The 100th Task- When His Fated Mate Finally Gave Up

Alpha Fabian's first reaction to learning I was his fated mate? Rejection. But drunk at the bonfire festival, he couldn't fight the pull of fate. He marked me. Marking a rejected mate came with a price. His power weakened. Forced into a bond with me, he despised me. For two years, I bled for him. I did 100 impossible things, just hoping for a single glance. I snuck into forbidden lands for rare herbs. I negotiated with enemy packs. I fought on the front lines for him in pack wars, always coming back covered in scars. But the one he truly loved was my adopted sister, Gloria. Even my own parents, the pack's Beta, hated me. I was their lost daughter, raised by rogues for fifteen years. But they only had eyes for their perfect, obedient adopted girl. Then, on my 100th task, I nearly died in the Valley of Shadows. When I woke up, I had amnesia. I was done chasing a cold mate and a family's love I'd never have. And when I finally walked away, Fabian discovered the truth. It was never me who couldn't live without him. It was always him. Chapter 1 For two years, I did everything thing for my fated mate, Alpha Fabian. One hundred dangerous tasks, just to make him happy. But he only ever loved my sister, Gloria. My 100th task for him? Venturing into the Valley of Shadows to steal a rare herb from a hostile pack. This time, I almost didn't make it back. "You stupid girl! You almost died!" A sharp, female voice pierced my ears. I slowly opened my eyes. The white ceiling of a tent swam into view. A splitting pain shot through my head. My memories were a blur, a fog. "For a mission? You went into the Valley of Shadows alone for that fool!" a man's angry roar followed. Valley of Shadows? Mission? I tried to remember, but all I got were broken pieces. The backlash from a pack ward lit up the sky, then everything went black. "I…" "Enough!" The woman cut me off, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Look at you. What a wreck you've made of yourself, just to get Fabian's attention. I think the Moon Goddess got it wrong with this whole fated mate thing!" Fabian. The name made my heart race, but I couldn't picture his face. "Gloria was worried sick about you all night," she went on, her tone suddenly softening. "She's already so fragile, and you've stressed her into a wreck." I watched her expression shift. Disgust when she looked at me. Pure love when she talked about Gloria. "Who are you? Who's Gloria?" I asked, my voice weak. The man and woman exchanged a look. "Oh, so now you have amnesia?" the man sneered. "Convenient." "She's our adopted daughter," he continued. "A thousand times better than you ever were." Adopted? Then what about me? "Am I your real daughter?" "So what if you are?" my mother snapped. "Are you blaming us now? You were gone for fifteen years. We thought you were dead. Gloria was the one who got us through those painful years. Even now that you're back, a she-wolf raised as a rogue… You're no Beta warrior. And you'll never be fit to be this pack's Luna." Gone for fifteen years. So I was their daughter. But clearly, blood meant nothing. "The healer said you might have some memory loss, but you look fine to me," my father said, standing up. "Now that you're awake, cut the sympathy act. Gloria's coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow. Be there. The Alpha has been planning it for months." After they left, I lay alone in bed. A wave of being completely unloved washed over me. It was a chilling reminder: I had to figure out who I really was. I struggled to sit up and found a small, encrypted communicator and a leather-bound journal tucked inside my clothes. On the cover, in my own handwriting, were the words: "For Fabian - My 100 Things." My hand trembled as I cracked open the cover. "Task #1: Fabian mentioned he likes purple wind-bells. I searched the entire forest to find them. He tossed them on the table without a second glance." My heart began to pound. "Task #15: Fabian wanted the Blaze-fire pack's secret combat manual. I snuck into their sacred grounds and stole it. I was almost caught, got my arm sliced by a silver bullet. When he took it, all he said was, 'It's useful enough.'" Task #20, Task #30, Task #50… Every page was a testament to my pathetic devotion and his icy cruelty. "Task #67: I spent three months learning to brew his favorite ancient mead. When I brought it to him, he was talking to Gloria. He didn't even look up. 'Just leave it on the table,' he said." Tears blurred my vision. "Task #78: Fabian's power went wild. He was in agony all night. I stayed by his side, feeding him my energy to calm him. When dawn broke, his first words were, 'Where's Gloria? Did I wake her?'" My hand clenched the journal, my knuckles turning white. Every word was a knife, cutting into my amnesiac but still-aching heart. "Task #100: It's Gloria's birthday. Fabian asked me to negotiate with the hostile pack in the Valley of Shadows for a rare herb for her. I know it's dangerous, but if it makes him happy…" I slammed the journal shut. My tears blurred the words, but the pain was crystal clear. I didn't remember doing any of it, but reading the words, I could feel that girl's desperate love. How stupid she was. Risking her life just for a moment of kindness from a man who didn't love her. I wiped my tears. I flipped to a blank page and wrote my final entry. "Task #101: Leave him. Reclaim myself." I wiped my eyes, picked up the cold communicator, and pressed the button to call the pack Elder. "Elder, I'm requesting the Bond-Severing Ritual. I am rejecting my fated mate." "Are you certain, child?" the Elder's voice came through, thick with shock. "Once the ritual begins, it can never be undone." "I'm certain," my voice was unnervingly calm. The line went silent for a moment before the Elder's voice returned, grave. "Child, the ritual requires the Moon Goddess’s Tear. The sacred artifact is locked in the Alpha's safe. Fabian's safe. You must get it before the full moon in three days, or the ritual cannot proceed." Chapter 2 Three days. I only had three days. The coming-of-age ceremony was tomorrow. The entire pack would be there. It was my best shot at getting the Moon Goddess's Tear. My mind set, I let instinct guide me back to my rooms. The place was empty. No flowers, no warm decorations, not even a single photo. It was as cold as the entries in my journal. I lay in bed, planning for tomorrow and searching for information on neutral cities. Places free from any pack's control. Places where I could start over. The next morning, my mother's angry voice echoed in my head. "Hazel! Get to the main hall, now! Gloria's ceremony is starting!" I put on the only thing in my closet that wasn't battle gear: a plain black dress. No jewelry. No fine accessories. I didn't even own a decent mirror. So this was what it was like to be the "real daughter" of a powerful Beta family, the mate of the pack Alpha. The main hall was ablaze with light, packed with guests. Everyone wore lavish gowns and formal attire, their faces glowing with joy. I stood in a corner, an outsider watching a party that had nothing to do with me. "Look, here comes our little princess!" Fabian's voice, deep and proud, cut through the noise. I turned, my eyes landing on a tall, handsome man. That was Fabian. My mate. But he wasn't looking at me. His gaze was fixed on the figure gliding through the crowd behind me. Gloria. She wore a gown of pure white silk, embroidered with the silver crest of the Moon Goddess. Her hair was woven into an intricate braid, dotted with pearls and diamonds. She looked ethereal. "You look beautiful," Fabian breathed, walking toward her, his eyes filled with a deep, unguarded affection. I watched them, a familiar pang of pain hitting my chest. "Let me fix this for you," Fabian said softly, adjusting a jewel on her shoulder. He touched her like she was spun from moonlight, while I was just the shadow at their feet. The guests murmured in admiration. "They're a perfect match!" "The way he looks at her… so tender!" "The Alpha and his treasure. What a beautiful sight." I stood there, listening to the praise, feeling like I was in someone else's story. "Ladies and gentlemen," my father announced, raising his glass from the stage. "Today, we celebrate our Gloria's coming-of-age." The hall erupted in applause. "From this day forward," my father continued, "I officially pass my command of the pack's warrior guard to Gloria. She is more qualified than anyone to be the next Head Beta." What? I froze. Head Beta of the pack. That position was meant to be passed down through the bloodline. "Father, I can't," Gloria said softly, though her eyes shone with pride. "Hazel is your real daughter…" "Nonsense," my mother interrupted immediately. "You are our real daughter. What does blood matter? You were the one who stood by us all these years!" The guests around me nodded in agreement. I watched the scene unfold, and the last shred of hope in my heart died. Then, Fabian stepped onto the stage. He held a crest carved from moonstone, pulsing with a powerful protective rune. "The Northern Wardstone!" someone gasped. It was the pack's highest honor, given only to the bravest, most trusted warrior, symbolizing the power to guard the pack's defensive wards. "Gloria," Fabian's voice was a low, mesmerizing rumble. "From now on, you will stand with me as a guardian of the Northern Ward. I place my trust in you." He pinned the stone to her chest himself. It rested against her gown, a perfect match for her pure image. "Fabian, I can't accept this," Gloria demurred, but her eyes were filled with joy. "This responsibility is too great, and Hazel…" "You are the new Head Beta. No one is more deserving," Fabian said gently. "This belongs to you." The hall exploded with cheers and blessings. I watched them on stage, embracing under the adoration of the crowd, like a prince and princess from a fairytale. This was it. My only chance. While every eye was on their perfect princess, I melted into the shadows and slipped away towards the Alpha's house. Relying on muscle memory, I easily avoided the patrols and slipped into Fabian's study. Behind a bookshelf, in a hidden compartment, I found a box made of moonstone. I opened it. A tear-shaped gem, glowing with a soft light, lay on a bed of velvet. The Moon Goddess's Tear. I clutched it in my hand, but just as I was about to leave, I heard footsteps and hushed laughter outside the door. It was Fabian and Gloria. My heart hammered against my ribs. I dove behind the heavy curtains. "I've waited so long for this," Fabian breathed heavily, pinning Gloria against the wall. "Do you have any idea how jealous I get watching you talk to other men?" "What about Hazel?" Gloria's voice was unsteady. "She's your fated mate…" "She's a joke the Moon Goddess played on me," Fabian sneered, his hand stroking her face. "My wolf only howls for you. Always." I stopped breathing. "Did she really think all her little sacrifices would make you love her? Pathetic," Gloria said, baiting him. "She almost died in Shadow Creek Valley last night, and you didn't even go see her." "Why would I?" Fabian's voice was cold, cruel. "Honestly? My life would be simpler if she just died. Then I'd finally be free of her." The words stabbed into my heart like poison needles. I gripped the cold Moon Goddess's Tear in my hand, my nails digging into my palm. Just then, a massive explosion ripped through the northern end of the pack lands, shaking the very ground beneath us. The piercing shriek of an alarm shattered the night. "Dammit!" Fabian swore, his face instantly grim. "The northern wards." His eyes swept the room, sharp as a blade, passing right over the curtain I was hiding behind. I held my breath, my heart hammering in my chest. Don't see me, don't… Chapter 3 "The northern wards have been breached!" a guard yelled, bursting in with a pale face. "What?" Fabian's expression hardened as he bolted out the door, Gloria right behind him. I let out a shaky breath. There was no time to think about the knife twisting in my gut. This was my only chance to escape. I darted out from behind the curtain and ran. If I could just get out of the main house, I could take the Moon Goddess's Tear to the Elder. I was only borrowing it. Once the mate bond was broken, I could leave for good. But as I sprinted into the courtyard, I slammed straight into a hard chest. It was Fabian, rushing back in, carrying someone in his arms. The person was covered in blood. It was Gloria. The impact sent me stumbling, and the Moon Goddess's Tear flew from my hand. It clattered across the stone floor, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the sudden silence. "Healer!" Fabian roared, his eyes filled with panic and murder. "Save her, now!" "What happened?" my mother cried, rushing over and collapsing when she saw Gloria. "She was patrolling near the wards and got caught in the blast," Fabian's voice was like ice. "Someone deliberately sabotaged the wards. They're trying to kill us!" The healer scrambled to treat Gloria while everyone scanned the crowd for the culprit. But then she weakly opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto me, then shifting in horror to the gem at my feet. "Sister," she whimpered, her voice a pathetic whisper. "Where were you? I... I thought I felt you near the wards... And... is that... the Moon Goddess's Tear? The heart of our wards?" In an instant, every eye in the place was on me. A thousand daggers. "I…" I tried to explain, but the words wouldn't come. Fabian's second-in-command stepped forward, picked up the Moon Goddess's Tear, and then produced another object—a black, jagged stone. "Alpha," he said, his voice grave. "We found this at the breach." He held up a jagged, black demon stone. "It has Luna Hazel's spiritual signature all over it. What's more, the theft of the Moon Goddess's Tear is the direct cause of the ward's failure!" Dead silence. Then, an explosion of hisses and curses. "Oh my gods! It really was her!" "She stole the artifact and destroyed the wards! Why would she betray the pack?" "And she's supposed to be our Luna? She's a traitor!" I stared blankly, my mind a void. "I didn't do it!" I cried out, my voice raw. "I only took the Tear to sever the bond! I never touched the wards!" "Still lying!" My mother's hand cracked across my face. "Enough." A low voice cut through the noise. Fabian walked slowly toward me. He gently handed the "injured" Gloria to the healer. Then, his Alpha aura slammed into me, knocking me back. His eyes held no anger, no disappointment. Only pure disgust and contempt. "Hazel," his voice was dangerously low, colder than a winter grave. "I always knew you were pathetic. I just never realized you were this vile." He strode forward. He reached out, not to help me up, but to grab my jaw, forcing my head up to meet his gaze. "Tell me, what did I ever deny you? Was the title of Luna not enough? Was hurting me not enough? Did you have to drag Gloria and the entire pack into your petty revenge?" His nails dug into my skin. I looked at his face, so close to mine. The face I once loved enough to die for was now twisted with revulsion for me. Maybe I would never get to leave. The strain on my failing mate bond sent a sharp pain through my chest. But nothing hurt more than the contempt from my own fated mate. A laugh bubbled up out of my chest, raw and broken. "You're laughing? You dare to laugh?" My smile enraged him, and his grip tightened. I met his icy gaze, my voice clear and steady. "Of course I'm laughing. Because I've just realized something…" Then I said, each word a shard of ice, "Betraying you... is the smartest thing I've ever done." Chapter 4 The moment the words left my mouth, the disgust in Fabian's eyes erupted into pure rage. "It seems the Silver Room is the only place fit for a traitor like you!" He shoved me away, and I stumbled, nearly falling. "You wanted to break our mate bond? If you make it out of the Silver Room alive, you'll get your wish." My father's face was ashen. He pointed a trembling finger at me. "You have brought nothing but shame to our family! For the honor of this pack, I must punish this betrayal!" He turned to the captain of the guard, his voice like thunder. "Lock her in the Silver Room! Three days! Until she atones for her treason!" My blood ran cold. The Silver Room. It was a torture chamber lined with every werewolf's hell. For a second, I thought about just letting go, letting myself die. But then I thought of New Moon City, of the hope I still had to escape, and I tried to defend myself one last time. "Wait! Taking the Tear was my fault, but the wards had nothing to do with me…" Before I could finish, two guards grabbed my arms. "Scared now? It's too late!" my mother sneered. "Please, wait," Gloria pleaded weakly. "Isn't three days too harsh? Sister was just injured…" "She needs to learn the meaning of shame and loyalty!" my father roared. "A month wouldn't be enough!" I was dragged out of the hall. Guests scrambled to get out of my way, as if I carried a plague. "Let go of me! I'll walk myself!" I struggled. The guards hauled me down a long corridor, deep into the dungeons. The Silver Room was tiny, maybe two square meters. The walls were covered in a dense pattern of silver nails, chains, and crosses. The air shimmered with the cold, metallic gleam of silver. "Get in!" one guard grunted, shoving me inside. CLANG! The iron door slammed shut. Darkness swallowed me whole. I tried to sit carefully against the door, but my back brushed against the silver studs on the wall. "Argh—!" Searing pain exploded through me. My skin sizzled, my very blood felt like it was boiling. It was the unique agony only silver can inflict on a wolf. I lurched forward, but in this cramped space, there was nowhere to go. Everywhere was silver. Every movement was a fresh burn. Every breath was agony. An hour passed. Then two. The silver continued to scorch my skin. My dress was burned through, and my flesh began to blister. First sweat. Then violent shivers. Then my lungs burned for air. "Help me…" I whispered, weakly banging on the iron door. "Anyone… I need water… please…" No response. "I was wrong… I'm sorry… please, just let me out…" Still, only silence. My voice grew hoarse. My palms were raw and bleeding from pounding on the door. "Mom… please… I'm your daughter… please…" For the first time, I begged so humbly, so desperately. But no one answered. I don't know how long it was before I finally heard footsteps outside. "Sister? Are you still alive in there?" It was Gloria's sweet voice. "Gloria!" I gasped, clinging to the sound like a lifeline. "Help me… I'm dying… Please, tell them to let me out…" "Oh, that does sound painful," her voice was laced with fake sympathy. "The silver burns, doesn't it?" "Please… I'll do anything… Just let me out…" "But you're a traitor," she cooed, her voice dripping poison disguised as pity. "This is what you deserve." "I didn't! You framed me!" "Proof?" her voice sharpened. "Everyone saw your scent signature on the ward-breaker stone. What proof do you have that it was me?" I sagged against the cold iron door, the burn on my back a constant reminder of my helplessness. She was right. I had no proof. "And even if I did frame you, so what?" Her voice turned venomous. "Who's going to believe a traitor? Who's going to stand up to me for a piece of trash like you?" "Why are you doing this to me?" I sobbed. "What did I ever do to you?" "Because I despise everything about you," she hissed, her voice pure venom. "I hate that you exist. I hate that you carry his mark. I hate that you breathe the same air as the man who should be mine." "But you can't change blood…" "Blood means nothing," she sneered. "Look at us now. Who looks more like their daughter? You, whining in the Silver Room? Or me, being pampered outside?" She was right. Even as their trueborn, they loved her more. "Oh, by the way, I have something to show you," she said excitedly. "I promise you'll love it." She held her communicator up to the small slit in the door. The screen showed a cozy scene. Fabian was lying in bed, with Gloria curled up in his arms. "You've had such a rough night," Fabian murmured, stroking her hair. "It's all that woman's fault. I'm sorry you were frightened." "It's okay," Gloria cooed. "As long as you're here, I'm not afraid of anything." "My sweet girl," Fabian whispered, kissing her forehead. "I'll never let anyone hurt you again. Including her." "Fabian, will you love me forever?" "Of course," his voice was so deep, so tender. "You're my one and only. My wolf howls only for you. Always." They started kissing then, a deep, passionate kiss. Like true lovers. I watched it all, thinking of the 100 things in my journal. Thinking of how I was once willing to die for just one kind glance from him. Thinking of how I believed that if I just tried hard enough, I could earn his love. "See?" Gloria said smugly, putting her device away. "That's how much he loves me. And you? You're nothing." Her voice became even crueler. "Oh, and Fabian? He just told me he hopes you rot in here. That way, he'll never have to see your pathetic face again." Every word was a knife, carving up my heart. "And your parents," she continued. "They were just saying how they wish you'd never come back. That way, they wouldn't have such a shameful daughter." I huddled in the corner, tears streaming down my face. But strangely, after the searing pain, a sense of relief washed over me. I remembered a line from my journal, written on a day I felt completely hopeless: "If my wolf ever stops responding to you, it's because my heart has died." My heart was dead now. The wolf inside me, the one that had howled for him, was silent. It was dead. The girl who begged for her parents' love was dead. The fool who thought she could earn a monster's heart was dead. "Not talking anymore?" Gloria taunted, kicking the door. "Feeling hopeless? Full of regret?" I let out a dry, rattling laugh. "Thank you," I rasped. Gloria recoiled. "What?" "Thank you," I repeated, my voice clear despite the pain. "For finally setting me free." "Are you insane?" I didn't answer. I just closed my eyes. The silver still burned, but my mind was clearer than ever. I was just glad I didn't have to do it anymore. Glad I didn't love him anymore. "What are you playing at?" Gloria yelled, kicking the door again. "You're just a piece of trash that everyone's thrown away!" Her voice faded as she walked away. I was alone in the dark again, my consciousness slowly slipping away. Just as I thought I was about to die, I heard the hushed voices of two guards outside my door. "Such a pity. But she destroyed the pack's wards. She deserves it." "Shh… keep your voice down. I heard the Alpha already gave the order. If she doesn't confess to 'sabotaging the wards' in three days…" "What happens then? Life in the dungeons?" "Worse," the second guard whispered. "They're going to execute her at sunrise." Chapter 5 Three days later, the door to the Silver Room finally opened. The blinding light made me flinch. My skin was a mess of burns from the silver, each one a reminder of the hell I’d just endured. A guard stared at me, his face blank, as I crawled out. "Time's up," the lead guard said coldly. "The Alpha wants to see you." I staggered to my feet, every wound screaming in protest. I wasn't taken back to my rooms. I was escorted directly to the Alpha's main house. Fabian was standing by the window. He didn't even turn to look at me. "Have you made up your mind?" His voice was colder than the Silver Room. "Confess, and I might show mercy. Refuse, and you'll sacrifice your power to the wards. This is your last chance." I bit my lip, my body trembling with pain and rage, but I said nothing. "Fine," he said with a slight laugh. "Perhaps seeing her family will bring her to her senses." I was brought to the dining hall. The long table was laden with a feast, all for Gloria. Golden roasted venison, fragrant fish soup, crystal-clear honey, and blood-red moonberries. My portion was a bowl of watery gruel. " Gloria, you're still weak," my mother said with fake concern. "You should only eat something light." Gloria sat at the head of the table while Fabian served her himself. "This venison is perfect, my love. Try some," he murmured, his voice a soft caress as he placed the tenderest cut on her plate. "And I had this soup made just for you. It's good for your recovery." I silently ate my tasteless porridge. It tasted like my life. "Sister, why aren't you talking?" Gloria asked with concern. "If you just apologize to Fabian, I'm sure he'll forgive you." Her words were poison, each one a little push toward a confession for a crime I didn't commit. I lifted my bowl and took a sip. Strange. The soup had a bitter taste. "This soup is…?" "What's wrong with it?" my mother asked. "Nothing." I shook my head and kept eating. But a few minutes later, I started to feel dizzy. My limbs grew heavy, my blood felt sluggish, and it became hard to breathe. I knew this feeling. Wolfsbane. An herb that could paralyze a werewolf's system. I looked at Gloria in shock. She was busy talking to Fabian, but a flicker of triumph crossed her eyes. I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't work. "Not feeling well?" Gloria asked, feigning surprise. "You look a little pale." I opened my mouth to speak, but my tongue was numb. Just then, Gloria "accidentally" knocked over her soup bowl. The scalding liquid splashed directly onto my arm. A scream tore from my lips. This wasn't just hot soup. It was laced with liquid silver. My skin sizzled, the smell of burning flesh filling the air. I fell from my chair, writhing on the floor in pain. "Oh my gods! Gloria!" Fabian rushed over in an instant. Not to me, but to Gloria. "Did you get burned?" he asked, anxiously checking her hands. "I'm fine, my hand is just a little red," Gloria said, her eyes welling with tears. "It's all my fault, I'm so clumsy…" "It's not your fault," Fabian said, kissing her fingers. "I'll have the healer look at it right away." He scooped Gloria into his arms as if she were made of porcelain. As he strode past, he shot me a look of pure disgust. "You still haven't learned your lesson," he warned, his voice dripping ice. "The execution is still on." Then they were gone. Leaving me alone on the cold floor, the silver-laced soup continuing to eat away at my skin. My parents followed them out, not sparing me a single glance. I don't know how long I lay there before a young healer finally arrived. "Gods, you're so badly burned!" he gasped. "Any later and the wolfsbane would have stopped your heart!" He quickly tended to my wounds, injecting me with an antidote. "Who gave you wolfsbane?" he asked angrily. "This poison is enough to kill a werewolf!" I didn't answer. It wouldn't have mattered. As the healer finished treating me, his expression grew more and more serious. He checked my pulse again and again, studying the color of the blood around my wounds, his brow furrowed. "Strange…" he muttered. "What is it?" I asked weakly. He looked up, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and awe. "When I was cleansing the silver poison, I had to probe your wolf soul… Gods, I have never encountered a soul so pure, so powerful." I stared at him, confused. The healer took a shaky breath, his voice trembling with awe and terror. "You don't understand. Your soul... it's the purest I have ever seen. For them to do this to you... they're not just punishing you. They're digging their own graves." He looked at me, his eyes wide with horror. "You must escape now! They're trying to rip the soul out of this pack, and they're going to burn us all to the ground." Chapter 6 The healer pressed a new communicator into my hand and left quickly. I lay alone on the simple cot, my wounds throbbing. The silver poison was gone, but the burns would take a long time to heal. Just then, the new communicator buzzed. It was someone I'd mentioned in my journal. Elder Samuel. He was one of the most respected elders in the pack, retired from active duty two years ago, rarely involving himself in pack affairs. I hesitated, then answered. "Child, are you alright?" The Elder's old, kind voice came through the speaker, full of concern. "I heard what happened. Where are you now?" "In the medical tent," I answered weakly. "I'm on my way." "No, Elder, you don't have to. I'm fine…" "Nonsense!" he snapped. "You were poisoned with silver, and you call that 'fine'?" The line went dead. Half an hour later, Elder Samuel appeared at the tent flap. He was a tall, old man with a full head of white hair, but his eyes were still sharp. When he saw the burns on my body, a look of pain crossed his face. "My child," he said, sitting by my bed. "Who did this to you?" "No one. It was an accident…" "An accident?" the Elder scoffed. "Wolf's Blight accidentally appears in your porridge? Liquid silver accidentally splashes on you?" I stared at him in shock. "How did you know…?" "The healer told me," the Elder said, his voice filled with rage. "Hazel, just how much have you suffered these past two years?" I said nothing. "I know about the things you did for Fabian," the Elder said, his voice full of sorrow. "Sneaking into the Blazefire pack to steal their manual, settling the land dispute in the eastern territories for him, finding the lost Moon Goddess totem on a stormy night…" Tears suddenly streamed down my face. Someone remembered. Someone knew what I had done. "And that time his power went wild," the Elder continued. "You watched over him for three days and three nights, nearly draining your own life force. The healer said if you'd been a moment later, you would have died right there." "But when he woke up, the first thing he asked was where Gloria was." I covered my face, unable to stop the tears. "Child, you deserve better," the Elder said, taking my hand. "I will see justice done," he vowed, his voice ringing with authority. "By the Moon Goddess, this will not stand." "Don't, Elder," I shook my head. "I don't want to fight about this anymore." "No, I must," the Elder said firmly. "As an elder of this pack, it is my duty to protect every child who is wronged. I will call a council meeting tomorrow…" His communicator suddenly buzzed, interrupting him. I glanced at it. The call had ended. But just then, the tent flap was violently thrown open. Fabian stormed in, his face dark and furious. "Crying again?" he sneered at me. "Is it fun, running to the Elder to complain?" "Fabian, how dare you speak to her like that?" Elder Samuel stood up angrily. "She is the victim here!" "Victim?" Fabian laughed coldly. "She betrayed the pack. She deserved to be punished. Now she's playing the pity card again. Pathetic." "She was nearly poisoned to death!" the Elder roared. "She was careless," Fabian said dismissively. "Gloria was burned too. Did she complain?" I looked at him. This man I once loved so deeply. His eyes held no concern, only disgust and impatience. "I didn't complain to the Elder," I said weakly. "He contacted me." "Oh, really?" Fabian stepped closer to the bed, looking down at me. "Then what were you two talking about?" "He was asking about my injuries." "Asking?" Fabian's eyes grew colder. "Do you need that? I thought you were so tough." I looked at him and suddenly realized something. He had no idea what I had done for him. Those 100 things were probably just things he took for granted, things he didn't even notice. "Do you even know what I've done for you?" I asked. "Done for me?" he sneered. "Besides being a constant, clinging shadow, what exactly have you accomplished?" Elder Samuel looked at him, shocked. "You don't know that she—" "Enough!" Fabian cut him off. "I don't want to hear this nonsense." Just then, his own communicator rang. I saw Gloria's name on the screen. He answered instantly, his voice softening. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" "My hand still hurts…" Gloria's weak voice came through. "I'll be right there," Fabian said gently. "Put some ice on it for now. I'll bring you a better healing balm." "Okay. Hurry back. I'm scared…" "Don't be scared. I'm always here for you." His face was a mask of worry and affection the entire time. After he hung up, he turned to leave. "Wait," Elder Samuel called out. "You're just leaving? You're not even going to check on her injuries?" "She's not dying," Fabian said, his voice flat as he walked away. "Gloria needs me." He disappeared through the tent flap. Elder Samuel clenched his fists in anger. "That bastard! I'm going to…" "Let it go, Elder," I said weakly. "Let him go." "No! I cannot tolerate this injustice!" "It really doesn't matter anymore," I said, looking at the moon outside the tent. "I don't care anymore." Tears slid down my cheeks. Elder Samuel gripped my arm, his gaze firm. "Don't you worry. I will handle the Alpha. And once you're healed, I'm getting you out of here." Chapter 7 Three days later, I was woken by a frantic knocking at my door. My wounds weren't fully healed, but I could walk again. I opened the door to see my anxious parents and a panicked-looking Fabian. "Gloria is sick!" my mother cried, rushing into the room. "She's dying!" "What?" "It's a wasting curse," my father said, his voice trembling. "Someone put a vile curse on her. Her life force is draining away." I followed them to Gloria's room. She lay in bed, pale as a sheet, her breathing so shallow it was almost imperceptible. A circle of healers and mages stood around her, all of them looking hopeless. "How did this happen?" I asked, shocked. "It must be an enemy pack," Fabian snarled. "They're trying to weaken us by hurting her." The oldest and most powerful shaman stepped forward, his expression grave. "The curse has taken root in her bloodline. Normal methods won't work." "Then how can we save her?" Fabian demanded. The shaman was silent for a moment. "There is only one way. It requires a blood-kin to share their wolf's spirit to purge the curse." "Blood-kin?" "Yes. It must be a direct blood relative," the shaman said, looking at me. "Only Hazel can save her." All eyes in the room turned to me. "Me?" "You are her only blood-sister," my father said. "Only your wolf's spirit can resonate with hers." "But…" I hesitated. "The ritual could kill me," I said, my voice shaking but firm. "I won't do it." "So what?" my mother shrieked. "She's your sister! Are you just going to stand there and watch her die?" "I'm not saying I won't help, it's just that this ritual…" "Enough!" Fabian cut me off, his voice raw with fury. "You're still trying to bargain at a time like this?" "I'm not bargaining, I'm just considering the risks…" "Risks?" he leaned in, his voice a low growl that vibrated in my bones. "Is your pathetic life more important than hers?" The words were a dagger to my heart. "Fabian, you can't say that…" "Why can't I?" he advanced on me, his eyes full of menace. "She's lying there on the brink of death, and you're here weighing your options?" "I'm not weighing my options!" "Then what are you waiting for?" my father roared. "Do the ritual! Now!" "I refuse." Three words. The room fell into a dead silence. "What did you say?" my mother stared at me in disbelief. "I said, I refuse," I repeated. "Sacrificing my wolf's spirit could kill me. I'm not willing to take that risk." "You selfish, wicked girl!" My mother lunged, trying to slap me. I stepped back, dodging her hand. "I'm not being selfish. I'm trying to stay alive." "She's your sister!" my father bellowed. "She's your adopted daughter," I corrected him. "And I'm your real one. Why do I always have to be the one to sacrifice for her?" A dangerous light flared in Fabian's eyes. "Are you sure you want to refuse?" "Yes." In the next second, the Alpha's Command slammed into me—a crushing, invisible weight that buckled my knees and stole the air from my lungs. "I'll ask you one more time," Fabian's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "Will you save her?" "I…" The pressure made it almost impossible to speak. "I… won't…" The pressure doubled. I finally crumpled to the floor, my body shaking uncontrollably. "Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way," Fabian said coldly. "Guards, take her to the altar." "No!" I struggled to get up. "You can't force me!" Several guards rushed in and seized my arms. "Let go of me! This is against pack law!" "Law?" Fabian laughed mockingly. "Who's going to side with a selfish traitor against me?" He leaned down, whispering in my ear. "You've always been desperate for my touch, haven't you? Do this one thing for me, and I'll make it less painful." I stared at him in horror. This was the man I once loved? "In your dreams." "Fine," he straightened up, his eyes full of cruelty. "Then we'll do it the most painful way possible." I was dragged out of the room and hauled toward the ancient altar in the center of the pack grounds. The pack members along the way just stared, not one of them speaking up for me. "Look, it's that traitor, Hazel." "I heard she refused to save Gloria." "So selfish. Won't even save her own sister." "She deserves whatever she gets." The altar glowed eerily in the moonlight. It was covered in ancient runes, with a silver ritual circle in the center. The old shaman was already waiting, holding various ritual tools. "Begin," Fabian commanded. "No! Please, don't do this!" I struggled wildly. "I'll die!" "That was your choice," my father said heartlessly. "If you had agreed from the start, it wouldn't have to be this painful." I was forced onto the altar. Silver chains clamped around my wrists and ankles. The shaman began chanting in an ancient tongue. A strange, dark energy filled the air. "Begin the separation," he said, raising a silver ritual knife. The blade didn't cut my skin. It plunged through me, a shard of pure agony, stabbing not my flesh, but my very soul. "Ahhhhh—!" An agony beyond words ripped through me. I felt my wolf spirit being shredded, ripped from my soul fiber by fiber. It was an agony beyond the flesh, a spiritual dismemberment. "Stop! Please, stop!" But no one listened. Fabian just stood there, watching, his eyes cold and empty of pity. As more of my spirit was torn away, I felt myself dying. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, a deafening SNAP echoed not in the air, but in my very soul. The invisible chain that bound me to him—the cursed mate bond—snapped. Instantly, a strange sense of relief washed over me. The ritual continued, but I felt an incredible lightness. Like a chain I never knew was there had just been broken. Fabian suddenly staggered, his face going pale. He looked at his hands, his eyes filled with a dawning confusion and panic. I knew what had happened. The fated mate bond. It was broken. Completely and irrevocably broken. Chapter 8 The moment the ritual ended, a cheer went up from Gloria's room. "She's awake! She's awake!" "Gloria, how do you feel?" "It worked! The curse is gone!" I lay on the cold stone altar, feeling completely hollowed out. But strangely, I wasn't in pain. Instead, I felt a sense of freedom I'd never known. Like a bird caged for years, finally set free. "Fabian!" Gloria's weak but sweet voice carried across the square. Everyone, including my parents who had been watching over the ritual, rushed to her room. No one even glanced my way. I sat up, looking at the empty altar grounds. Alone in the moonlight. I tried to feel my inner wolf, but there was nothing there. I was no longer a whole werewolf. But I was also no longer Fabian's mate. The memories of my past life came flooding back. But the invisible chain that had bound me for two years was finally, completely gone. I climbed off the altar, trembling, each step like walking on knives. Back in my quarters, I grabbed the encrypted communicator. "Elder," I said, my voice weak but steady. "It's me." "Child! Where are you? I heard about the ritual!" Elder Samuel's voice was filled with fury. "I'm in my quarters. Elder, you said if I needed help…" "Of course! I've already arranged everything," his voice softened. "In one hour, someone will be waiting for you at the north gate. A black SUV." "Thank you." "Don't thank me, child. You never should have had to endure any of this." I hung up and started packing. There wasn't much to pack. This had never been my home. I found a small backpack and threw in a few changes of clothes. Then I saw the journal. I picked it up and flipped to the last page. Below "Task 101: Leave him. Reclaim myself," I added one more line: "Mission complete." I tossed the journal into the fireplace. The girl who wrote it had died in the Silver Room. This was her funeral. An hour later, I dragged my weak body to the north gate. The pack was quiet, everyone celebrating Gloria's recovery. At the north gate, a black SUV was waiting silently. The driver, a middle-aged man, nodded at me. "Miss Hazel?" "Yes." "Please, get in. Elder Samuel said you need to go to a neutral city?" "Yes. New Moon City." I climbed into the back. The car door clicked shut behind me, the sound as final as a coffin lid closing. The engine started, and the vehicle moved slowly toward the pack border. The SUV drove through the forest, passing through one magical ward after another. I leaned against the window, watching the trees fly by. Further and further away. Finally, the vehicle passed the last ward. I didn't look back. The place that had been my prison for two years was fading into the darkness. My parents were there. My pack was there. The man I once loved was there. But starting tonight, none of it had anything to do with me. I turned my head and looked at the endless road ahead. At the end of that darkness was a new world. A world where no one knew me. A world where I could start again. "Goodbye, Fabian," I whispered to the night. "And goodbye to the fool who loved you."