(Soraya’s POV)

Jareth did not come inside.He remained outside the door.

I walked into the pack law firm.

The Chief Pack Attorney,Eldran Evergrove,was furious.Documents were scattered across the floor where he had thrown them.

Seeing me,he pointed at me and barked,“Soraya,have you completely lost your senses?!Leaking files this important?You're suspended from the Moon Council Law Firm effective immediately.”

I let out a slow breath,keeping my voice calm.

“Chief Eldran,I'm officially resigning.”

Shock flashed across his face.He crossed the room quickly and stopped in front of me.

“I just said suspended,Soraya.Once this storm passes,you'll come back.There is no reason to resign.You have an incredible future ahead of you.”

“Besides,you and Jareth fought harder than anyone to enter this firm together.Are you really willing to walk away from him?”

Back when we graduated from the Royal Moon Academy,Jareth and I had been full of dreams and ambition.

We fought our way into this prestigious law firm together.And over many winters,we built a reputation throughout the Blackmoor City.

Whenever people heard our names,they paid attention.During those times,we had spent countless nights working on the same cases.We sat through each other's hearings just to offer support.

But now,it was over.

When Eldran realized my decision would not change,he patted my shoulder.

“No matter where you go,you'll achieve great things,Soraya.”

“I'll gather everyone together and give you a proper farewell.”

“And don't worry.I won't tell Jareth.Mating bonds break all the time.Just take care of yourself.”

I was carrying my belongings out of the office when Jareth stopped me.A trace of panic flickered across his face.

“The Chief Attorney suspended you over something this small?I'll speak with him.”

My voice came out soft,“I'm taking some time away.I'm going to the Ravenvale Moon Kingdom to clear my mind.”

At that moment,I wanted him to hear the words I left unsaid.I wanted him to ask me not to leave.

He didn't.

The panic faded from Jareth's face.

In its place was calm indifference.

“What happened this time was too much.Merryn went too far.”

“When you come back,I'll take you to the northern kingdoms to watch the Moon Lights.”

“I've been busy with pack matters.I still owe you a mating journey.I'll make it up to you.”

There was no need.I was never coming back.

He did not see me off.

To him,the reason was obvious.

Merryn had another appointment at the Healer's Hall.

I watched him walk away.Then I sent two messages.

[I'm in.I'll come to Ravenvale and become your partner.]

[Devris,I agree to become your mate.But I have one condition.Help me move every Wildbriar Clan asset overseas.]

Jareth…it was over between us.

On the journey home,a large transport wagon suddenly crashed into my carriage.

The impact was violent.I became trapped beneath the wreckage.

Blood spread beneath me.A sharp pain tore through my abdomen.I could barely breathe.

My communication crystal had been thrown several feet away.

Using every bit of strength I had left,I dragged myself toward it and called Jareth.

“Jareth,help me...I've been in an accident.”

His voice instantly became urgent.

“Where are you?I'm coming right now.Don't move.”

The connection suddenly ended.

Before I could say another word,the call was cut off.My hands trembled as I called again.

This time,Jareth sounded annoyed.

“Sora,enough!I'm at Merryn's follow up examination and I'm busy.”

“Stop playing these games.You're not a young pup anymore.”

“If you've been in an accident,contact the Pack Guard,or call the emergency line.”

Then he ended the call once more.

Two men dressed in black leaped down from the transport wagon and walked toward me.

Their voices were cold as winter ice.

The words they spoke made my blood freeze.

(Soraya’s POV)

“Damn it!This is the woman who leaked those confidential case files on purpose.The Pack Guard is hunting us again because of her!”

“Isn't she supposed to be the heiress of the Wildbriar Clan?We'll capture her,demand a ransom from her family,then get rid of her.”

They moved quickly.

Before I could even cry for help,they dragged me into a black transport carriage.

A storage warehouse.

I lay on the cold stone floor,barely conscious.

One after another,they activated communication crystals and made calls.

“Soraya Clawson?Let her die.I'm not paying a single coin.”

“I already told you I'm busy.Stop helping her with these ridiculous games.”

The connection ended.

One of the men looked at me in confusion.

“Her father doesn't care about her.Her mate doesn't care either.She's worthless.”

A blade slid from its sheath.

The man holding it walked toward me,his eyes dark and empty.

“Lady Merryn Wildbriar already paid us fifty million gold coins to kill her.We're already doomed.We might as well take the money and disappear.”

Before anyone could act,another man grinned and rubbed his hands together.

“Wait.Don't kill her yet.”

He yanked open my collar and looked me over.

“Look at her.Let's have some fun first.”

I kicked him with all the strength I had left,and the impact knocked him backward.

At the same time,my fingers found a broken piece of glass on the floor.

I secretly cut through the ropes around my wrists.

The moment I was free,I put every bit of strength into running toward the door.

Behind me,they chased after me like wild wolves,shouting curses.

Then I heard it.

Sirens.

Far away,but getting closer.

“Someone's coming!Shoot her!She's seen our faces!”

“Damn it!”

Bang!

A bullet pierced through my back.Blood sprayed into the air.

I crashed hard onto the ground.

The next time I became aware of my surroundings,all I could hear was the steady beeping of a healing monitor.

Moon healing devices flashed repeatedly.

A healer's voice rang beside my ear.

“Soraya!Stay with us!”

“Think about something beautiful in your life!”

“Think about someone who loves you!”

My life…

Dragged across distant territories by traffickers.Digging through scraps and leftovers just to survive.Eating discarded food from rubbish piles…

After those criminals were caught,I became a hollow shell.

I did whatever I could just to stay alive.

Then I met Jareth.

He became the only light in my world.

We studied at the Royal Moon Academy together.We fought for justice throughout the Blackmoor City together.He even gave up his family's expectations just to stay by my side.

Then my mother died…the only person who truly loved me.

And after that,Jareth stopped loving me too.

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes.The pain was unbearable.

The healer suddenly shouted,“She's losing too much blood!Contact the blood bank immediately!Her life signs are collapsing!”

A nurse stammered nervously.

“Healer,the blood bank refuses to release the supply.Jareth Wolfhart ordered all of it reserved for his mate.He said his mate was injured and the blood must remain on hold.”

The healer's face darkened.

“His mate only has a minor wound that will heal by tomorrow morning!This is ridiculous!”

“Contact the second Healer's Hall immediately!”

Grief and rage crushed my chest.I could barely breathe.

Jareth...

If you knew I was dying,would you still have done this?

Images flashed through my mind.

Every cruel thing Merryn had done.

Every time Cairos punished me and blamed me for her mistakes.

Why should the people who destroyed my life walk away without consequences while I bled to death?

No…

I refused.

I would survive.And I would drag every one of them into the abyss with me

When I finally woke again,the healer stood beside my bed.He opened and closed his mouth several times.It looked like he could not find the words.

“Lady Clawson,the accident caused severe injuries.The pup didn't survive.”

“Because treatment was delayed for too long,the damage is permanent.You will never be able to carry another pup.”

“I'm sorry.We did everything we could.”

I stared silently out the window.

The moment the door closed,I broke down.

“I'm sorry,Little One.Mother is so sorry.”

My communication crystal suddenly lit up.

[Lady Soraya Clawson,your immigration documents have been approved ahead of schedule.Welcome to the Ravenvale Moon Kingdom.]

[All Wildbriar Clan assets have been transferred.]

[Also,regarding the matter you asked us to investigate,Lady Merryn Wildbriar is Cairos Wildbriar's illegitimate daughter.Your mother,Lady Marisel Silverhart’s death was not natural.]

I gripped the bedsheet tightly.My knuckles turned white.

The grief nearly tore me apart.

A moment later,another message arrived.It was from Merryn.

[Sora,even if you died,Jareth wouldn't look at you twice.]

[Father and Jareth are taking me to the Moonshadow City for treatment right now.]

[Just give up.]

No more peaceful endings.No more walking away quietly.

I would send every single one of them into hell.And I would make them pay for everything.

Three days later,Jareth opened his communication crystal and saw a post from one of his colleagues.An uneasy feeling instantly settled in his chest.

[What farewell gathering?Who's leaving the firm?]

The reply came almost immediately.

[Attorney Jareth Wolfhart,you didn't know?]

[Attorney Soraya Clawson resigned.]

[We held her farewell banquet today.]