cook for the wolf who helped take him.
Anger moved through my chest like fire through dry grass.
Then I remembered something my mother used to say before she became someone I no longer knew.
If you want to defeat your enemy,never let them see your true face.
I pressed a faint smile onto my lips.
"Of course,"I said.
Caelan blinked."You...agree?"
"Why wouldn't I?"I replied."Verra is my sister."
A satisfied look settled on his face.The look of a wolf who believed he had the situation under control.
"I knew I could count on you."
He stepped forward and moved to press his lips to my forehead.I turned slightly so that his mouth met only air.
"I still feel unwell,"I said.
He paused,then nodded."I will go arrange Verra's release."
The door closed behind him.
The moment it did,the smile left my face.
Two hours later,I walked out of the Sacred Den.
The bright afternoon light washed over me.I had to stop and shield my eyes.I had been inside for three days and the world outside had simply...continued.The trees still stood.The wind still moved through the valley.No one knew that I had buried my pup without a burial.
I pulled my cloak around me and walked to the pack's transit post.
"The lower valley,"I told the escort quietly.
He nodded and we moved.
As the forest passed on either side,my hand moved slowly to my stomach.To the place where my son had been.The pup they had taken.
A dull ache spread through my chest like a chill settling inside me.You deserved to live.
My eyes closed for just a moment.But the tears did not come.If I wept now,they would win.And I would never let them win again.
My Communication moonstone pulsed.It was Elder Brennan,my pack counsel.
"My lady,"his voice was careful."I received your message.Is everything alright?"
"I am fine,"I said."I need you to prepare a few things for me."
"Of course."
"The bond-breaking papers must be ready today.I will sign them in two days."
"Understood."
"And one more thing."
"My true name needs to be restored."
A pause settled on the line.
"You mean the name your uncle spoke of?"
"Yes."
"I want the name Selene of Caelan's pack removed from every record."
Elder Brennan drew a short breath."That will require a formal blood declaration before the Moon Goddess's seal.It is not a small thing."
"I will send you everything you need to begin."
"It can be done,"he said."It will take time to complete.But we can start today."
"Good."
I looked out at the trees moving past.
"My bond has lasted three years,"I said quietly."My leaving will take two days."
Elder Brennan was silent for a moment.Then he said gently,"I understand,my lady.I will handle everything."
"Thank you."
I lowered the Stone and leaned back.
For two more days,I would play the part.The quiet,understanding mate.The good sister.The wolf who had been broken.
And then Selene of Caelan's pack would vanish.
And the world they had built on top of her would begin to crack.
