While serving moon-wine near the garden fires, I tried to fade into the lantern glow, praying the pack wouldn’t see me. But they did. Every whisper burned like acid beneath my skin.
“Alpha Malven and Lady Rivelle look perfectly matched.”
“She moves like a true Luna of Wolfsbane Pack.”
“That pup is disciplined. She raised him well.”
“Alpha Malven finally chose a worthy mate.”
I kept pouring, fingers tightening around the silver tray until my knuckles ached. My plain black servant’s dress clung to me like a mark of disgrace. Around me, wolves glittered in moon-gems and blood-earned power.
Then it happened.
Ryke—Malven’s prized heir—slid his polished boot into my path. I saw it too late. My heel caught.
I pitched forward. Crystal shattered across marble. Moon-wine splashed over a noblewoman’s ivory gown, the stain blooming like an unforgivable curse.
Gasps tore through the garden. Music died.
I stood amid the wreckage, hands shaking.
Ryke lifted his chin and said clearly, “She destroys everything. Just like she destroyed my little brother.”
Silence crushed the air.
Rivelle rose slowly, one hand resting on her womb, eyes shining with practiced fear.
“Please… he’s only a pup,” she said softly. “He’s been terrified ever since that cursed urn entered our den. He has nightmares.”
A pause, then poison. “About her. About what she did.”
Someone whispered, “The urn… Moon Mother preserve us…”
I murmured to myself, unheard, The urn that held my pup. The one you all shattered.
Malven cut through the crowd like a blade. His grip crushed my arm, yanking me forward.
“You dare shame me before the packs? Before Rivelle?”
His voice burned. “You ruin everything you touch.”
His palm struck my face. Blood filled my mouth, but I didn’t fall.
Rivelle gasped softly. “Malven… don’t hurt her. She’s still the mother of your pup.” Her hand stroked her belly like a blessing.
Then his mother arrived, heavy with jewels, a queen ready to pass judgment. “Sever the bond tonight,” she ordered. “I won’t have filth tied to our bloodline.”
This time, I raised my head.
“No need,” I said, my voice cracked but steady. “The severance was approved this morning. You can keep your heir. I want nothing more from this pack.”
Malven froze—confused, insulted, almost afraid.
His mother slapped me hard enough to ring my ears. “How dare you speak as if you have a choice? You should be grateful we ever tolerated you!”
Whispers erupted.
“She should be locked away again.”
“She’s unstable.”
“She’s mad.”
“She won’t survive without the Alpha.”
My wrist crystal vibrated. Two words glowed: Bond severed.
For a heartbeat, the world blurred. Then I smiled—thin, sharp, free. I wiped my lip, lifted my chin, and walked toward the gates.
Malven shouted after me. “Viora! Where do you think you’re going?”
I didn’t turn. “Somewhere you’ll never cage me again.”
He moved to command his guards—but Rivelle gasped and collapsed right on cue. Panic erupted. Wolves surged forward. Moon-crystals flashed.
No one stopped me.
***
Back at the den, the maid opened the door, eyes wide with guilt. I passed her in silence and climbed to Elian’s room.
His scent still lingered—sweet, untouched by their rot.
I packed his toys. His gnawed storybooks. His small clothes. I pressed each to my chest, memorizing the weight of what I’d lost.
Then I removed my mating ring and placed it on his pillow.
The maid watched, gripping the railing. I walked past her, out to my rusted car and sat behind the wheel. The Alpha mansion gleamed in my vision—cold, monstrous, beautiful the way a coffin is beautiful.
“Goodbye, Malven,” I whispered. “Wait for the day I burn your kingdom to ash.”
My crystal buzzed again and again.
[Come back now. You humiliated me. Ungrateful bitch. Leave, and you’ll suffer.]
I smiled faintly and sent two words:
FUCK YOU!
Then I drove.
