I lightly tapped the communication token, and subsequent messages surfaced—every one was a record of his devotion during those three years. He informed me how the Silverfang pack had become formidable under his leadership and how he dedicated prayers to me every night of the full moon.

Liam stated solemnly, "I'll always be waiting for you, regardless of the time or the circumstances, Elena. It is my solemn pledge to you, Elena, as the man who swore to be your guardian."

Liam's messages spoke volumes of sincerity and profound affection. His feelings seemed all the more genuine and warm compared to Damon's chilling betrayal.

I couldn't help but cry at that thought, my tears falling onto the communication token and briefly intensifying its faint glow.

…

It was the following morning when Sebastian White, the butler, knocked on my door, saying, "You are required to accept these gifts, Luna Elena."

"What gifts?" I asked as I opened the door and stepped out.

Sebastian stood in the living room, holding a thick roll of parchment stamped with an official seal. He then handed it to me, saying, "Alpha Damon has granted you full ownership of the forest on the eastern border, as well as three mines situated in the northern highlands and two fishing preserves along the western tributary, Luna Elena."

I took the parchment and quickly read over the numerous, tightly packed terms, noting that these were the Blackwood pack's most prosperous lands. "How much are these worth?"

Sebastian looked at me tentatively before replying, "They are worth approximately 80 million dollars. Alpha Damon has said that they are meant as compensation for you, Luna Elena."

It was a hefty sum that was enough to buy out a medium-sized pack. I was still sickened by Damon, though. I tossed the parchment onto the coffee table, a profound and cutting irony filling my very being.

Did he really think that money could restore my faith in him or keep me bound to his side as a mere tool? It would only deepen my resentment either way.

I still kept the assets, though, as it was necessary capital for my planned departure.

I made up my mind and walked to the communication token. I gently touched the runes on the surface and began recording a reply. "I have received your messages, Liam. I want to see you again. I want to leave this place, Liam."

I activated the communication token's transfer mechanism once I finished recording my message. It flashed silver, and the message vanished into the air, traveling across thousands of miles toward Candonia.

I resolved to live life on my own terms this time.

…

It was already evening when Damon showed up at my door, wearing a formal black suit. He simply stated, "It's the Blood Moon Festival tonight, so you'd need to accompany me as the Luna of the pack, Elena."

It was a sacred, annual ritual honoring the lineage of the very first Alpha, a mandatory assembly for all the most powerful and influential members of the surrounding packs.

I kept my gaze down, fixated on the cup of coffee in my grasp.

Damon stated gravely, "You ought to know that the foundation of the alliance demands security. It is important for the Council of Elders to observe our unbroken bond harmony, Elena."

"You need me to put on an act with you, huh?" I asked, the mockery in my voice sharp and deliberate.

"You can think of it that way if that is truly how you choose to see it," he replied, sounding rather rigid.

"Alright then," I replied, agreeing to Damon's proposal. I thought that this Blood Moon Festival offered the perfect moment to cut all bonds permanently.

…

That evening, the Blood Moon Festival took place at the very heart of the pack's territory. There was a gigantic bonfire that illuminated the entire ceremonial platform, and the Elders of all major packs were seated in their traditional garb around the stone circle.

I walked beside Damon, wearing the silver gown traditionally worn by the Luna of the pack. I had worn this exact gown before our wedding, but now it felt like an outfit meant for a final goodbye.

"Good evening, Luna Elena!" Chief Elder Dominic rose to his feet to welcome us.

It wasn't long before the ritual priests commenced the recitation of the ancient supplications, while the glow of the massive bonfire danced and played across the faces of all present.

It was then that I saw a familiar figure—Isabelle, who occupied the most conspicuous seat in the honored section, her pregnant belly visibly showing.

I was stunned, the smile on my face immediately faltering.

In the meantime, the Council of Elders began to debate the critical matter of carrying the line, which had always been a customary segment of the Blood Moon Festival. Chief Elder Dominic spoke up, saying, "Alpha Damon, as for your heir, a robust bloodline is essential to secure the future of the pack."

I felt a crushing vise tighten around my heart, and the wolf within me, long quieted by the potent Shadowmoon Drug, let out a mournful howl. It was a physical, rending pain that stole my breath—a howl for the pup that would never be and the monstrous betrayal of my mate.

Damon replied, "About that matter…"

I could no longer hear what he was saying. I could only register the painful howling of the wolf within me—a consciousness that had been irreparably wounded, deeply betrayed, and relentlessly tortured by the effects of the drug.

It was then that one of the Elders beside me looked at me with concern, asking, "Is everything alright, Luna Elena?"

"I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired," I replied with a strained smile. I knew that everything was going to be different after tonight, though.

"I'd like to thank the Moon Goddess for her blessing, esteemed Elders!" Isabelle suddenly stood up from her seat, her overly sweet and triumphant voice seizing the attention of everyone present.

She stroked her pregnant belly with one hand while pulling Chief Elder Dominic’s hand with the other. She then guided his hand to rest on her belly, her features radiating a smug, triumphant pleasure. "I just felt the pup move! You have to feel this immense life force firsthand, Chief Elder Dominic!"

Chief Elder Dominic exclaimed with delight, "What a powerful Alpha bloodline! It is undoubtedly the divine blessing bestowed by the Moon Goddess!"

I gripped the chair's armrest so tightly that my fingernails sank deep into the ancient timber.

Isabelle shot me a knowing look before saying, "That's right, Chief Elder Dominic. You see, not all women are worthy of the Moon Goddess' grace—some bloodlines are simply unable to carry on the Alpha's lineage."

In that instant, the Council of Elders launched into quiet discussion, watching the two of us with assessing, calculating eyes.

Isabelle spoke with feigned pity, continuing, "It had been three long years, yet you never earned the Moon Goddess' blessing, Elena. I guess that's just how destiny intended it."

I was hit by an intense, stabbing pain in my chest, feeling as though my soul itself was being ripped apart.

Isabelle raised her glass to me with deliberate poise, saying, "It's fine, Elena. In honor of the pack's future, let's observe the time-honored custom of our kind and drink this toast of goodwill."

In that instant, everyone's attention turned to me.

I looked at the glass of wine, its deep crimson liquid shimmering like blood in the flickering flames.

Damon leaned in and whispered, "You should just drink to it and stop putting me in an awkward position, Elena."

"Why should I?" I turned to look at Damon.

He replied flatly, "It's for the sake of the bigger picture, so don't humiliate the entire gathering."

I looked into his eyes, noting that they were filled with nothing but calculation and cold indifference.

It was then that one of the Elders spoke up, saying, "Please don't keep Ms. Turner waiting, Luna Elena."

I got up from my seat and, under the fixed gaze of the entire gathering, walked toward Isabelle and accepted the glass of wine.

"You should drink up, Elena," Isabelle mentioned, her smile becoming increasingly triumphant.

I lifted the glass and surveyed the crowd. I noted the hopeful eyes of the Elders, the curious looks of the pack, and Damon's cold indifference. I then said calmly, "I suppose I really should drink this wine."

I, however, stopped just as the rim of the glass neared my lips. I looked at Isabelle and said, "I do have a question, though. Why do you assume I should remain friendly with you, Isabelle?"

Her triumphant smile instantly froze.

I then raised my voice, continuing, "You not only snatched my mate, but you're also currently pregnant with his pup. You paraded your condition before me, and now you have the audacity to offer me a supposed 'toast of goodwill,' huh?"

Damon stood up, his tone hardening with a sharp warning. "You'd better stop acting out right now, Elena! Your behavior is completely out of line here!"

"You actually think I'm being out of line here?" I turned to Damon, my eyes blazing with rage.

Damon's tone intensified, becoming even more unforgiving. "You're clearly being overly sensitive right now, Elena! You prove yourself incapable of weathering even this minor adversity!"

I completely lost it after hearing that. I shouted on top of my lungs, my voice reverberating through the entire pack. "You actually said I'm being overly sensitive? I had spent three years silently bearing your indifference and all your deception, Damon! How dare you accuse me of being overly sensitive!"

I then violently hurled the glass onto the group, causing the crystal glass to shatter on the stone floor and the red wine to spray out, leaving a striking, blood-red mark on the venerable stones.

I started chanting the ancient bond-severance incantation, and before long, a golden light surged outward from my body. "In the name of the Moon Goddess, in the glory of the First Alpha, I, Elena Johnson, with all the Elders as witnesses, formally sever my bond with Damon Slater!"

Chief Elder Dominic immediately stood up, yelling, "Stop! You'll break the alliance!"

It was already too late, though, as my voice cut through the night, yelling, "I am no longer anyone's Luna from tonight onward! I refuse to become anyone's tool of convenience!"

I felt an unseen spiritual shackle within me shatter the exact moment the incantation ended. It was the feeling of the mate bond being severed—though it was agonizing, it felt liberating.

I simply turned and walked away from the ritual site. I ignored the stunned gaze of the crowd and walked toward the parking lot. I heard a chorus of confusion, arguments, profanities, and Damon's enraged voice, but I didn't look back.

…

I already have a driver waiting for me outside, and my plane ticket was already secured. I landed in a foreign territory 12 hours later, and despite the bustling airport, I immediately located the familiar silhouette in the throng at the gate.

It was Liam, who retained his handsome features and gentle demeanor, but now with traces of seasoned maturity in his gaze.

Liam's eyes immediately welled up with tears the moment he spotted me. He strode toward me, his voice catching in his throat, filled with palpable sorrow. "It's been three years, and the wolf within you has faded so much, Elena."