"Understood, Mrs. Blackthorn. I will notify you as soon as the bond severance is finalized. The ritual requires a full moon cycle to complete."

"All right, thank you, Mr. Greymoor."

Violette ended the mind-link call. Next, she prepared the documents she needed to take with her when she left the pack estate.

The estate, which they had built together during their fifteen years of mating, was now meaningless. She threw away all the gifts and moonstone jewelry, even the first preserved flowers Hans had given her when their bond was sealed.

There was nothing she needed to take. All the territory holdings and businesses Hans had given her over the years were bound to this pack's lands.

Violette would leave all of it behind to free herself from her ties to Hans Blackthorn.

Violette had not told her family that she was severing the bond with Hans. They believed Violette was contentedly mated, and Hans was a strong Alpha ally in their eyes.

If her parents knew Violette wanted the bond broken, they would try to talk her out of it and tell Hans.

Then the severance would never happen, preserving the alliance between the two packs.

Violette would tell them after the ritual was finalized. At that point, there would be nothing they could do to prevent her from leaving.

Hans, Irene, and Damien had returned to the estate. Violette did not greet them and went to the bathing chamber to freshen up.

When she came out wearing a sleeping robe, Hans was already in the chamber and had unbuttoned his shirt. Calmly, Violette went to the dressing table and began her evening routine.

Hans stood behind her and gently squeezed her shoulders.

"Sorry I'm home late. Damien insisted on going to the festival grounds and lost track of time."

"Hm. It's okay."

Hans leaned down, resting his chin on Violette's shoulder and kissing her neck.

The scent of charred oak and black iron that clung to Hans's skin was threaded through with something else. Night-blooming jasmine and warm honey, sweet enough to make her teeth ache. Irene's scent, layered over his like a second skin. Violette's stomach churned. Her lips smiled bitterly as she recognized who that cloying sweetness belonged to.

"Vio, just be quiet today," Hans whispered, kissing her earlobe. "Are you uncomfortable with Irene being here?"

"No," Violette replied with a fake smile.

"Irene is just our sister by mating. She's part of the Blackthorn Pack."

"I know."

"Is it because Damien is too close to Irene that you're upset?"

"No. They should be close because they are mother and son."

Hans stared at Violette through the reflection in the dressing table mirror, sensing her unusual change. He had felt it since Irene moved into their den. He thought it was because Violette didn't like Damien being close to his biological mother.

Violette stared back calmly, trying not to appear cold in front of him. Her wolf lay still inside her chest, watchful and quiet, offering nothing.

"Don't be too angry with Damien for being close to his mother. We have to raise him because he is the heir to the Blackthorn Pack since we cannot have pups."

"Hm," Violette replied indifferently.

"If only you could have..." Hans stopped himself before he finished the sentence that would hurt Violette.

They had been without pups for fifteen years. Hans had never made an issue of it because Violette was the daughter of the Ashwood Alpha. Their mating was intended to maintain the alliance between the two powerful packs.

"Don't give up, we'll try again," Hans whispered in Violette's ear.

Violette's body tensed as Hans's lips kissed the corner of her mouth and his hand pulled down her sleeping robe. She immediately pushed Hans's hand away before he could see the scar on her chest.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not feeling well. My cycle started today," Violette said coldly.

Suddenly, the mind-link stone on the bedside table pulsed with light.

"Your stone is ringing." Violette turned her face away.

Hans grumbled, picking up the stone without moving away from Violette's body.

*"Hans, can you come here?"* Irene's voice sounded frightened through the stone-link.

"What's going on?" Hans's voice was full of concern.

*"I think I heard an intruder in my chamber. I'm really scared, Hans."*

"Don't be afraid. I'll be right there." He hurriedly moved away from Violette and took the silver-edged blade from the desk drawer.

"Wait here, I'll check what's going on," he said without looking at Violette and rushed out of the chamber.

Violette scoffed, knowing what drama Irene was creating. She had heard from one of the pack servants that Irene had been terrified to find her chamber window open while she was bathing, and she had seen a shadow pass by outside.

However, shortly after, Hans and Irene appeared at her door.

"What?" Violette stood in front of them.

"Vio, Irene's chamber isn't safe, and we haven't found the intruder yet. Irene is scared and doesn't dare to stay in her chamber. So, for the time being, Irene will stay in this chamber."

Violette's face paled as she stared at Hans in disbelief.

"Hans, have you lost your mind?"

Hans's expression immediately turned stern. "This chamber has the strongest wards. Irene will be safe here. You can move to the next chamber."

"This is our chamber, Hans! How dare you bring another female into our chamber!" Violette refused, her chest felt hot, and her tears blurred her vision.

This was the private chamber they had shared for years since they were mated, even before Irene came and destroyed their bond.

Every detail of this chamber's decor was engraved in her heart. She had spent her thoughts and time tracking down the right fabrics and furnishings to prepare the mating chamber. She and Hans had shared many beautiful memories in this chamber over the years.

How could Hans bring another female into their chamber and kick her out without a shred of guilt?

Irene pretended to tremble with fear, hiding behind Hans while clutching his hand.

"Hans, it's okay. I can be placed in any chamber. It's better if I just move out of the estate."

Hans's face softened as he looked at Irene and stroked her arm. "It's not safe for you to go out in the middle of the night like this. That intruder is definitely after you. Of all the wolves in this estate, you're the only one being terrorized. I have to protect you because it's my responsibility."

"But what about Violette...?"

Hans shifted his gaze to Violette indifferently. "Violette, as someone older than Irene, you have to give in. Give this chamber to Irene."

"You're worried about Irene being attacked, but what about me? What if the intruder hurts me—"

Hans interrupted her. "You grew up in the Ashwood Pack. You've faced dangerous situations many times, but you've always been safe all these years. You're different from Irene, who is a turned wolf, weaker and unable to fight back."

Not wanting to hear Violette's refusal, Hans called a pack servant to move Violette's belongings to another chamber.

Violette clenched her hands tightly. Pain pierced her chest. Tears threatened to fall.

Since Irene returned a year ago, Hans's attitude had changed. He cared more about Irene and no longer cared about the image of a devoted mate that he had always projected.

"I'm sorry, Violette. I didn't mean to make you move out of this chamber..." Irene whispered weakly, looking at her with an apologetic gaze. But the corners of her lips curled into a sly smile. Beneath the jasmine and honey, that acrid chemical note sharpened, just for a breath, before sweetening again.

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault," Hans said, glancing indifferently at Violette. "Don't blame Irene."

"I didn't say anything," Violette replied coldly.

"Hans, can you stay with me for a while? I'm afraid to be alone." Irene leaned weakly on Hans as if she were about to faint.

"Okay, I'll keep you company."

Ignoring Violette's reaction, Hans took Irene into their chamber and closed the door right in front of her face.

Violette took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her chest feeling tight.

The events of that night spread quickly among the pack servants. They had witnessed Violette being cast out of the Alpha's chambers while Hans escorted Irene inside and closed the heavy oak doors behind them.

Every wolf in the Blackthorn estate could read the message clearly enough. Hans had shown the entire household exactly how much Irene mattered to him. Violette lost face in her own den and became the subject of whispered ridicule among wolves who should have bowed their heads when she passed.

Hans did not attempt to remedy the situation or apologize to Violette.

A mind-link message came through from the Ashwood Pack, as if the news had already crossed territories. Her mother, Anna, wasted no time.

"Vio, how could you let another woman treat you like that? Where is your pride as a daughter of the Ashwood bloodline?"

"Mom, what happened was..."

"Forget it. Don't get into a conflict with Hans over some turned wolf. After all, you are still the Luna of the Blackthorn Pack. You have to maintain that status."

"Mom, your daughter was humiliated like this, how can you say that to me?" Violette said in disbelief, her grip tightening on the mind-link stone.

"Violette, how old are you now? You are a mated wolf who has been bonded for fifteen years but have yet to produce an heir for the Blackthorn line. Don't make Hans unhappy and cause him to fight with you because of a mistress. If you sever the bond with Hans, the Ashwood Pack will not accept you anymore."

Violette did not answer. Her hands clenched tightly as she listened to her mother's indifferent words. She understood that she was useless in the eyes of her family because she had not given the Blackthorn Pack any pups.

"Vio, are you listening to me? There's no need to fight with Hans over a mistress. He will get bored eventually and you will remain Luna. It's better to think about how you can conceive an heir."

Violette's heart was so tired that she didn't argue with her mother.

"I understand, Mom." She ended the mind-link.

Her family's attitude made Violette even more determined to keep her bond-severance a secret, and she would not return to the Ashwood Pack.

Hans came home early that day and found Violette in the Alpha's chambers, packing some of her belongings into boxes.

"What did you tell your family?" His expression looked unhappy.

"Nothing," Violette replied briefly and wearily, continuing to fold her clothes into a box.

"Then why did your father contact me and bring up Irene?"

"I don't know, but my mother reached out to me today. She also talked about Irene. It seems they heard the news from last night through a servant. You know, in a pack like ours, there are always wolves with divided loyalties. Spies everywhere."

Hans paused for a moment and then exhaled. "Don't worry too much about what happened last night. Irene wasn't raised like us, growing up in a powerful pack. She was very frightened by the intruder last night."

"Yes. I know." Violette bowed her head, busy packing her belongings into boxes.

"Why are you packing so many things? You don't need to pack so much. Once Irene calms down, you can come back to this room."

"It's okay. She can stay in this chamber as long as she wants. And these things are for me to donate to the pack orphanage."

Hans stared at her for a moment, his brow furrowed. He felt that Violette was indifferent and was even giving up their chambers just like that. She was not the type of person who would give away her belongings to anyone, and she was stubborn.

Hans looked at the items packed in the boxes. They were valuable to Violette because they were gifts from him. The carved wooden wolves were gifts Hans had given Violette from the ages of ten to eighteen, along with a few other keepsakes.

"Those things… don't you really like them? Do you really need to throw them away?"

"Oh, I feel like I'm too old to keep these things. There must be lots of pups in the orphanage who would love these." Violette smiled gently at Hans.

Hans didn't think about it any further. He placed an invitation and a gift box on Violette's lap.

"An invitation to the Blackthorn Pack gathering tomorrow night. We both have to attend and show everyone that we're doing well."

"Okay." Violette stroked the gift box Hans had given her.

When she opened it, the contents were stunning: a delicate silk dress threaded with silver moonstone beading and the latest diamonds from a renowned jeweler.

Despite their recent argument, Hans still knew her taste and her preferences. Her heart wavered for a moment. At least Hans still respected her.

"Wear that dress tomorrow night."

Violette looked up and nodded, smiling.

---

The next day at seven in the evening, Violette went to check the dress she had asked a pack servant to wash and press. However, she found Irene standing over the ironing board. The iron was emitting steam, and there was a burning smell that cut through the faint sweetness of jasmine and honey still clinging to the chamber. Next to her, Damien was busy on the floor, snapping apart Violette's jewelry set piece by piece, his small fingers working with deliberate focus.

"Irene, what are you doing?!" Violette rushed to save her dress and pushed Irene aside.

The dress was beyond saving. There were burn marks and a gaping hole scorched through the middle of the fabric, the moonstone beading melted and blackened.

"Oops, sorry Violette... I accidentally burned your dress. You're not going to blame me, right?" Irene said with a cynical smile on her lips, not attempting to hide that it was intentional.

"Mommy, look at this ugly necklace! The chain is broken!" Damien exclaimed, pointing to Violette's broken necklace.

"Damien, don't be naughty, Sweetie. That's Violette's precious necklace."

"This ugly necklace is useless. It breaks so easily!" Damien stuck out his tongue and threw the necklace carelessly, causing the diamond pendant to separate and shatter on the floor.

Irene chuckled, then looked at Violette with a satisfied smile. "Looks like you can't wear that dress and jewelry. If you want, I can lend you my old dress."

Violette's hands clenched and trembled as she tried to hold back her anger. "Irene, watch your attitude in my den. Don't try to provoke me if you don't want to regret it."

Irene flicked her hair back over her neck with a haughty attitude, the cloying sweetness of night-blooming jasmine and warm honey rolling off her in waves, that acrid chemical undertone barely masked beneath. "Still pretending to be the Luna of this pack? Tsk, did you know that Hans and I mated on your bed?" She showed the bite mark on her neck, the skin bruised and raw where teeth had broken through. "Look, he's so wild and can't stop. He said he was bored to death when he was with you. You can't make him excited because you're like..."

Before Irene could finish her sentence, Violette slapped her hard. Her expression was very dark.

"Irene, you're just Hans' kept she-wolf. Hans doesn't even dare to claim you before the pack and show you to everyone. Don't overstep your bounds. I've been patient enough with you! If you provoke me again, you'll suffer the consequences."

Violette didn't want to waste her energy dealing with a mistress, especially since she was going to sever her bond with Hans. But Irene repeatedly provoked her, causing her patience to run out.

Irene glared at Violette with red, hate-filled eyes. Her lips curled into a cynical smile as she glanced at the door, seeing Hans approaching from a distance.

"You evil woman! How dare you hit my mom!" Damien shouted and bit Violette's hand.

"Damien, let go!" Violette shouted, pushing Damien away, but he bumped into the ironing board.

Irene suddenly grabbed Damien and protected him, just as the iron fell on her shoulder.

"Akhhh..." Her cry was loud. She cried as she hugged Damien in her arms. "Violette, I know Damien isn't your biological pup, but you don't have to burn him with an iron! He's just a little boy! You'd better burn me instead!"

"Irene!" Hans rushed in and took the hot iron away. He stood up and slapped Violette very hard.

"Violette, this time you've gone too far in hurting Damien and Irene!"

The slap was so hard that it tore the corner of Violette's lip. This was the first time Hans had ever hit her. The scent of charred oak and black iron flooded the chamber as his Alpha aura flared, pressing down on her like a physical weight. Her wolf, already battered, went completely still inside her chest.

Violette smiled bitterly as she wiped the blood from the corner of her lip.

"I didn't mean to hurt Damien. But Irene started the fight by destroying my dress and jewelry."

The second slap struck Violette's face again.

"Just because of a dress and some jewelry, you had the heart to burn Damien and Irene with an iron. Your heart is so cruel," Hans snapped. "You have to apologize to Irene!"

Violette gritted her teeth. "Don't you dare tell me to apologize to that bitch!"

"You..." Hans was about to hit her again, but seeing Violette's face already bruised and the corner of her lip torn, he lowered his hand, feeling guilty. However, when he saw Irene crying protectively as she hugged Damien, her back injured, his heart hardened.

He lifted Irene into his arms, then ordered the guards.

"Lock Violette in her quarters and don't give her food or drink until she apologizes."

Violette stared coldly at his back. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She wiped them away roughly.

*Enough, Violette. Don't cry for him anymore!*

---

Violette was locked up without food or drink. Her mother reached out again through the mind-link stone, asking why she had let Hans take Irene to the Blackthorn pack gathering in her place.

Apparently, to calm Irene down, Hans had taken her to the Blackthorn pack gathering and given her the finest dress and jewelry. They had claimed that Violette was ill and had asked her sister-in-law to replace her.

Even though they were in another territory, the Ashwood Pack received a steady flow of information about what was happening here.

Violette wiped her forehead, then ended the mind-link with her mother. Her ears hurt from hearing her mother's accusations.

After that night, Hans didn't come back to the den and took Irene and Damien on a tour through the Italian coastal territories, the Eastern wolf sanctuaries, and the Greek island packs.

Irene showed off their trip in memory stone recordings that she sent nonstop to Violette's mind-link stone. Everything, without exception, including intimate images and recordings of them tangled together in bed, Hans's bite marks fresh on Irene's skin.

Meanwhile, Violette was still locked up. The pack servant gave her food and drink, kept asking if she had apologized, and then reported it to Hans.

Violette survived by drinking water from the basin in her bathing chamber.

Hans extended her confinement until they returned from the trip.

When Violette thought she was dying and starving to death, she woke up in her chamber with a healer's infusion tube attached to her hand. The faint scent of lavender and rain-washed stone, her own scent, had gone thin and sour, like something wilting.

Hans sat on the side of the bed with a stiff face and guilt covered by an angry gaze.

"If only you had admitted your mistake earlier, this wouldn't have happened."

Violette covered her face. She didn't want to see Hans's face. The man who had torn her heart apart. Her wolf lay flat and silent somewhere deep inside her, barely a flicker. It didn't even lift its head at the sound of his voice.

Hans sighed.

"Violette, stop being stubborn and just apologize to Irene."

Irene appeared behind Hans. The sickly-sweet scent of jasmine and honey drifted in with her, and beneath it, that wrongness that always made Violette's wolf pace. She smiled understandingly and said softly, "Hans, it's okay. Violette is the daughter of the Ashwood bloodline. Of course, her pride is so high that she won't apologize to me, who is nobody."

Hans glared at Violette angrily.

"Being the daughter of the Ashwood bloodline has made you so arrogant!"