Breaking the Bond That Broke Me

I gave everything to save my fated mate, Alpha Austen. I even lost our pups. Twice. But he gave all the credit to his adoptive sister, Seraphina. He called me weak. Useless. He always chose her tears over my scars. He even stood by as her poison shattered my wolf spirit. As I lay dying, I watched him hold my killer and whisper, “I know it wasn’t your fault. This was her fate.” Then I opened my eyes. And I was back. Back before it all went wrong. This time, I’m done explaining. Done sacrificing. Right in front of him, I disguised a potion that would sever our mate bond as a "blessing elixir" and held it to his lips. “My love,” I said, “drink this. It’ll help you comfort your poor little sister.” He drank it without a second thought. In thirty days, under the Blood Moon, our mate bond will be severed for good. But only when I was truly gone did he finally regret it. He knelt before me, again and again, calling himself my fated mate. Begging me to take him back. Chapter 1 I lost our pup trying to save my fated mate, Alpha Austen. But he gave his adoptive sister, Seraphina, all the credit. He decided I was weak, unfit to be his Luna. Later, he let her poison me. Stood by and watched as my wolf spirit shattered. I died in agony. The last thing I heard was Austen, holding Seraphina in his arms. "She brought this on herself," he whispered to her. "You were more than good to her. It's not your fault." "No!" I shot up, gasping, awakened from the nightmare. The room was familiar, yet strange. This was the pack's main house, where I lived when I was still Luna. I stumbled to the vanity, my own reflection staring back. My cheeks were healthy, flushed with life. No trace of the poison that had rotted me from the inside out. I was... reborn. Back to a time before my wolf had shattered, right after Seraphina had poisoned me for the first time. A sharp cramp twisted in my gut. I felt the tiny life inside me. This was before I lost my first pup. The memory of Austen's betrayal, the way his scent mingled with Seraphina's, sent a familiar stab of pain through my chest. I took a deep breath and got out of bed. No time to dwell on the past. I quickly changed into a long black dress and threw on a cloak. Twenty minutes later, I stood before a dilapidated hut deep in the forest. "I need a Moon-Eclipse Potion," I said, my voice was flat. "One that severs a mate bond." The witch pulled a black vial from a shelf. "The potion takes thirty days to work. On the night of the blood moon, the chains of your fate will be broken completely." She pushed the vial toward me. "The price is a single drop of your heart's blood. Yours. A powerful healer's blood is potent." Without hesitation, I bit my fingertip and let a drop of blood fall onto the vial's seal. The moment my blood touched the glass, ancient silver runes flashed, and I felt a brief flutter in my chest. "Remember," the witch warned, "hatred is the potion's greatest catalyst. Once you drink it, there is no turning back." After leaving the hut, I contacted the Healers' Coalition in the neutral territories. I informed them that in thirty days, Evelyn White would officially leave the Black Forest Pack and apply for membership. The manor was buzzing with energy when I returned. I searched my memory and remembered. It was the night of the pack's grand ceremony. "Evelyn, you're here." Austen's voice came from the top of the stairs. I looked up at him. His strong body, his perfect features, those deep blue eyes I once drowned in. Now, all I saw was the man I had to cut from my soul. "Alpha," I said, my voice a mask of polite indifference. I gave him a slight nod. He frowned, his eyes narrowing at my sudden distance. "You don't look well," he said, taking a few steps closer. "Is it another headache?" "I'm fine," I said, turning toward the balcony. "I just need some air." Moonlight spilled onto the white stone railing. I pretended to admire the night view, but the past flashed through my mind. Seraphina, Austen's adopted sister. After being betrayed by her own mate, she had severed their bond with Austen's support and returned to our pack. Austen pitied her, doted on her, and even tolerated her constant provocations and challenges against me. When she caused my first miscarriage, Austen said she didn't mean it and refused to punish her. After I miscarried a second time saving Austen's life, Seraphina stole my credit, making Austen resent me for my "cowardice." When I was poisoned and lost my wolf and healing gift, Seraphina led the pack to shun me. In the end, she killed me. I only learned the truth in my final moments. She hadn't just poisoned my body. She'd used dark magic to poison my very soul, making my wolf shatter from within. In my past life, Seraphina had given me the first dose of poison just yesterday. Footsteps sounded behind me. "Austen, I feel so weak..." That familiar voice made me turn. Seraphina, in a pale pink dress, leaned pitifully into Austen's arms. Her hand was pressed to her chest, her face pale, as if she might collapse at any moment. Austen's Alpha presence immediately enveloped her, a gentle force soothing her distress. "It's okay, Sera. I'm here." The same pose, the same words, the same gentleness. In my past life, this scene had torn my heart to shreds. But this time, I walked toward them with a smile. "Seraphina, are you alright?" I asked, my voice dripping with false concern. "Do you need me to check on you?" Austen's body tensed for a moment when he saw me, as if he wanted to explain. But Seraphina just pressed closer to him. "I'm just a little tired," she said, shaking her head weakly. "I'll be fine as long as Austen is with me." "That's good," I said, pulling the vial from my purse. "As it happens, I have a special blessing potion here." Austen's attention was immediately caught. "What kind of potion?" "It’s an essence of moonpetal flowers." I held the vial to the moonlight, the liquid shimmering with a soft, silver glow. "It enhances an Alpha's bloodline. It will help you soothe Seraphina." Austen took the vial, his eyes hesitating for a second. But perhaps out of guilt for being caught comforting Seraphina, he didn't question it. He tilted his head back and drank it all. "It's sweet," he said, setting the empty vial down. "The moonpetal flavor is strong." I'd always known Austen loved moonpetal nectar, so on my way back, I had added it to the bond-severing potion. A memory hit me, sharp and cruel. A full moon night, ten years ago. An eighteen-year-old Austen stood on this very balcony, awkwardly handing me a freshly picked moonpetal. "Evelyn, will you be my Luna?" he had asked, his face as red as a boy's, his voice nervous but sincere. "I swear, you will be my only mate. I will protect you with my life." The flower had shimmered in the moonlight, just like the love in his eyes. "I will," I had said, standing on my toes to kiss his lips. "Forever." Now, with lips tainted by that same flower, he had just drunk the poison that would end our "forever." The sweet memory was a cruel contrast to the betrayal before me. "Evelyn?" Austen's voice pulled me back to reality. "What's wrong? Your eyes are red." "The wind," I said, lowering my gaze to hide my emotions. "I'm going back to my room to rest. I've been tired lately." "I'll walk you," he offered. "No need," I said, taking a step back. "Seraphina needs you." I turned and walked away, my steps steady and firm. Behind me, I heard Seraphina's whisper. "Austen, I think Evelyn has a problem with me." "Don't overthink it," Austen's voice was a bit distracted. "She's probably just tired." A cold smile touched my lips. You'll never know, Austen. What you just drank wasn't a blessing. It was the beginning of our end. A curse. I touched my belly, my thoughts a silent promise. In thirty days, when the blood moon rises, the chains on our souls will be shattered. Austen, this is what you owe me. Chapter 2 Perhaps because I hadn't shown any hostility tonight, Austen decided to move Seraphina into the main house even earlier than before. "Seraphina is moving in. She just severed her bond with her ex-mate and her wolf is unstable. She needs to be looked after." Austen stood at the bedroom door. Behind him, Seraphina clutched her suitcase, a sweet smile on her face. In my last life, I fought him on it. Hard. We had a huge fight. He accused me of not caring about his pack members, of being unworthy to be his Luna. This time, with only thirty days left, I didn't care anymore. "Of course," I said, closing my book with a relaxed tone. "The main house is huge. It'll be nice to have more company." Austen froze. He blinked, as if unsure of what he'd just heard. "You... you agree?" "Naturally." I stood up and walked over to Seraphina. "Welcome, Seraphina. I'll have the maids prepare the best room for you." Seraphina's smile faltered for a second. She clearly hadn't expected me to be so cooperative. Austen’s expression shifted. Confusion warred with something else in his eyes… was that disappointment? "Are you sure?" he asked again, his voice probing. In my last life, I had begged him with tears not to let her move in, only to be harshly scolded. This time, I agreed without a fight, and he was the one questioning me, his voice soft and probing. "Why the questions, Austen?" I smiled, stepping closer and brushing my fingers against his arm. "Seraphina is your sister. And family should live together. Isn't that right?" Austen stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes complex. But he didn't say anything else. An hour later, Seraphina knocked on my door, holding a steaming tonic. "It’s my special herbal tea. This is the second day she’s brought it to me," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Like I said yesterday, it has silvermoon grass and stardust pollen. It will significantly boost a healer's potential. Make you even stronger." This was it. The potion that had caused my wolf to weaken and eventually shatter. In my last life, I never noticed. I thought it was just the stress of pack duties and the miscarriage that made me lose my wolf. But now, I couldn't expose her yet. Not with thirty days to go. After thirty days, I could leave for good. I looked at her, feigning surprise as I took the cup. "Thank you, Sera. I thought yesterday was a one-time thing. I can't believe you're willing to make this for me every day." I took her hand, showing a sudden closeness. My warmth clearly caught Seraphina off guard. A flicker of unease crossed her face before being replaced by pure, smug satisfaction. Just as I was about to "drink" it, Austen pushed the door open. "What are you two talking about?" "Seraphina's amazing potion. The second cup. She said she'll make it for me every day." Austen's gaze rested on the cup for a moment. He nodded. "Then you should definitely drink it." I brought the cup to my lips, tilting my head back as if to swallow every last drop. The bitter liquid only grazed my tongue. Not a single drop went down my throat. "It tastes amazing!" I said, setting the empty cup down, my eyes shining with fake gratitude. "I can already feel the energy flowing through me." After they left, I immediately spat the potion out and was about to head for the basement furnace. But Austen suddenly returned, saying he'd forgotten a document. My heart leaped. I calmly placed the cup back on the table. I angled my body, blocking his view of the sink, and smiled. "What important document has you in such a hurry?" "Nothing, just pack business." He glanced at me, grabbed the file, and left. I let out a long breath, quickly rinsed the remaining potion down the drain, and poured the rest from the cup into the poison-detecting furnace. The flame instantly turned a grotesque green, emitting a pungent, burnt smell. One cup, my wolf could recover. But a continuous dose would have destroyed me. I dodged it. Late that night, the full moon's silver light streamed into the bedroom. Austen pushed the door open. The moonlight outlined the perfect lines of his chest and abs. His Alpha scent flooded the room, thick with a primal possessiveness that once made me tremble. In my last life, I always reveled in nights like this. Now, I just wanted to escape. "Evelyn," his voice was deep and magnetic, full of suggestion. He stalked toward the bed, his heated gaze tracing a path from my face to my neck, and then to my collarbones. "You were good today," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch my face. "I like you like this. So much more... obedient." I smelled it. The scent of jasmine. Seraphina's cloyingly sweet scent. A wave of nausea hit me. I covered my mouth and ran to the bathroom. "Ugh..." "Evelyn!" Austen followed, his voice shifting from anticipation to alarm. "What's wrong?" I leaned over the sink, my stomach churning. "Your scent... it's the scent of a pup. Are you pregnant?" The lust in his eyes died. He was finally calm enough to really sense me. Yes, I was pregnant. But I was nauseous because his scent was so thick with Seraphina. Under his intense gaze, I nodded. He looked at me with pure joy, as excited as the young Alpha who had first bonded with me ten years ago. "This is wonderful, Evelyn! Our first child. I'll make him my strongest heir. I'll..." He rushed forward, pulling me into a tight embrace, trying to soothe me with his scent. Then, he seemed about to lift me, so carefully, afraid to cause any harm. "Are you in pain? A healer, I need a healer... oh, wait. I forgot you are a healer." I watched him, tears welling in my eyes. My heart twisted. He'd been just as thrilled in my last life, too. He'd promised our pup would be the strongest heir. Then Seraphina murdered our baby, and he held me, whispering, "She didn't mean it, Evelyn. We'll have another." The memory ripped through me, a sharp pain lancing across our mate bond. My wolf howled, as if trying to tear my soul apart. Austen saw my distress and quickly helped me to the bed. He was about to say something more when a piercing scream came from outside the door. "Austen! Help me! I had a nightmare!" Seraphina. On her very first night here, she was already interrupting us at the perfect time. I looked at Austen's conflicted face, and the pain in my heart began to subside. In his past life, he chose his dear sister. This life would be no different. His gaze shifted between me and the door, his breathing ragged. "Go," I said calmly. "She needs you. As always." "Evelyn..." He reached for me, but I pulled away. "Austen! Please!" Seraphina's cries grew more frantic. His hand froze in mid-air for a few seconds before dropping. He looked at me, his expression torn. "You're a powerful healer. You can take care of yourself. Sera... she needs me more." He rushed out, not even bothering to put on a shirt. After the door closed, I looked at myself in the mirror and laughed coldly. Even knowing I was carrying his child, he still chose her. "See that, little one? That's your father," I whispered, stroking my belly, my eyes filled with a bone-deep chill. "But don't worry. Mommy will protect you. This time, no one will hurt you." Chapter 3 Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. When I woke up, the other side of the bed was empty. "Luna, you're awake." A maid knocked gently before entering. "Should I prepare breakfast?" "Where's Austen?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. The maid looked a little awkward. "The Alpha spent the night at Moonlit Cliff with Miss Seraphina. He said he was calming her down. He only came back at dawn and is now in his study, buried in pack business." Moonlit Cliff. The place Austen had once promised to share only with me. "Evelyn, this is our pack's sacred ground. Only the Alpha and Luna can feel the moonlight here on a full moon," a young Austen had said, holding my hand at the cliff's edge. "No one in the pack will ever disturb us." "Really?" I had smiled, leaning against his chest. "I swear. Moonlit Cliff belongs only to us." Only to us. Now, he had taken another woman there. "Thank you for telling me," I said to the maid, my voice so calm it surprised even me. "No breakfast for me." After she left, I got up and walked to the wardrobe. Since he had already broken all his promises, there was no reason for me to hold onto anything. I began to pack. Not clothes or jewels. Only what mattered. My healing notes. The mementos from my past life, I hadn't kept a single one this time. I opened my jewelry box and saw the "Moongod Stone" necklace. It was a gift from Austen when we became mates, a symbol of my status as Luna and his love. In my past life, I couldn't bear to take it off, even in my darkest moments. Now, I unclasped it without hesitation and walked to the fireplace. "Goodbye," I whispered, and tossed the necklace into the fire. The Moongod Stone, a symbol of his eternal love, glowed red-hot in the flames, then blackened and crumbled to ash. Just like his promises. At ten in the morning, Austen walked in. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, his clothes slightly disheveled. "Evelyn, about last night..." he began, trying to explain. "You don't have to explain," I said, continuing to organize the files in my drawer. "An Alpha can go wherever he pleases. He certainly doesn't need to report his movements to a mere pack healer." He froze. "A mere pack healer?" "What's wrong?" I looked up at him, my expression calm. "Isn't that what I am? The kind who serves the Black Forest Pack." "Evelyn, what are you talking about? You're my Luna, my mate..." "Am I?" I put down the files and looked him straight in the eye. "Then why did you leave your pregnant mate to watch the moon with another woman last night?" Austen's face went pale. "Seraphina... she had a breakdown. I couldn't just leave her." "Of course you couldn't," I said, my voice devoid of warmth. "She's more important than me, isn't she? More important than me, more important than our child." "That's not true!" he argued frantically. "You're the most important person to me..." "Austen," I cut him off, walking up to him. "Do you remember what you once told me? About Moonlit Cliff?" His face grew even paler. "Pack law says that only the true Luna is worthy to watch the moon with the Alpha on Moonlit Cliff," I said, word by word. "And now you've taken her there." "I..." He opened his mouth, but found he had nothing to say. "You broke your vow, Austen." I turned back to my packing. "Since that's the case, there's nothing more for us to talk about." He just stood there, staring at my back. For the first time, I saw a flicker of genuine panic in his eyes. "Evelyn, what are you packing?" "My things," I said, not bothering to turn. "Seraphina is moving in. I'll move to the guest wing. I wouldn't want to be in your way." "No!" He strode over and grabbed my wrist. "You can't leave!" I looked down at his hand on my arm, my eyes empty of any emotion. "Let go." "Evelyn, let me explain..." "Explain what?" I pulled my hand free. "Explain why you chose her after I told you I was pregnant? Explain why you shared our sacred place with someone else? Or explain why you always put her first?" "I don't..." "You do," I said, my voice as cold as ice. "You always have. From the first day we were together, Seraphina has always been more important than me." I walked toward the door and glanced back at him. "I'm just tired. I'm pregnant. I need to rest." With that, I walked out, leaving him standing alone in the room. Behind me, I heard his voice, tight with a panic I'd never heard before. "Evelyn! You can't just leave like this!" But I didn't look back. Walking down the hallway, I stroked my belly, a sense of calm washing over me. Twenty-nine days. Just twenty-nine more days, and I would be free. Chapter 4 The next morning, Austen appeared at the door of my new room. He wore a formal black suit, his expression grim. "Get ready. We're going to see my father." I put down my healing notes. "The old Alpha's condition has worsened?" "The doctors say he might not make it through the month," he said, his voice hoarse. "He wants to see you." I nodded and got up to change. The old Alpha was the kindest elder in the pack to me. I wouldn't disappoint him. "Evelyn," he called out, his eyes a storm of complex emotions. "I promise, Sera won't bother us. Today is just for us." A promise. The word sounded so ridiculous coming from him now. "Fine," I replied curtly. An hour later, our car was heading toward the pack's sanatorium. Throughout the drive, Austen kept glancing at me, as if he wanted to say something but never did. I leaned against the window, watching the scenery fly by, feeling surprisingly calm. The sanatorium was an old, elegant building surrounded by a dense forest. The old Alpha's room was on the top floor, sunlight pouring in through a huge floor-to-ceiling window. "Evelyn, my child." The old man on the bed reached out a trembling hand. I hurried over and took his frail hand. "Grandfather." His eyes were still bright, but his body was clearly failing. "I heard you're pregnant," he said with a gentle smile. "Yes." I stroked my belly. "Wonderful," he said, turning to his nightstand and struggling to pick up an ancient jewelry box. "This should belong to you." Inside the box lay a magnificent necklace. A moonstone pendant shimmered with silver light, and the entire piece radiated an ancient, sacred aura. "This is the 'Moonlight Necklace,' passed down through generations of Lunas," the old Alpha said. "Only the true Luna can wear it." He motioned for me to bow my head, and he placed the necklace around my neck himself. The moment it touched my skin, I felt a warm energy flow through me. "Perfect," the old Alpha nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Austen. "Remember your oath, Austen. The honor of the Luna must not be tarnished." Austen nodded solemnly. "I remember, Father." But as he said it, he wasn't looking at me. He was looking out the window. Two hours later, we were leaving. The necklace swayed gently on my chest, each movement a reminder of my current status. As we walked through the sanatorium gardens, a tinkling, familiar laugh cut through the air. "Austen!" Seraphina, in a white dress, came gliding toward us like a butterfly. Behind her were four or five young noblewomen, all from prominent pack families. "What are you all doing here?" Austen frowned. "We came to visit the old Alpha, of course," Seraphina said, linking her arm with his and pressing close. "And we were having a little get-together in the garden." Her friends swarmed around, chirping compliments. "Seraphina, you're looking more beautiful every day." "Yes, as graceful as the moon goddess herself." "Alpha Austen is so lucky to have a sister like you." Their praise was a weapon, and every word was aimed to make me invisible. "Oh, Evelyn is here too," one of the noble girls finally "noticed" me, her tone dripping with disdain. I gave a calm nod. "Heavens, what is that?" another girl pointed at my necklace, her voice sharp. "Isn't that... the Moonlight Necklace?" All eyes instantly focused on my chest. The air froze for a few seconds. Then, an even more heated discussion erupted. "Wow, Seraphina, you would look so much better in that necklace than anyone." "Yes, her aura is practically made for it." "It's a shame a family heirloom like that can't be tried on, or Seraphina would look stunning." Seraphina’s expression was a masterclass in practiced innocence. Surprise melted into longing, then twisted into a pitiful, wounded look as she bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears—a classic trick. She looked up at Austen. "Can I just see it? Just for a moment," she pleaded, her voice soft and sweet. "I've heard grandfather talk about it my whole life, but I've never seen the real thing." The noble girls immediately started chanting. "Let Seraphina try it on!" "Just for a second, it won't break." "She'll look amazing in it!" I felt Austen's body tense. His gaze darted between me and Seraphina, his breathing becoming ragged. "Austen... please," Seraphina cooed, gently shaking his arm like a spoiled child. "I really want to try it. Just for a second, please?" The clamor around them grew louder. Austen’s jaw was tight. This whole scene was clearly embarrassing him. He turned to me, his voice laced with impatience and command. "You're the Luna, Evelyn. Act like it. Be generous." His words hit me like a bucket of ice water. They extinguished the last, pathetic spark of hope in my heart. Generous? In his eyes, my dignity, our vows... they could all be sacrificed for the sake of being "generous." The crowd's chanting grew louder, as if my surrender was a foregone conclusion. I looked at Austen’s handsome, cold face and suddenly, I smiled. I felt no anger. No sadness. Not even disappointment. Because I already knew this was how it would end. I raised my hands, my movements slow and elegant, and unclasped the necklace. As everyone watched with anticipation, I held it out to him, my hand perfectly steady. "Of course," my voice was terrifyingly calm. "Give it to her. After all, a sister's whim is more important than a Luna's honor." Chapter 5 Austen snatched the necklace from my hand. "Lower your head, Sera," Austen said softly. Seraphina obediently lowered her head, revealing her long, pale neck. His hands were steady as he held the necklace, his focus absolute. In the fading light, he looked like a priest performing a sacred ritual. His eyes saw only her. That focused gaze, those careful movements, that gentle expression… It was exactly how he had looked when he’d placed the bonding necklace on me at our ceremony. The moonstone glowed against her skin. She looked like a real Luna, elegant and captivating. "So beautiful!" the onlookers gasped. "Seraphina is a natural-born Luna!" "That necklace looks like it was made for her!" "She deserves that title more than anyone!" Every compliment was a knife in my heart. Seraphina, surrounded by her fawning entourage, had a triumphant gleam in her eyes. She stroked the necklace, basking in the attention. Then, her eyes met mine. A look of fake panic crossed her face, as if she'd forgotten she was the one who demanded it. "Oh no!" She made a show of fumbling to take the necklace off. "I can't wear this! It belongs to the true Luna! I'm not worthy..." Her voice trembled, and tears of "remorse" filled her eyes. "Sera, it's fine," Austen said, stopping her hand. "Just wear it for a little while. It looks good." "No! Absolutely not!" Seraphina shook her head, pulling at the clasp while looking at me. "Evelyn, I'm so sorry! I was just so captivated by its beauty!" She made a show of fumbling with the clasp, her fingers shaking dramatically. I instinctively reached out my hand. But just as the necklace was about to be passed to me… Her fingers "accidentally" slipped. The Moonlight Necklace slid from her grasp. CRACK. The sound of shattering stone split the air. The moonstone hit the stone steps. A spiderweb of cracks fractured the gem's surface before it shattered into a thousand pieces. The sacred symbol of generations of Lunas, destroyed right before my eyes. "No!" Seraphina fell to her knees, staring at the fragments with red-rimmed eyes. "I didn't mean to! I really didn't mean to!" "It's all Evelyn's fault!" a girl named Ellie immediately accused. "Sera was trying to give it back to you! Why didn't you catch it properly?" "Yeah!" another girl, Camilla, chimed in. "Now look what happened! Such a precious treasure is ruined!" "Sera was being so careful! You're the one who couldn't hold on to it!" The accusations crashed over me. I could only stare at the glittering shards on the ground. My heart had shattered with them. That necklace, just like my past life's spirit wolf and my position as Luna... all so fragile. "Evelyn." Austen walked up to me, his tone an undeniable command. "Sera didn't do it on purpose. Just look at her. She’s devastated. Forgive her." I looked up at him. There was no pain in his eyes for the broken necklace, no guilt toward me. Only protectiveness for Seraphina and annoyance at me for "making a scene." "She didn't do it on purpose," he repeated, his voice harder. "Don't make her feel guilty." I opened my mouth to argue. To remind him of the honor this necklace represented. To tell him Seraphina obviously let it go. To tell him how much this hurt. Then the memory of the potion hit me like ice water. The Moon-Eclipse Potion. In twenty-eight days, I would be free. None of this would matter. Why waste a single emotion on these people? "Of course," I said, turning to leave. "The Alpha is right." "Evelyn!" Austen called after me. I heard his footsteps following. But in the next second, a pained moan came from Seraphina. "Austen… I don't feel good… my stomach hurts…" His footsteps stopped cold. "Sera! What's wrong?" Austen spun around and ran to her without a second thought. "I'll get you to the infirmary right now!" I kept walking, not looking back. Behind me, I could hear his worried voice and the comforting murmurs of the others. Back in the main building, I went straight to my closet and started packing a bag. An hour later, the door opened. Austen walked in, a hint of apology on his face. "Evelyn, about the necklace…" "How is she?" I asked, not looking up from my packing. "Is Seraphina okay?" "She was just emotional," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "The doctor said she just needs to rest." "Good to hear." He watched me packing and frowned. "You're not really leaving over a necklace, are you?" A necklace? I stopped and looked at him. "In your eyes, that was just a necklace?" "That's not what I meant…" He looked flustered. "I know it was important, but it's broken. We can find the best craftsman to fix it. There must be some magic that can repair it perfectly…" "Repair it?" I laughed, a cold, empty sound. "Austen, some things, once they're broken, stay broken." "It's not just the necklace." He was silent for a few seconds, then pulled a small, ornate box from his jacket. "I got this for you." His voice softened. "I know you've been upset lately. I hope this makes you happy." I took the box, my heart giving an unwelcome flutter. Just then, the door was thrown open again. "Austen!" Camilla burst in, ecstatic. "It's the best news!" "Seraphina's pregnant! They just confirmed it!" The box slipped from his hand, falling to the floor with a clatter. His face was a storm of emotions. Shock, joy, panic… all swirled together. "What did you say?" His voice trembled. "Sera's pregnant!" Camilla was practically bouncing. "She's scared right now! She wants to see you!" Austen glanced at me, a flash of guilt in his eyes. But the hesitation was quickly replaced by excitement. "I'm coming," he said, rushing out the door. The door slammed shut. I bent down and picked up the gift box, slowly opening it. Inside was a gaudy, oversized ruby ring. The style was gaudy, the color garish. It wasn’t me. It was proof he’d never really seen me at all. I closed the box and walked to the trash. The ring made a soft clink as it landed. "You're going to be a father!" a voice celebrated outside. Chapter 6 The excited voices outside faded away. An invisible fist clamped around my heart, squeezing the air from my lungs. The pain spread from my chest through my entire body. Seraphina was pregnant? With Austen’s child? Two hours later, Austen finally returned. He looked flustered, but he was trying to hide it behind a mask of nonchalance. "Evelyn, about Sera's pregnancy, I need to explain." I put down my book and looked at him. "The baby isn't mine," he said, walking toward me, his tone certain. "It has to be her ex's. She just broke her bond with her previous mate, right? The timing fits perfectly." He said it so casually, as if it were a minor inconvenience. "So?" I asked calmly. "So, you don't need to worry." He sat beside me, trying to pull me into a hug. "There's nothing wrong between us. You're overthinking this." Overthinking? I looked at his matter-of-fact expression, and a wave of sadness washed over me. Did he really think a few simple words would put me at ease? Did he think I was still the same foolish woman who would forgive anything he said? Just then, I heard laughter from outside the window. My gaze drifted down to the garden. Seraphina was standing there, surrounded by a crowd of fawning girls. She had one hand on her stomach, a satisfied smile on her face. It wasn't the look of a nervous, first-time mother. It was the smug look of a victor. When she thought no one was looking, she glanced up toward the main building, a sly glint in her eye. In that instant, I understood everything. The child was Austen's. In my past life, this never happened. Seraphina was never pregnant, and she certainly never had a child with Austen. Was it my distance this time that pushed them together? Was it my coldness that made him seek comfort in her arms? "I get it," I said, standing up again and walking to my closet. "Get what?" Austen frowned. "I get that you two are a perfect match." I shoved the rest of my clothes into my suitcase. "Now that she's having a baby, your future together is even more secure." "Evelyn, what are you talking about?" His tone grew impatient. "I told you the baby isn't mine. Why won't you believe me?" "It doesn't matter if I believe you or not," I said, closing the suitcase. "What matters is, I'm leaving." His face changed. "What?" "You heard me." I dragged my suitcase to the door. "I'm leaving." "No!" He shot to his feet, physically blocking my path. "You can't leave. You are my Luna. And you are carrying our child!" "A child?" I scoffed. "Aren't you more concerned about the one in Seraphina's belly?" "It's not mine!" he snapped, growing agitated. "Evelyn, stop being unreasonable!" Unreasonable. That word extinguished the last bit of warmth in my soul. "Fine." I moved around him. "Since I'm so unreasonable, you don't have to worry about me anymore." "Where could you possibly go?" he demanded, his voice dripping with terrifying confidence. "Outside this pack, you are nothing. You have nothing." His voice was dripping with a terrifying confidence. As if I was his property, and I could never truly leave him. I didn't answer. I just walked out of the room. Downstairs, I made a call on a secure line. "It's me, Evelyn," I whispered. "Arrange for pickup. I'm leaving ahead of schedule." "Understood, Master. We'll meet at the old oak tree on the back hill in two hours." After hanging up, I glanced at the clock. Two hours to go. I headed to the back garden to wait. Night fell, and the pack grew quiet. I sat alone on a stone bench, watching the distant lights. This place was once my home. Now, it was the place I was most desperate to escape. When the time was almost up, I started toward the back hill. The moonlight was faint, the path rugged. I walked carefully, trying not to make a sound. Finally, I reached the old oak tree. I saw a figure waiting in the shadows. "You came." A familiar voice. My heart sank. It wasn't my contact from the Alliance. It was Seraphina. She stepped out of the shadows, a cold smirk on her face. In the moonlight, her expression was sinister. "Surprised?" she purred, stroking her belly. "The men you were waiting for? Let's just say they've been... detained. Permanently." I took a step back. "What do you want?" "To send you on your way, of course." She pulled a black crystal from her robes. "Since you want to leave so badly, you can just never come back." The crystal began to glow with an eerie red light, a foul energy filling the air. "The Soul-Devouring Curse," I recognized the forbidden magic. "Clever girl," she sneered, chanting an ancient spell. "But you're too late." "You and that little bastard in your belly can go to hell together!" A spear of black energy shot from the crystal, aimed right at my stomach. A searing pain tore through my consciousness. I could feel the small life inside me writhing in agony, its faint heartbeat fading fast. "No! My baby!" I desperately summoned my healing energy to fight back, a silver light clashing with the black curse. But the curse was too strong. I couldn't block it all. "Hahaha!" Seraphina's laughter was manic. "After you're dead, I'll be Austen's Luna! It's all your fault for stealing everything that was mine!" I felt the life inside me growing weaker, about to slip into an eternal sleep. "My baby..." A silent scream tore through me for the child I was about to lose. "I'm so sorry..." My vision went black, and I collapsed onto the cold, rocky ground. Before I lost consciousness, I heard Seraphina's triumphant voice. "No one can save you now." Chapter 7 When I opened my eyes again, I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. The room smelled of herbs, nothing like the pack's infirmary. "You're awake." A gentle male voice came from beside the bed. I struggled to turn my head and saw a young, blond-haired man sitting in a chair, his eyes filled with concern. "Who...?" My voice was a dry whisper. "Liam Grey. Senior Healer of the Neutral Healers' Alliance." He handed me a glass of water. "The Alliance sent me to investigate a surge of forbidden magic, and I found you." I took the water, my hand still shaking. "How long was I out?" "Ten days." Liam's expression was grave. "You were hit by a high-level curse. Your spirit wolf almost shattered completely." Ten days. "My baby..." I whispered, my hand flying to my stomach. "Still there," Liam said, gently placing his hand over mine. "The heartbeat is very weak, but it's alive." Just then, a sharp pain shot through my chest. "Ah!" "It's the Moon-Eclipse Potion," Liam’s voice was tight with alarm. "It’s activating. You have to fight through it. Hold on!" The burning agony spread from my heart through my whole body. My spirit wolf was screaming. I felt invisible chains snapping one by one. It was my soul-bond with Austen. The seed I had planted thirty days ago had finally bloomed. A final, violent SNAP echoed in the depths of my soul. And then… nothing. Silence. Freedom. The pain was gone. I collapsed onto the bed, gasping. For the first time in two lifetimes, my heart felt light. I was free. "It's done," Liam said, checking my vitals. "Your mate bond is completely severed. From now on, you are free." "But now," Liam looked at me with worry, "you must go to the Shadowmire Swamp to save your pup." --- Austen's POV "Alpha, we've searched the entire northern forest. Still no sign of her." I looked at my captain's exhausted face, my frustration reaching its peak. It had been ten days. For ten days, I'd used every resource, sent out hundreds of pack members. I had personally searched every inch of land, every possible hiding place. But she was gone. Vanished into thin air. "Keep looking!" I roared. "I want her found. Dead or alive." My men exchanged glances. They could all see I was on the verge of breaking. Back in my study, I collapsed into my chair. The desk was piled high with search reports, every single one a dead end. "Austen..." Seraphina knocked softly and entered with a cup of hot tea. "You haven't rested in ten days," she said gently, placing the cup in front of me. "You're going to collapse if you keep this up." I didn't look up. "How can I rest when she's not found?" "Maybe..." Seraphina said, carefully sitting beside me. "Maybe Evelyn is just throwing a tantrum. You know how women can be. She just wants to make you worry, to prove that you care." I looked up at her. Her eyes were full of concern, and something else... a hint of expectation I couldn't quite place. "Right." I tried to clear my head. "She must still be angry about the necklace, and the misunderstanding about the pregnancy." After all, Evelyn loved me so much. We were fated mates. How could she really leave me? "She'll come back," I said, my voice firming with certainty. "Once I find her, apologize, and explain everything, she'll forgive me." A flash of disappointment crossed Seraphina's face, but she quickly hid it. "Of course. But... what if she really doesn't want to come back..." "She will," I cut her off. "Evelyn can't live without me," I said, the words a shield against the creeping fear. "She's just trying to make me worry. To make me realize how important she is." "But what if..." "There is no 'what if'," I said, standing up. "We are mates. Our souls are connected. She could never truly leave me." Seraphina bit her lip, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions. "Then... what about me?" she asked, her hand on her belly. "What about my child?" "You're my sister. I will take care of you," I said, standing up. "But my Luna can only be Evelyn." Moonlit Cliff... I remembered how Evelyn used to go there when she was upset. Maybe I missed a clue! I stood, ready to race to the cliff. But just then, a tearing pain ripped through my chest. "Argh!" A violent cough ripped through me, and blood sprayed from my lips. My knees gave out. I crashed to the floor as a phantom hand plunged into my chest and tore my soul in half. This feeling... The mate bond... it's breaking! "No! Evelyn!" I screamed at the sky. "Impossible!" The pain grew more intense. I could feel the invisible thread connecting our souls snapping, inch by inch. Every break was like another slice into my heart. "Austen!" Seraphina knelt beside me in terror. "What's wrong?" "She... she's severing the bond," I gasped, the words torn from me. I curled into a ball on the floor, consumed by agony. SNAP. With one final, sickening crack, it was over. The emptiness swallowed my world whole. I felt like a walking corpse. "No... impossible..." I stared at my hands, trembling. "How could she... she loves me so much... how could she really sever the bond..." A colossal fear suddenly gripped my heart. She wasn't throwing a tantrum. She wasn't trying to make me worry. She was actually leaving me. For good. "Evelyn..." My voice shook. "Our bond... no!"