"Alright, Luna Valloren. I will inform you once the bond is officially broken. It will take about one moon cycle."

"Understood. Thank you, Zorven."

Valea ended the call through her crystal communicator. After that, she began preparing the items she would carry when she left the Alpha villa.

The grand villa they built during fifteen winters of their bond now meant nothing to her. She threw away all the gifts and spirit jewels, even the preserved moon flowers Renwick had given her when they first marked each other.

There was nothing she wished to take.

All the lands, wealth and trade rights Renwick gave her remained within this territory.

Valea would leave everything behind to cut all ties with Renwick Valloren.

She had not told her birth pack about her decision. They believed she lived happily as Luna and that Renwick was a worthy Alpha in their eyes.

If they knew she wanted to break the bond, they would stop her and inform Renwick.

Then everything would fail and the alliance between the two great packs would remain untouched.

Valea decided she would speak only after everything was done.

At that time, no one could stop her.

Renwick, Davinia and Arion returned to the villa. Valea didn’t greet them and walked straight into the bathing chamber.

When she came out wearing a thin night robe, Renwick was already inside, his shirt partly undone.

Without a word, Valea sat before the mirror and began her routine.

Renwick stepped behind her and pressed her shoulders gently.

"I returned late. Arion wanted to visit the amusement grounds, so we stayed longer than planned."

"Hm. It doesn’t matter."

Renwick lowered his head and rested his chin on her shoulder, brushing his lips against her neck.

The scent of his rich wolf musk mixed with a strong rose fragrance made her feel sick. She forced a faint smile, knowing very well who used that scent.

"Valea, stay calm today," Renwick whispered near her ear. "Are you uneasy because Davinia is here?"

"No," Valea answered softly.

"She’s only family. She belongs to the Valloren bloodline."

"I understand."

"Are you upset because Arion is closer to her?"

"No. They’re mother and pup. It’s natural."

Renwick watched her through the mirror, sensing something strange in her calm face. He had felt this change since Davinia returned. He believed it was because Valea disliked Arion growing close to his birth mother.

Valea met his gaze calmly, hiding all emotion.

"Don’t be angry with Arion. He’s our heir. We must raise him well since we have no pup of our own."

"Hm," she replied coldly.

"If only you could give me a pup..." Renwick stopped himself before finishing.

They had no pup for fifteen winters. Renwick never complained, because their bond was meant to unite two powerful packs.

"Don’t lose hope. We can try again," he murmured near her lips.

Valea’s body stiffened as his hand slid along her robe. Before he could see the scar on her chest, she pushed him away.

"What’s wrong?"

"I am not well. My moon cycle has come," Valea said flatly.

At that moment, the communicator on the bedside table lit up.

"Your device is ringing," she said, turning her face away.

Renwick clicked his tongue and picked it up.

"Speak."

"Renwick, can you come here?" Davinia’s voice trembled.

"What happened?" His tone turned urgent.

"I heard something in my chamber. I think someone entered. I am afraid."

"Don’t fear. I am coming now."

He stepped away from Valea and grabbed a silver weapon from the drawer.

"Stay here. I will check it," he said, already moving toward the door.

He didn’t even look back at her.

Valea let out a cold laugh. She already knew this was another act.

The servants had whispered that Davinia panicked after seeing her window open during her bath and thought she saw a shadow outside.

Not long after, Renwick and Davinia stood at her door.

"What is it?" Valea asked calmly.

"Valea, Davinia’s room is not safe. We have not found the intruder. She’s too frightened to stay there. For now, she will live here."

Valea’s face turned pale.

"Renwick, are you serious?"

His expression hardened. "This room has the strongest protection. She will be safe here. You can move to another chamber."

"This is our room, Renwick. How can you bring another she-wolf here and force me out?" Valea said, her voice shaking as tears filled her eyes.

This was their sacred chamber. Every detail was chosen by her. Every memory of their winters together lived here.

How could he push her out so easily?

Davinia trembled and hid behind Renwick, holding his arm.

"It’s fine. I can stay anywhere. Maybe I should leave this place."

Renwick softened and touched her arm.

"It’s dangerous outside at night. That intruder is targeting you. You’re the only one being threatened. I must protect you."

"But what about Luna Valea?"

Renwick looked at Valea with indifference.

"Valea, you’re older. You should understand. Let her have this room."

"You worry about her safety, but what about mine? If that intruder comes for me..."

He cut her off.

"You grew up among strong wolves. You have faced danger many times. You can protect yourself. Davinia cannot."

Without waiting for her answer, he ordered a servant to move her belongings.

Valea clenched her fists. Pain filled her chest.

Since Davinia returned, everything had changed. Renwick no longer cared about pretending to be a good mate.

"I am sorry, Valea. I didn’t wish to push you out..." Davinia said softly, though a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"Don’t apologize. You didn’thing wrong," Renwick said coldly. "Don’t blame her."

"I said nothing," Valea replied quietly.

"Renwick, can you stay with me? I am still afraid," Davinia said as she leaned against him weakly.

"I will stay with you."

Without another glance at Valea, he led Davinia into the room.

The door closed right in front of her.

Valea stood there, breathing slowly, her hands clenched so tight they trembled, her chest heavy with pain.

What happened that night spread quickly among the pack servants. They all saw how Valea was forced out of the Alpha’s main chamber while Renwick stayed there with Davinia.

Every servant understood clearly that Renwick showed how important Davinia was to him. At that moment, Valea lost dignity in her own den and became the subject of whispers among the servants.

Renwick didn’thing to fix the situation or apologize to her.

Soon, a call crystal from Valea’s birth pack lit up, as if the news had already reached them. Her mother, Amarise, spoke first and immediately scolded her.

"Valea, how could you allow another she wolf to treat you like that? Where is your pride as a daughter of the Frosthall Pack?"

"Mother, what happened was..."

"Enough. Don’t fight with Renwick over a mistress. You’re still Luna Valloren. You must keep that position."

"Mother, I was humiliated like this. How can you say that to me?" Valea asked in disbelief.

"Valea, how old are you now? You have been mated for many winters but still have not given the Valloren Pack an heir. Don’t anger Renwick and make him quarrel with you because of another woman. If you break the bond with him, the Frosthall Pack won’t welcome you back."

Valea stayed silent. Her hands tightened as she listened to her mother’s cold voice. She understood that in her family’s eyes, she had little value because she had not given birth to a future Alpha.

"Valea, are you listening? There is no need to compete with a mistress. Renwick will grow tired of her one day and you will remain Luna Valloren. Instead, think about how you can carry a pup."

Valea felt exhausted deep inside and chose not to argue.

"I understand, Mother." She ended the call.

Her family’s reaction made her more certain that she would keep the bond breaking a secret and she would not return to the Frosthall Pack.

That day, Renwick returned to the villa earlier than usual. He found Valea in their main chamber packing some of her things into large boxes.

"What did you tell your clan?" His voice sounded displeased.

"Nothing," Valea replied shortly while folding her clothes and placing them inside the box.

"Then why did your father contact me and mention Davinia?"

"I don’t know. My mother also spoke to me today. She talked about Davinia as well. It seems they heard about last night from a servant. In powerful packs like ours, spies are everywhere."

Renwick stayed quiet for a moment before letting out a breath.

"Don’t think too much about last night. Davinia didn’t grow up among warriors like us. She was very frightened by that intruder."

"Yes. I know." Valea lowered her head and continued packing.

"Why are you putting so many things in those boxes? You don’t need to move that much. Once Davinia feels safe again, you can return to this chamber."

"It’s fine. She can stay here as long as she wants. These things will be given to the orphan pups in the outer territory."

Renwick looked at her for a moment with a slight frown. Valea seemed unusually calm, even willing to give up their chamber without complaint. She was not someone who usually gave away her belongings and she had always been stubborn.

Renwick glanced at the items inside the boxes. Many of them were precious to her because he had given them. The dolls were gifts from the time she was ten until she turned eighteen, along with other items.

"Those things... didn’t you treasure them? Do you really want to throw them away?"

"I suddenly feel too old to keep them. I am sure many pups in the orphan dens would be happy to have them," Valea said with a gentle smile.

Renwick didn’t question it further. He placed an invitation scroll and a gift box on her lap.

"This is an invitation to the Valloren Pack gathering tomorrow night. We must attend together and show everyone that we’re doing well."

"Alright." Valea touched the gift box he had given her.

When she opened it, the contents were beautiful. Inside was a fine silk dress enchanted with moon thread and the newest diamond jewels from a famous clan of craftsmen.

Even after their conflict, Renwick still knew her taste and favorite brands. Her heart shook slightly. At least he still showed her respect.

"Wear that dress tomorrow night."

Valea looked at him and nodded with a smile.

The next evening at seven, Valea went to check the dress she had asked a servant to clean and press. But when she entered the room, she saw Davinia holding the dress and pressing it with a hot iron stone. Steam rose into the air and a burnt smell filled the room. Nearby, Arion sat on the floor, playing with Valea’s broken jewelry set.

"Davinia, what are you doing?" Valea rushed forward and pulled the dress away, pushing Davinia aside.

The dress was ruined. Burn marks spread across the fabric and a large hole had formed in the center.

"Ah, I am sorry, Valea. I burned your dress by mistake. You’re not going to blame me, right?" Davinia said with a mocking smile, not even trying to hide that it was done on purpose.

"Mother, look at this ugly necklace. The chain is broken," Arion shouted, pointing at Valea’s damaged necklace.

"Arion, don’t be naughty, my dear. That’s something very precious to Luna Valea."

"This ugly thing is useless. It breaks so easily," Arion said, sticking out his tongue as he threw it away. The pendant hit the floor and shattered into pieces.

Davinia let out a soft laugh, then turned to Valea with a pleased smile. "It seems you cannot wear that dress or those jewels now. If you wish, I can lend you one of my old dresses."

Valea’s hands trembled as she clenched them tightly, forcing down her anger. "Davinia, watch how you behave in my den. Don’t test me if you don’t want to regret it."

Davinia lifted her chin proudly and brushed her hair back. "Still acting like the Luna of this place? Tell me, did you know Renwick and I shared your bed?"

She revealed the mark on her neck. "Look at this. He could not control himself. He told me he was tired of being with you. You cannot stir any desire in him because you’re like..."

Before she could finish, Valea’s hand struck her hard across the face. Her expression turned dark.

"Davinia, you’re only a hidden mate. Renwick doesn’t even dare to reveal you. Don’t cross your place. I have endured you long enough. If you provoke me again, you will face the consequences."

Valea didn’t wish to waste her strength on such a woman, especially when she was about to leave this place. But Davinia kept pushing her and her patience had ended.

Davinia’s eyes turned red with anger, yet her lips curled into a strange smile as she glanced toward the door. She saw Renwick approaching.

"You wicked woman. How dare you strike my mother!" Arion shouted as he rushed forward and bit Valea’s hand.

"Arion, let go," Valea said, trying to push him away. He stumbled and hit the ironing stand.

In that moment, Davinia rushed forward and pulled Arion into her arms. The hot iron fell and struck her shoulder.

"Aah..." she cried loudly, hugging Arion tightly. "Valea, I know he’s not your blood, but how can you try to burn him? He’s just a pup. If you must hurt someone, hurt me instead."

"Davinia," Renwick rushed in. He threw the iron aside and turned to Valea. His hand rose and struck her face hard.

"Valea, you have gone too far this time. You hurt both Arion and Davinia."

The force of the strike tore the corner of her lips. This was the first time he had ever hit her.

Valea smiled faintly as she wiped the blood.

"I never meant to harm Arion. Davinia was the one who ruined my dress and jewels first."

Another strike landed on her face.

"Because of a dress and some jewels, you would harm them like this. Your heart is truly cruel," Renwick said coldly. "Apologize to Davinia."

Valea gritted her teeth. "Don’t order me to bow to that woman."

Renwick lifted his hand again, but paused when he saw her injured face. For a moment, guilt flashed in his eyes. But when he looked at Davinia crying while holding Arion, his expression hardened again.

He carried Davinia into his arms and turned to the guards.

"Lock Luna Valea in her chamber. Don’t give her food or water until she apologizes."

Valea watched his back with cold eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she wiped them away roughly.

Enough, Valea. Don’t cry for him anymore.

She was locked inside without food or drink. Not long after, her mother contacted her again, questioning why Renwick had taken Davinia to the Valloren gathering in her place.

To calm Davinia, Renwick had brought her to the gathering and dressed her in the finest gown and jewels. They told everyone Valea was ill and that her sister in-law would attend instead.

Even from afar, the Frosthall Pack knew everything happening here.

Valea pressed her forehead and ended the call. Her ears rang from her mother’s harsh words.

After that night, Renwick didn’t return. He took Davinia and Arion traveling across distant territories.

Davinia sent endless memory clips to Valea, showing their journey, their laughter and even their moments in bed without shame.

Meanwhile, Valea remained locked away. A servant brought her food and water, asking again and again if she had apologized, then reporting her answer to Renwick.

Valea survived by drinking water from the chamber basin.

Renwick extended her punishment until he returned.

When Valea felt her life fading from hunger, she woke to find herself lying on her bed with a healing tube connected to her arm.

Renwick sat beside her, his face stiff, guilt hidden beneath anger.

"If you had admitted your mistake earlier, none of this would have happened."

Valea covered her face. She didn’t want to look at him, the man who had shattered her heart.

Renwick let out a breath.

"Valea, stop this stubbornness and apologize to Davinia."

Davinia stepped forward from behind him, her voice soft and gentle. "Renwick, it’s fine. Valea is from the Frosthall bloodline. Of course her pride is too high to bow to someone like me."

Renwick’s eyes turned cold as he looked at Valea.

"Being born into the Frosthall Pack has made you arrogant."