Tharina listened to the voice message without any change in her expression. Then her eyes lowered to the ring on her finger.

A moonstone ring.

It was paired with the "Silvermoon Regalia" scent oil, crafted from rare night-blooming herbs.

Malven had made it himself. It was the gift he used when he asked her to become his mate.

Now he used his so-called memory loss as a shield, giving away things that belonged only to her. Again and again.

Each time, he would watch her break apart. He would watch her cry, shout, and lose control. Then he would calm her with a few soft words, pulling her back as if nothing had happened.

This had happened too many times.

But not anymore. She no longer wanted the ring. And she no longer wanted Malven.

Tharina said nothing. She removed the ring from her finger and dropped it into the waste bin. Then she asked someone to take all the jewelry away.

***

Before sunrise the next morning, Malven returned to the pack estate. He had already washed away every scent that didn’t belong to him. He changed into clean clothes and climbed into bed quietly.

From behind, he wrapped his arm around Tharina. His chin rested near her neck. His fingers moved slowly along her waist.

His voice sounded soft when saying, "Tharina, I am sorry. My condition acted up again yesterday, and everything spread across the territories. I know it must have hurt you."

He paused, then added, "But she is still young. Spending some time with her is only right. Do not take it too seriously."

Tharina gave a small nod. "Alright."

Malven stiffened. The words he prepared to comfort her stopped midway.

"Tharina, you are really not angry this time?"

Tharina gave a faint smile. "Isn’t this what you wanted? A calm and proper Luna?"

Malven looked satisfied. He took out a small bottle of scent oil and handed it to her, like a reward. The sweet smell reached her nose, and she frowned at once.

Not long ago, that young she-wolf, Elodie Wildmoor, had shown the same bottle to everyone through a communication mirror.

"My Alpha bought this for me. I don’t like it. I will make him return it to his plain Luna."

There was a time when Malven searched across kingdoms just to bring her the best things. Now he gave her what another woman didn’t want.

Tharina bit her lip until she tasted blood.

"I don’t want something that has been touched by others."

Malven’s expression shifted slightly. Without hesitation, he threw the bottle away. Then he pulled her into his arms.

"If you don’t like it, alright, just throw it away."

"I have a full body check at the healer’s hall later. Tharina, it is time we have our own pup."

A pup…

Pain spread through her chest. She lowered her eyes, hiding everything.

Once, they both wished for a pup more than anything. But now, she would never tell him.

Silence filled the room.

Tharina was about to speak when his communication stone lit up.

"Malven, I twisted my ankle. It hurts."

Malven glanced at Tharina, then spoke coldly, "Can’t you just go to the healer yourself?"

He ended the call. Then he turned back to Tharina with a smile and helped her prepare.

"Today, my Luna comes first."

***

The carriage moved away from the estate.

Soon, the communication stone rang again. Malven answered.

Tharina couldn’t hear the other side, but suddenly the carriage stopped hard.

Before she could react, Malven opened the door, came around, and pulled her out.

"Tharina, take another carriage to the healer’s hall."

Before she could speak, he had already left. The carriage rushed away.

Tharina stood still, watching it disappear. A quiet laugh escaped her lips. For a moment, she had believed there was still something real left in him.

In the end, she was the only foolish one.

***

Tharina went to the healer’s hall alone. After finishing her check, she turned a corner and saw them.

Malven and Elodie.

Elodie leaned against his chest, her eyes red. A small bandage with bright patterns covered her ankle.

When Elodie saw Tharina, she quickly spoke, "Luna Tharina, I am sorry. This is my fault. It is just a small injury, but I still called the Alpha. He should have stayed with you today. I feel very bad."

Tharina felt her stomach twist. She covered her mouth, trying not to retch.

"So now, a personal attendant also serves as a mate on the side."

Malven’s face darkened. Anger flashed across his eyes.

But then he noticed her. Her face had no color. Her body swayed slightly.

Something tightened inside his chest. He reached for the scroll in her hand.

"Are you unwell?"

Before he could touch it, Elodie cried out softly, "Alpha, my ankle hurts so much…"

His attention shifted at once. He let go of Tharina’s hand and turned back to Elodie.

"It is alright. We will get it treated now."

He released Tharina so suddenly that she lost her balance. Her body leaned back, almost falling. She pressed her hand against the wall to steady herself.

When she looked up again, Malven was already gone. He carried Elodie away without looking back.

Pain spread through Tharina’s chest. She clenched her hand tightly, forcing herself to stay calm.

She turned and left without another glance.

***

The moment Tharina stepped outside, her communication stone lit up.

A message from Jolene.

[Tharina, the bond severance papers will be ready in seven days.]

After being discharged from the healer’s hall, Tharina didn’t hesitate. She drove straight across the territory to the private forging den that once belonged only to her.

Malven had given her that place after their mating rites. At that time, guilt had followed him like a shadow. She had stayed by his side, caring for him after his near death accident, abandoning her own path without complaint. The den had been his way of making it up to her.

When the bond was severed, she would not take any share of his Alpha wealth. Not a single coin.

But this place, she would keep it. Everything inside had been created by her own effort, shaped through long nights and quiet suffering. It was the only thing she had left to build a new life for herself and the pup growing inside her.

She had barely stepped inside when her assistant hurried over and handed her a record of items that had already been sent out.

Her work. All of it.

The necklaces she had forged with moonstones. The bracelets carved with protective runes. Even the rare pieces she had sealed away. Every single item had been removed and delivered to Elodie Wildmoor, all under Malven’s command.

A cold fury rose within her. Her fingers tightened around her crystal communicator as she prepared to call him.

But before she could, something else caught her attention. Her name had spread across the pack’s network like wildfire.

There was a video. It showed her sitting alone in the waiting area of the healer’s hall, silent and still. Not far from her, Malven held Elodie in his arms, his voice low and gentle as he comforted her.

The reactions below were cruel.

"So even the Luna knows when to stay quiet. She must be afraid of losing her title."

"It’s clear who the Alpha truly treasures. Look at how worried he is for Elodie."

"She only became his mate because she cared for him when he was injured. She turned kindness into a bond. Now the truth is showing."

The words were meant to wound, yet they found nothing left to break.

Malven had seen it as well. His answer came quickly. A large sum of money transferred to her account, followed by a short message.

"She had nightmares and needed me. Do not cause trouble."

Tharina looked at the glowing numbers for a long moment. Her eyes remained calm, empty of feeling.

Then she called him.

When he answered, her voice held no warmth at all.

"Malven, my creations were sent to your chosen one. Did you even consider asking me?"

On the other side, he sounded impatient, as if her question meant nothing.

"Is the payment not enough? You kept quiet yesterday. Why are you making noise now?"

A faint laugh slipped from her lips. Without another word, she ended the call and continued packing.

She stayed there through the night.

By the next day, everything she needed had been gathered. Once she left, she knew she would never return.

But when she entered the pack house again, she was met with a sight that made her pause.

Elodie was resting comfortably on the main couch, leaning into Malven as she spoke softly. The two of them looked close, like a true mated pair.

Hearing the door, Elodie turned her head. The moment she saw Tharina, her expression shifted. She drew closer to Malven, her posture small, almost fearful.

"Hello, Luna."

Tharina felt her body tighten, though she kept her face calm. Her gaze moved over them before she spoke, her tone cold.

"Alpha Ashbourne, you are quite thoughtful. Bringing her into this house to recover. Was the place too quiet without her presence?"

Malven’s expression hardened immediately. He rose slightly, his voice carrying clear disapproval.

"Tharina, I believed you had learned restraint. Yet here you are again. Elodie is still injured. I will not leave her alone outside. She will remain here for a few days. What is your objection?"

Those words ended whatever little hope she still held.

She looked at him carefully. Once, he had been the center of her world. Now, he felt like a stranger.

There was no anger left. No sadness. Only emptiness.

She didn’t argue. Her eyes moved away from them, and she turned toward the stairs.

The bedroom door closed behind her, cutting off the sound of Elodie’s soft crying. Cutting off the last tie that bound her to Malven.

Her strength left her then. She slid down slowly until she sat against the door. One hand rested over her stomach as she spoke in a quiet voice.

"You will not resent me for this, will you, my dear?"

It took a long time before Tharina could gather enough strength to rise. Her limbs felt weak, her spirit even more so. At last, she pushed herself up and went to collect her belongings.

Inside the carved wooden wardrobe lay everything she had prepared for her unborn pup. Tiny garments woven from soft fur cloth, small boots meant for first steps, and a thick patchwork blanket her mother had sewn during many full moons. Each stitch carried a blessing from the Moon Goddess.

She meant to take every single piece with her.

But the moment she pulled the doors open, a cold dread spread through her chest.

The space had been turned upside down. Nothing remained. The garments were gone, as though they had been taken by the wind.

Her steps grew sharp as she descended to the lower hall. She found the servant wolf nearby, her voice low but shaking with anger.

"Where have my things been taken?"

The servant lowered her head at once, unable to meet her eyes. Her voice faltered, and without thinking, her gaze flickered toward the training grounds outside.

Tharina felt her heart sink. She followed the distant laughter echoing across the territory, each step pulling her closer to something she didn’t wish to see.

When she reached the open field, her blood seemed to burn.

Elodie stood upon the grass, smiling as she played with a young hound. The beast was dressed in the very clothes Tharina had prepared for her pup, the soft fabrics stretched across its body in cruel mockery.

The blanket her mother had sewn was no longer whole. It had been torn into strips, its blessing ruined. One piece was tied loosely around the hound’s neck.

And the charm her mother had received from the sacred altar, meant to guard both her and her pup, was clenched between the beast’s teeth, being ripped apart.

Elodie laughed softly, stroking the hound with delight.

"My Rina is so lovely. You look perfect in these."

"Such a good girl, Rina."

Rina?

That name struck deep into Tharina’s heart. It had once belonged only to her, spoken in quiet nights by Malven, filled with warmth and closeness.

Now it sounded like a curse.

Her hands curled tightly at her sides, claws almost breaking through skin. Rage rose within her like a beast ready to break free.

Every insult, every silent wound she had endured within this pack, shattered all at once.

She stepped forward without hesitation and struck Elodie across the face. The sound echoed sharply through the territory.

"Tharina, have you lost your mind??"

Elodie cried out, clutching her cheek as tears fell instantly.

Malven rushed out from the alpha hall, drawn by the noise. His eyes went first to Elodie, trembling and in tears.

The moment she saw him, she ran into his arms.

"Alpha, the Luna struck me, and she even hurt Rina."

Malven’s expression darkened as he turned toward Tharina.

"Tharina, what are you doing?"

Her voice came out rough, filled with anger and pain.

"You allowed her to touch what belongs to me."

His face turned cold.

"Those useless scraps? That hound wearing them gives them more value than they ever had."

Tharina’s breath grew uneven. She pushed past him, rushing toward the hound, desperate to save the charm.

Before she could reach it, the beast growled low and lunged. Its fangs sank into her leg, tearing into flesh. Pain shot through her body. Its claws pressed against her as it tried to climb higher.

In that moment, she ignored the pain. Drawing on what strength she had left, she struck the beast away with force.

The hound yelped and rolled across the ground, curling into itself.

Blood flowed from her wound, warm and steady. At the same time, a sharp pain twisted in her lower abdomen, forcing her to bend forward.

"Tharina!"

Malven stepped toward her, clearly shaken. He had not expected her to fight back like that.

But before he could move closer, Elodie grabbed his arm, her voice filled with fear.

"Malven, Rina is bleeding. What if she dies?"

His movement stopped. His gaze shifted to the injured hound. He hesitated for a long moment, then steadied Elodie.

"Don’t be afraid."

He lifted the hound into his arms, held Elodie close, and walked away from the field without looking back.

Tharina stood there, watching his retreating figure. She bit her lip until she tasted blood, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall. In her heart, she repeated the same truth again and again. He was not worth her pain.

With unsteady steps, she forced herself to move. She left the territory and called for a carriage, making her way to the healer’s den alone.

The moment she stepped inside, the strength she had been holding onto finally broke. Darkness swallowed her sight, and she collapsed.

When she opened her eyes again, a new day had come. Her wound had been treated, and she was told she could leave.