The Unwanted Mate

On the day she miscarried because her mate chose his ex, Rae's wolf went completely dormant from the trauma. That killed every ounce of love she had left for him. She was done playing his pathetic doormat. No more running his family's empire. No more grilling him about staying out all night. He left her locked in a freezing pack holding cell for nine whole days. Why? To baby-sit his childhood sweetheart through a "full moon panic attack" in a luxury mansion. Rae didn't cry. She didn't scream. She didn't even bother making a phone call. Then came day ten. Colton finally rolled up in his custom black Cadillac. He looked down at her with those golden wolf eyes, calling her dramatic. Rae just pulled her designer coat tight around herself, smiled, and told him: She completely understood, and she would never make a scene again. Chapter 1 The moment the cell door swung open, damp, freezing air rushed in. Rae pulled her designer coat close and stepped down the stairs in her heels. Nine whole days without a single ray of sunlight in the pack cell, yet her face was dead calm. She looked like she had just checked out of a hotel. A custom black stretch Cadillac was idling by the curb. The window rolled down, revealing Colton's sharp, rugged face. "Get in," he rasped, his dark eyes locked on her, fists tight around the steering wheel. "Still so stubborn. It's cold and damp in there, and you haven't even recovered. Why are you acting tough?" Rae silently got into the back seat. Once, a bit of hidden care behind his tough act would have made her heart flutter. Now, her wolf was completely dead inside, giving zero response. "My phone was off because Tessa had a panic attack during the full moon," Colton frowned, his voice full of casual arrogance as she stayed quiet. "She needed my pheromones to calm down. Rae, you're a mature Luna. Stop throwing tantrums over little things." "I understand," Rae smiled out the window, her voice gentle. "You did the right thing." She had lost her baby. The second she stepped out of the hospital, pack guards grabbed her on the street, accusing her of being a wanted fraud. She tried to explain, but they said they needed her next of kin to prove her identity. Who was closer to her than her husband? Rae didn't think twice and called Colton. Three hours, one hundred and ninety-nine missed calls, zero answers. Even the guard laughed in her face. "If you're gonna lie, pick someone who actually cares. He clearly blocked you." Rae had been fighting them off, but the moment she heard that, she went completely still. And then, she spent nine days in that cell. Seeing no reaction from her, Colton's fingers froze on the steering wheel. He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of uneasy panic crossing his face. Usually, Rae would be screaming at him, asking why he left her alone in a cold cell for nine days. "Rae, cut the act," Colton slammed on the brakes, pulling over and glaring at her. "You think silent treatment will make me bow down? I told you, Tessa and I are just like brother and sister. How long are you gonna hold this grudge?" Rae met his golden wolf eyes, genuinely confused by his reaction. "Colton, I'm not holding a grudge," she said softly. "I really think you being there for her makes total sense." Her answer hit him like a punch into thin air. Colton's eyes turned aggressive, his Alpha aura trying to crush her mind, only to get bounced right off her dormant wolf. Just then, the car Bluetooth rang. "Tessa" flashed on the screen. Colton glanced at Rae and hit answer. "Colton..." Tessa's sobby, needy voice filled the car. "I'm so scared, my panic attack is back... Didn't you say you were picking me up? If you don't come, I'll go get smashed at a bar alone. Nobody cares if I live or die anyway..." "Tessa, don't do anything stupid! Do you know how dangerous those places are?!" Colton's face dropped, panic and worry instantly spilling out. "I'm picking up Rae right now. Stay in the mansion, I'm coming!" Hanging up, Colton looked at Rae through the rearview mirror, his tone harsh and bossy: "Tessa has an emergency, I have to go. I'm dropping you here. Grab a cab back, got it?" In the past, this would have crushed her pride completely. This time, before he even finished, Rae unbuckled her seatbelt. A sharp click echoed. Rae pushed the door open, stepped out gracefully, and shut it behind her. "Drive safe. Don't keep her waiting," Rae smiled through the window, waving goodbye. Colton stared at her, completely stunned that she didn't question him at all. A surge of random rage and panic rose inside him, but he stomped on the gas anyway. The Cadillac roared off, splashing cold water all over her. Rae stood on the freezing street, pulled her coat tight, and ordered a ride. In the back seat, her phone screen lit up with an encrypted email from the North American Werewolf Council. Rae tapped it open. It read: [Ms. Rae Sterling: Your transfer request to the London branch as Chief Risk Officer is officially approved. Please finish your handover within three days.] Rae scrolled down to the attached legal document, stamped and legally binding. It was the agreement she signed the very day she applied for the transfer—The Mate Bond Dissolution Agreement. Rae locked her phone and watched the city lights blur past the window. She thought to herself: She didn't need an Alpha anymore. Chapter 2 The backseat of the taxi was dead silent except for the rhythmic scraping of the windshield wipers. Her phone buzzed again. An encrypted call popped up. "Rae, this is the Council Director," a solemn, cold voice said from the other end. "The Mate Bond Dissolution Agreement is in its final review. You need to confirm one last time. Once the process starts, you will lose your mate bond with Alpha Colton of the Silver Crest Pack forever. Are you sure you won't reconsider?" Rae looked at the blurry neon lights outside, her voice without a trace of hesitation. "I'm sure. I'm not turning back." "Alright. We will pick you up in three days." Hanging up, Rae leaned back against the seat, completely exhausted. Eight years ago, nineteen-year-old Rae fell in love with Colton at first sight at a werewolf gala. He was a high-and-mighty Alpha, and she was just a fiercely ambitious actuary trying to make a name for herself. Back then, Colton only had eyes for Tessa, a spoiled high-society heiress. It wasn't until Tessa tore up her engagement with him for the sixth time and flew off to Paris that Colton was forced by his family to find a replacement. To stand by his side, Rae put on a gown in Tessa's favorite shade, swallowed all her pride, and willingly became his obedient substitute. In their four years of marriage, she hid her sharp edges, running his family's business empire and enduring his cold stares, all hoping to melt the ice in his heart. Until two months ago, when she was four months pregnant. Tessa suddenly barged into the mansion, smashed a tea set right in front of Colton, and screamed, falsely accusing Rae of pushing her. "Rae! How dare you hurt her!" Furious, Colton instantly released a violent, suffocating wave of Alpha aura. He didn't even give Rae a single second to explain. He grabbed her wrist and threw her into the underground panic room. The heavy metal door locked tight behind her. The crushing pressure and freezing air left in the room squeezed Rae's fragile body. She clutched her swollen belly and collapsed onto the cold concrete floor. Sharp, unbearable cramps swept through her, and blood instantly stained her white dress red. "Colton! Open the door! Save the baby..." Rae slammed on the heavy blast door with all her strength. Her desperate cries echoed through the dead space, getting zero answer. Outside, there was only his gentle voice comforting Tessa, followed by fading footsteps. Through hours of agonizing pain and despair, her baby's heart stopped beating. Her wolf whimpered in pure agony, then shut down all senses to protect itself, falling into an irreversible, deep sleep. When paramedics pried the door open and carried her out, she was covered in blood from the waist down. After three days in the ICU, she barely survived, but her ability to love was gone forever. On the day she was discharged, Colton didn't even show up. Rae's phone just popped up with a bank transfer alert. He had his assistant send her a massive sum of money with a cold note attached: [Buy yourself some supplements. Tessa was terrified, so I took her to Europe to clear her head.] Sitting in the taxi, Rae looked at the faded needle marks on her fingertips. A single tear slipped down her cheek. She was almost confused by her own reaction. What was this? Why was she crying? Ever since her wolf fell dormant, her emotions had become nothing more than physical reflexes. I guess this is what sorrow feels like... "Ma'am, we're here," the driver said, bringing the car to a stop. Rae opened the door and stepped into the rain at Silver Moon Manor. The second she walked into the foyer, a pair of red high heels that didn't belong to her caught her eye. On the living room couch, Tessa was wearing Rae's silk robe, curled up tight in Colton's arms. Colton was holding a spoon, patiently feeding her warm soup. Seeing Rae walk in, Tessa smirked with pure provocation and pulled the robe tight around herself with a soft whine: "Rae, you're finally back? Sorry about this, it's raining so hard tonight, and Colton insisted I stay over." Chapter 3 Rae didn't even give them a second look. She hung her soaked coat on the rack. "The guest rooms are empty. Pick whichever one you want," her voice was dead flat. She walked straight past them toward the stairs. Colton froze, spoon mid-air. A flash of pain hit his eyes. He shot up from the couch and rushed up the steps, blocking her path. "Rae, it's pouring outside. Tessa just came to check on my cat here. Do you have to be so cold to me?" "I'm just helping you host your guest," Rae stepped sideways to dodge his touch. "I'm going to the study to pack some private files. Help yourselves." Colton glared at her, fists clenched tight. Her calm face felt like a series of invisible slaps, sending him into a panic. But he forced his anger down, turning around to head to the third-floor command center to handle pack business. Rae entered the study and started gathering audit files and equity documents. "This room is mine from now on." Tessa leaned against the doorway, holding her million-dollar Persian cat, Duchess. She walked in on her high heels, her eyes vicious. "Rae, you think holding onto the Luna title means anything? Colton loves me! Your brat is gone, so how are you gonna fight me now?" Rae didn't even look up, packing documents into a folder. "Are you done? If you are, get out." Her total disregard set Tessa off. She squeezed the cat tight, making the startled Persian screech! "Go to hell, you bitch!" Tessa's eyes flashed with malice. She swatted the cat's rear, launching the claws-out Persian straight at Rae's face! Rae raised her arm to block it by instinct. Sharp claws ripped into her wrist, tearing open three bloody gashes. Blood gushed out, staining the files on her desk red. "Shred her face!" Tessa shrieked like a demon. Rae fought the agonizing pain, stepping on the leash to kick the cat away. She looked up, her eyes icy cold. "Tessa, 4K HD cameras are installed all over the mansion's common areas. Including you throwing the cat to attack me just now. It's already uploaded to the Council cloud." Tessa's face turned ghost-white. She took a step back. "Unless you want the Council to strip your noble status, get out now," Rae held her bleeding wrist, her voice frozen like ice. Tessa grit her teeth, grabbed her cat, and slammed the door shut as she fled. Rae calmly pulled out a roll of gauze and wrapped her wrist tight. At two in the morning, the storm outside raged against the mansion. BOOM!! A loud explosion shattered the study windows. Thick smoke and roaring flames instantly rushed up from the first floor. Piercing alarms screamed through the manor, mixed with chaotic shouting. Rae opened the study door, met by a wave of scalding smoke. Clutching her injury, she tried to head down the emergency exit, only to be slammed to the floor by a panicking maid! "Ah!" Her forehead cracked against the steps. The world spun. Her wrist wound tore open again, blood pooling on the floor. "Rae!!" Colton's frantic roar cut through the smoke-filled hallway. He charged up the stairs through the haze, sparks burning holes in his clothes. His golden wolf eyes shook violently in the firelight. Seeing Rae on the floor, sheer terror erupted in his eyes. He sprinted toward her with everything he had: "Rae! Hold on! I'm saving you!" In that single moment, seeing him risk his life for her, Rae's dead heart twitched almost imperceptibly. But just as he reached her—one step away— "Meow!!" A faint screech came from the debris nearby. Colton stopped dead in his tracks. He snapped his head toward the edge of the fire, where Duchess the Persian cat was trapped. Colton's expression changed instantly. Pure instinct took over as he sprinted into the corner, grabbing the terrified cat and wrapping it tight inside his designer suit jacket. Holding the cat, he didn't give Rae—bleeding on the floor—a single glance. He turned around and rushed straight down the stairs. Flames swallowed the stairwell, stretching his retreating back into a cold, decisive shadow. Rae lay flat on the scorching floor, staring blankly at his back as he left with a cat. Right then, her lips pulled into a bitter, mocking smile. Turns out, to him, her life as his mate wasn't even worth as much as Tessa's pet. Chapter 4 Flames tore at Rae's skin. Scalding, thick smoke choked out the last bit of oxygen in her lungs. Dragging her bloodied body, she crawled onto the third-floor terrace and pushed open the fire door. Freezing rain hammered down on her, washing away the blood dripping from her forehead. Rae leaned against the third-floor railing and looked down. In the rain-drenched front yard, Colton burst through the flames, holding that Persian cat. Tessa, sobbing hysterically, threw herself into his arms and clung tight to his waist. Colton handed her the cat and pulled her close, comforting her with soft eyes full of concern. What a sweet couple, enduring life and death together. And Rae, his lawful mate, stood in the fire and rain three stories up—a tragic, pathetic spectator. The last spark of light in her eyes died. Her dormant wolf let out one final, agonizing whimper as it slipped away. She opened her fingers, releasing her grip on the railing, and fell straight down. CRASH!! The brutal impact tore through her bones with blinding pain. Rain mixed with her blood, spraying across the lawn. When she opened her eyes again, a sterile white ceiling met her vision, filled with the harsh smell of disinfectant. "Rae! You're awake?!" A raspy, panicked voice exploded beside her. Colton bolted up from the bedside. His gorgeous, proud face was pale and bloodshot, covered in fresh stubble. Fear and desperation bled out of his red eyes as he reached out to grab her hand. "Rae, how do you feel? Doctor! Call a doctor!" Rae stared at him, cold and detached. A split second before his fingers touched her, she pulled her hand away. Colton froze in mid-air. Tears welled up in his eyes, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry... Rae, I'm so sorry! The fire was too fast. I just wanted to grab the cat real quick. I didn't think you... Why did you jump from the third floor?!" "You were the only one up there! If you had stayed put, I would have come back for you right after saving the cat! How could you gamble with your life?! You almost died!" "If the pack hospital didn't have wolf medicine to heal you, do you think you'd be sitting here fine?!" His frantic questioning was laced with raw panic and fury. Rae looked at him quietly. No sorrow, no heartbreak—not a single flicker of emotion in her eyes. "Because I'm tired," Rae's voice was dry and scratchy, like sandpaper. "And I finally see things clearly." Colton's pupils shrank. His tall frame shuddered hard. "What did you see clearly?" "Colton, I expect nothing from you anymore." The words were soft, but they drove straight into his chest like a poisoned blade. Colton went deathly pale, veins bulging on his temples. He grabbed her by the shoulders and roared, "What do you mean, nothing?! I am your Alpha! Your husband! You carried my baby!" "The baby died a long time ago," Rae interrupted, her eyes dead quiet. "The day you locked me in the panic room for Tessa, you killed him with your own hands." "I..." Colton looked drained of every drop of energy. His lips quivered, unable to form a word. Right then, her phone rang loudly on the nightstand. "Tessa" flashed across the screen. Colton panicked and tried to decline the call, but his finger accidentally swiped to accept. "Colton... sob... I'm so scared..." Tessa wept hysterically over the speaker. "The mansion burned down... I'm alone at the hotel with an injured leg... Can you please come stay with me? Without your pheromones, I can barely breathe..." Colton gripped the phone tight, his eyes darting frantically between the screen and Rae. "Rae, Tessa is badly hurt, and she's emotionally unstable right now..." He lowered his voice, looking at her with a guilty, begging look. "I'll go handle this real quick. Wait for me. In a few days, I'll take you to visit your mother's grave myself, okay?" Hearing that familiar promise, Rae let out a soft laugh. "Colton, do you know what day it is today?" Rae stared at him, her eyes as cold as a corpse. Colton blinked, caught off guard. "What?" "Today is the anniversary of my mother's death," Rae said calmly. "And it's also the anniversary of Tessa's coming-of-age ceremony." Colton's face changed completely. "In the four years we've been bonded, every single year on this day, you used business trips as an excuse to fly to New York and celebrate with Tessa," Rae exposed every lie, tearing away his fake mask. "You never went to the cemetery with me once. This year, you don't have to pretend anymore." Colton felt like his mind blew wide open. Unprecedented terror and humiliation flooded his face. He tried to explain frantically, "No, Rae, listen to me! Back then, I just..." "Colton, your Tessa is waiting for you." Rae closed her eyes slowly, curling away from him without another word. Colton stood frozen by the bed. Hearing Tessa's shrill crying over the phone and looking at Rae's cold, unyielding back, he felt a wave of chaotic frustration rush through him. "Get some rest. I... I'll be back soon." He threw down those words and rushed out of the room in total panic. Hearing the door click shut, Rae opened her eyes and pulled a backup phone from under her pillow. The screen lit up with a fresh itinerary reminder: [Dear Ms. Rae, your private flight to London is ready. Departure is in exactly 48 hours.] Chapter 5 "Rae, are you out of your mind?! Checking yourself out before you're healed?!" The hospital door flew open, and Colton burst in holding a huge bouquet of white roses, his eyes filled with panic and rage. Rae didn't even glance at the flowers. She casually buttoned her designer coat with a dead calm face. "I'm not crazy. The doctor cleared me. Plus, I have things to do." "What could be more important than your health?!" Colton strode forward, reaching out to grab her shoulders, his voice laced with raw anxiety. "If it's about visiting your mother's grave... I cleared my entire schedule today. I'm coming with you!" In four years, this was the first time he ever offered to accompany her to the suburban cemetery. Rae looked up, her cold eyes fixing on his frantic face. "Suit yourself." After a fast drive, the car pulled up outside the quiet cemetery on the outskirts of town. A light rain drizzled from the sky. Colton opened a black umbrella, carefully holding it over Rae's head, terrified a single drop might touch her. In front of the headstone, Rae gently set down a bouquet of white lilies. She closed her eyes, her posture stiff and freezing cold. Looking at her slender profile, Colton felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. He grabbed her hand tight, his voice raspy. "Rae, I messed up in the past. I swear, from today on, I'll protect you. I'll never let you suffer again!" Hearing this heavy vow, Rae didn't even twitch an eyebrow. She passively let him hold her hand, her eyes completely dead inside, as if standing next to a total stranger. Leaving the cemetery, they drove straight into the city center. Colton booked the city's most luxurious Michelin rooftop restaurant, renting out the entire terrace. The table was covered in exquisite dishes. Flickering candlelight illuminated flowers flown in from overseas, while a live band played soft orchestral music in the corner. "This is your favorite lobster soup, and here's the truffle scrambled eggs," Colton served the plates with extreme care, his golden wolf eyes staring at her affectionately. "I wanted to bring you here on our anniversary four years ago, but work came up... I'm making it up to you today." He desperately hoped to see a spark of emotion or gratitude on her face. Rae simply picked up her fork, cut off a piece gracefully, and spoke in a flat tone: "Thank you. It tastes good." No surprise. No excitement. Not even a faint smile. Colton's knuckles turned white around his wine glass, his heart heavy and suffocating. Her calm demeanor was like a glass wall, shutting him out entirely. RING!! A sharp ringtone shattered the romantic atmosphere. Colton snapped his head up, frantically pulling out his phone. The name "Tessa" flashing on the screen was blinding in the dim candlelight. He glanced at Rae, panicking as he tried to reject the call. "Answer it," Rae wiped her lips with a napkin, her voice gentle. "What if it's an emergency?" Colton bit back a curse and swiped to accept, his voice low and strained: "Tessa, I'm having dinner. We'll talk later!" "Colton! Where the hell are you?!" Tessa's shrill voice screamed over the speaker. "Today is my birthday! You let me use your black card to rent out the whole floor at the Royal Hotel, but everyone is waiting for my date! How dare you ditch me?!" "Tessa, I have something extremely important to do today!" Colton growled under his breath, his eyes darting nervously toward Rae. "Enjoy your party. I'll have my assistant send a gift!" "I don't care! If you don't come right now, I'll drink myself to death! I'll let everyone laugh at me! Let's see what happens to me tonight without your protection!!" The sound of the phone slamming shut echoed loudly. Colton's face turned ghastly pale, veins popping on his forehead. He gripped his phone tight, pacing like a trapped animal. Rae watched his pathetic struggle with a trace of mockery in her eyes. "Go if you want to," Rae stood up slowly, putting on her coat, her tone insanely generous. "It's her birthday party tonight, and she needs you. Go be with her. I can just grab a cab home." Zero jealousy. Zero confrontation. She was even actively pushing him into another woman's arms. Colton stared at her, stunned by the sheer absurdity of it all. Panic exploded in his chest. "You're telling me to go be with her?!" Colton shot up from his seat. "Rae, I am your husband! You're watching another woman cling to me, and you feel nothing?! You're not jealous at all?!" Facing his roar, Rae casually adjusted her cuffs and offered him a flawless, polite smile: "Why would I be jealous? She's unstable, so she clearly needs you more than I do. Colton, don't waste time. Go." This total lack of jealousy—a generosity that was almost cruel—hit Colton like a sledgehammer to the chest. Staring into her emotionless eyes, a wave of terror swept over him. "I'm not going!" Colton laughed out of pure frustration, his eyes red. He snatched her wrist tight. "Since you're so generous, you're coming with me tonight! I want you to be my perfect Luna in front of everyone!" He dragged her toward the elevator, desperately searching for a crack in her composure. Rae let him drag her along, her eyes glancing at a new notification popping up on her phone: [Countdown to Mate Bond Dissolution and private flight departure: 36 hours.] Chapter 6 In the top-floor ballroom of the Royal Hotel, deep bass vibrated through everyone's chest. The second they stepped inside, Colton gripped Rae's hand so tight he almost crushed her bones. He acted like he was marking his territory, or maybe just suppressing a wave of panic inside him. Rae saw it crystal clear—from the moment they walked in, his eyes never left the center of the dance floor. Tessa wore a backless red dress, grinding wildly against a tall werewolf guy. The guy hooked his hand roughly around her waist, bending down to kiss her neck. Tessa tilted her head back, laughing like a desperate slut. CRACK! Glass shattered sharp and loud. Colton crushed the champagne glass in his hand into pieces, blood mixing with alcohol as it dripped through his fingers. His golden eyes shot blood red instantly. His Alpha aura exploded in a violent frenzy! "Tessa!" Colton charged forward like a wild beast out of control. He shoved the guy away, grabbed Tessa by the wrist, and dragged her toward the terrace. "Let go of me! Colton, what are you doing?! What right do you have to tell me what to do?!" Tessa screamed, thrashing around. Rae stood behind the window blinds in the corner, watching this trashy drama unfold with a dead calm face. Through the small gap, their argument on the terrace carried over loud and clear. "Are you out of your mind?! You let some lowlife werewolf touch you?!" Colton roared, veins bulging on his forehead as he slammed her against a stone pillar. "I'm not crazy! You're hanging out with that bitch, so who are you to judge me?!" Tessa cried hysterically, pounding on his chest. "You only care about that woman! Just leave! Who I kiss or sleep with is none of your damn business!" "You're the only one I care about!" Colton lost it completely. Raw possessiveness flared in his eyes. He yanked her close and kissed her hard on the lips! The kiss was brutal and wild. Tessa stopped fighting and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him back. Rae stood in the shadows, watching her lawful husband devour another woman. Did her heart ache? Not even a little. Her inner wolf didn't flicker at all. All she felt was a cold, ridiculous amusement, like watching a cheap comedy. Four years of fake affection and mind games turned into pure trash right at this moment. A few seconds later, Colton yanked himself away from Tessa like he got burned, stumbling back in panic. He stared at his hands, his eyes filled with pure terror and confusion. "No... this isn't right... My pheromones are out of control! Tessa, I thought you were Rae!" "Thought I was her?!" The sweet act on Tessa's face instantly twisted into pure rage. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Colton! Look me in the eyes and say that again! I'm Tessa! You just kissed me!" "Don't you love me?! Then go break your mate bond with that bitch right now!" Tessa stepped closer, her voice sharp and nasty. "The second you break it, I'm yours tonight!" Colton went pale, his eyes wavering between horror and hesitation. "I can't... Rae just lost the baby, I can't..." CRASH!! A sickening, heavy sound echoed above the ballroom. The massive crystal chandelier hanging right in the middle—weighing hundreds of pounds—snapped at the base and came crashing down with a terrifying roar! "Watch out!!" Screams erupted as people ran everywhere. The chandelier was falling straight toward the terrace exit! Right when the huge crystal structure was about to crush Tessa, Colton didn't hesitate for a single split second. "Tessa!!" He let out a desperate roar and threw himself forward purely on instinct! He shielded Tessa tight in his arms, using his wide frame and his own back to take the full force of the impact! "AAAH! Colton!!" Tessa screamed in his arms. Colton groaned in agony as a massive shard of glass sliced open his back. Blood soaked through his suit instantly, splattering across the floor. Dust and shattered glass filled the air. Pale and bleeding, Colton held the completely unharmed Tessa, looking down anxiously. "Tessa... are you okay?! Are you hurt?!" Rae let out a self-deprecating laugh as she watched him act like a devoted lover willing to die for her. Look at that—pure instinct. In a life-or-death moment, his first reaction was always Tessa. Never her. The ballroom turned into complete chaos. Security and paramedics rushed over, screaming. Rae stood in place quietly. She smoothed down her wind-blown coat and slowly walked toward the exit. It was like the man bleeding on the floor wasn't her Alpha, but just a complete stranger. Her eyebrows stayed slightly knit, but only because she couldn't decide how done she wanted her steak for lunch tomorrow. She only had a few meals left before departure, and she was really going to miss the home chef's cooking. Chapter 7 At two in the morning, a sharp ringtone shattered the dead silence. "Luna! Please come to the private hospital right away!" The assistant's frantic voice was on the verge of tears. "The Alpha's rut hit early and triggered his mania! His wounds aren't even stitched up yet, and his wild pheromones are wrecking the entire room! Only your pheromones can calm him down!" Hearing the faint beastly roars and crashing glass over the line, Rae leaned back against the headboard without even blinking. "I'm weak, and my inner wolf is in pain. I can't take the shock of wild pheromones." Rae's voice was as calm as discussing the weather. "Get him a heavy sedative. Don't call me again." She hung up and shut off her phone in one smooth motion. Early the next morning. The front door slammed open with a deafening bang. Colton stood there, his face deathly pale, radiating a freezing aura of unspent rage. He glared at Rae sitting on the couch drinking coffee, his eyes filled with total shock and fury. "Rae! Do you even have a heart?!" Colton strode over, his voice raspy as if bleeding out. "My rut nearly killed me at the hospital last night! And you didn't even bother to come see me?!" Rae slowly set down her coffee cup and looked up at him. Cold, dead silence filled her eyes. "For four years, you missed my ruts, my mother's memorial, and even my miscarriage—all for Tessa's pathetic excuses. Did you ever care about my heart?" Colton choked, his expression twisting into pure agony. He reached out in a panic to grab her hand. "Rae, last night was an accident! My pheromones went crazy after the injury... I am your Alpha! You never used to be this cold to me!" "People change, Colton." Rae casually dodged his hand, her tone completely light. "Alphas change, and mates do too." The words "mates change too" hit Colton like a sledgehammer to the chest. A wave of terror violently wrecked his mind. Veins bulged on his forehead as he snapped his hand around her wrist, his voice shaking with desperate control. "I won't let you say that! We are bonded! To prove my commitment, I'll give everyone a clear answer at our bond anniversary dinner tonight!" To win Rae back, Colton spared no expense, buying the multimillion-dollar "Tear of the Ocean" blue diamond necklace. He even threw a massive anniversary banquet on a private yacht. At the party, Colton stayed glued to Rae's side. He personally fastened the sparkling diamond necklace around her neck. "Rae, you're my only focus tonight," Colton whispered in her ear, his voice begging for her approval. Rae simply curled her lips into a polite smile, playing along with his act while her eyes remained freezing cold. Taking advantage of a moment when business partners dragged Colton away for toasts, Rae walked out to the terrace for some fresh air. "You think putting on that necklace makes you a winner?!" A sharp, mocking voice sounded from behind. Tessa stepped out in a tight dress, green with envy. She leaned close to Rae, whispering with pure malice: "On the terrace last night, you saw how tight Colton held me and how deep he kissed me, didn't you? One word from me, and he'll dump you to come running! You're just a pathetic replacement!" Faced with Tessa's arrogant provocation, Rae's expression didn't shift even a fraction. She slowly turned around, leaning back against the terrace railing. Looking down at the twisted woman in front of her, the corners of her mouth curved into a cold, ruthless sneer. "Tessa, you're pathetic." Rae spoke in a flat voice, every word cutting like a blade: "You're a loser who only feels alive by stealing someone else's Alpha and picking fights. What do you think you are to me? Just a piece of trash I can throw away anytime." "Do you really think I care who gets to keep trash?" The smug grin froze on Tessa's face, leaving her deathly pale. Chapter 8 "You bitch! Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?! I'll kill you!!" Tessa was driven to the edge of insanity. Her mind snapped completely, and she lunged at Rae with a deafening scream. They clawed and wrestled, stumbling backward right to the terrace railing. A twisted, lethal rage flashed across Tessa's face. She threw her entire weight into one brutal shove, blasting Rae over the yacht's railing! "AAAH!!" Wind whipped through the air as half of Rae's body dangled over the freezing ocean. In that split second before falling, Rae hooked her hand around Tessa's wrist purely on instinct. The sheer downward force yanked Tessa forward, slamming her against the railing with most of her body hanging in mid-air. "Help! Colton! Save me!!" Tessa turned pale as a ghost, screaming her lungs out. Frantic footsteps rushed onto the terrace. The second Colton stepped outside, he took in the horrifying scene. "Rae! Tessa!" Colton's pupils shrank to pinpricks, his face turning paper white. He bolted toward the railing like a hunting panther, throwing his arms out— On the left was Rae, dangling on the very outside edge, her grip slipping by the second. On the right was Tessa, crying uncontrollably and clinging onto Rae for dear life. Without a single second of hesitation, Colton's arms reached straight over Rae's head purely on instinct. He locked his hands around Tessa's arms, pulling her back onto the safe deck with everything he had! "Colton! Save me!" Tessa sobbed, throwing herself into his chest. In the exact moment Colton grabbed Tessa, Rae opened her eyes, looking up at the man in front of her. His eyes were filled with lingering horror and worry for Tessa. He hadn't even had time to glance back down at her. Look at that—his so-called "only one," his "instinctive choice." The corners of Rae's mouth curved into a cold, self-deprecating smile. She completely gave up. Without a shred of expectation left, she let go of Tessa's wrist. "NO—!! RAE!!" As Colton gasped, screaming in pure horror, Rae fell straight into the freezing sea like a broken butterfly. SPLASH!! The ice-cold ocean swallowed all the noise instantly. When she opened her eyes again, the yacht's emergency rescue team had pulled her out and moved her into the VIP lounge. Soaked to the bone, she changed into fresh clothes with cold efficiency. Her phone on the table lit up with over a dozen messages from Colton: [Rae! Are you okay?! The doctor said you just swallowed some water. I'm taking Tessa to the hospital right now, she's completely traumatized! Please let me explain, I just grabbed whoever was closer...] [Wait for me! Once I handle Tessa's injuries, I'll come right back to you! I'll make it up to you, I'll give you anything you want!] "Make it up to me?" Rae let out a cold laugh and blocked all his contacts without hesitation. The next second, a dead serious official system alert popped up: [Notice: Dear Ms. Rae, by order of the Werewolf High Council of North America, your mate bond with Alpha Colton has been forcefully dissolved! The dissolution certificate has been sent to your private email.] Staring at the words "Bond Dissolved," Rae finally let out a long breath. An agonizing, ripping pain shot straight through her chest, like her heart was being torn out alive. The raw, crushing force yanked her dormant wolf awake, leaving it thrashing in pure torment. Rae went deathly pale. Cold sweat poured down her face as she clutched her chest, biting her lip to blood to choke back a scream. But as her eyes landed on the phone alert, her gaze remained deadly ice-cold. Even through the gut-wrenching, soul-shattering pain, a faintly vicious smile of freedom crept onto her lips. Without wasting a single second, she grabbed her pre-packed bag, got into a cab, and drove straight to the Werewolf High Council headquarters. After collecting the physical certificate stamped with a gold seal, she got into a private car heading for the international airport without looking back once. Thirty minutes before departure. Inside the terminal hall, announcements echoed over the speakers. The moment Rae turned on her backup phone, calls flooded in like crazy. "Colton" flashed across the screen over and over again. Once, twice, ten times... The sharp ringing sounded like a death sentence. Even his personal assistant and the pack elders were calling her like mad. Clearly, Colton had felt the mate bond snap. He was going totally feral. Rae watched the name that used to break her heart so deeply. Not a single ripple moved through her eyes. Her slender fingers swiped the screen, popped the SIM card out, snapped it in half, and tossed it into a trash can nearby. [Private flight BA882 to London is now boarding. All passengers please proceed to the gate.] At the gate, Rae handed over her passport and boarding pass. The flight attendant offered her a sweet, professional smile: "Ms. Rae, have a wonderful trip and enjoy your new life." Rae smiled softly, stepping onto the jet bridge with high heels, elegant and unshakeable. Goodbye, pathetic past where she begged for love. Goodbye, Colton. The massive jet roared into the sky, tearing through the night toward the distant, free continent of Europe.