Chapter 4

Layla's POV

I woke up as soon as the clock struck midnight on the day of the New Moon Festival.

The day Finn promised to announce our bond.

I folded and placed my last piece of clothing into my duffel bag.

“We're actually free!” Alana screamed excitedly in my head.

A small smile graced my lips. “Yes, we are. But why are you so happy? Won't you miss your mate?”

“Why wouldn't I be happy?” my wolf scoffed. “That Alpha is an idiot. I believe even his wolf is no exception.”

Our discussion was cut short by a knock sounding at the door.

I opened to see Finn, his face lit up in a bright smile. My chest fluttered, and my feet moved towards him before my brain could catch up.

He wrapped his arms around me and sniffed my neck. “You smell... different.”

I clenched my fists and wiggled out of his embrace. In a few hours, our mate bond would be

dissolved. I'll never feel drawn to him again.

“Maybe it's because you're excited about today,” he said, smiling. “You'll finally stand at my side as Luna.”

I arched a single brow and nodded.

His smile fell, and he sighed. “Layla, I am sorry. I know I've disappointed you a few times. But I promise that starting today, I'll never break any promises to you.”

I nodded stiffly. “I know.”

Finn held a single loose strand of my hair and twirled it in his fingers. “You chose a token from yesterday?”

“Yes. It just needs the elders' approval.”

His eyes lit up. “So you asked for a title in the pack? What rank or position did you ask for?”

His phone rang before I could reply, Adeline's voice echoing through the room.

“Finny... I'm so scared. Can you come?”

His back straightened. He quickly stepped away from me and picked up his jacket, not even noticing my half-packed bag on the floor.

“Layla, I'll have Derek drive you to the New Moon Festival. I promise this time, nothing will stop us.”

The door slammed shut behind him before I could nod.

I rolled my eyes and finished packing. Derek came to me a few minutes later.

“Luna.”

My gaze landed on the stack of documents in his hands.

It was time. I picked up my bag and followed him without a word.

The eight elders of the pack sat around the table, their expressions solemn.

After all, mate bond dissolution had only ever happened once in three centuries.

One by one, they reviewed the final token, with Finn's authorized stamp at the bottom.

The token of my freedom.

The head elder cleared his throat.

“Once this is completed, the mate bond dissolution cannot be reversed.”

“I understand.”

“For the final signing, we have summoned your mate.”

As expected, minutes passed, hours passed, and no sign of Finn.

I lowered my face, smiling. I knew he wouldn't come.

The head elder picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“What is it that requires my attention?” Finn barked into the phone.

“Alpha, Miss Layla is requesting approval of the—”

“Token, yes, I know. You're calling me for something so meager like it's a big deal. Approve it.”

The elder's face paled. Before he could say another word, Finn hung up.

The elders sighed and began signing. Within minutes, the final seal landed on the page.

A heart-wrenching pain suddenly broke out in my heart.

I gasped, clutching my chest as my knees hit the floor. His mark on my neck burned like a thousand lasers were being used on it.

My mind filled with thoughts of Finn, smiling at me, promising to choose me, marking me. Tears filled my eyes as the pain intensified. My nails dug into my skin, seeking relief.

Then... My vision went black.

Just for a few seconds.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt it. The familiar pull towards Finn, the way my body craved him, the desire to be accepted by him...

Was gone.

For the first time since my eighteenth birthday five years ago, I could no longer feel my mate.

My face broke into a smile, mixing with the tears already flowing.

“We're free,” Alana whispered.

“Yes, Alana, we are.”

A few minutes later, I stood at the southern border of Silvercrest Pack, my bag in hand.

Above me, the moon shone in all its glory. Behind me, music drifted through the pack.

The festival had begun.

I turned and looked at the pack one final time on what was supposed to be my day.

Then I whispered, “goodbye, Finn.”

The moment my left foot crossed the border, a terrifying howl shattered the calm of the night.

I froze.

A chill slid down my spine.

Finn.

Alana growled, “Layla, he knows. Run.”

As I moved to run, a hand clasped around mine, forcefully pulling me back into the pack.

I turned to see Derek, his face lowered, flanked by dozens of pack warriors.

“Luna...”

My grip tightened around my bag.

Derek gulped. “I'm sorry. The Alpha has ordered that nobody lets you leave.”