Chapter 2: Dissolving Bonds, Rising Storms

(Grace's POV)

The space felt too large, too empty, even with Alexander looming on the other side of the room. His footsteps echoed against the floor as he paced, his jaw tight, his golden eyes flickering with frustration. He wasn't looking at me, though. He hadn't really looked at me in days—not since he'd handed me that document.

I stood by the window, watching the morning sunlight spill over the territory below. It should have been comforting—this view of the land I'd called home for four years. Instead, I felt hollow.

"It's settled, then," Alexander said. His voice was clipped, sharp. "We'll dissolve the bond formally after the ceremony. Three days."

I didn't turn. "I know."

"Until then," he continued, finally stopping to glance my way, "it's important we maintain appearances. With Helena’s health declining and the Council elections approaching, the pack can't afford any instability."

His words were calculated, practical. It all sounded so… cold. I nodded, keeping my voice even. "Of course. I'll keep up the act while I'm still here, if that’s your decision.”

That seemed to catch him off guard. He turned fully toward me, his eyes narrowing. "You’re taking this lightly."

I finally looked at him over my shoulder. My lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. "What else can I do, Alexander? My wolf can’t even feel the mate bond right now. Honestly, this delay doesn’t change anything for me."

His jaw clenched, the tension in his body radiating outward. "If you're that indifferent, I’ll make it simple." He stepped closer, the weight of his presence swallowing the space between us. "Should I go inform Victoria myself? Or will you do the honor?"

A surge of bitterness rose in me, but I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Do what you like. You two already share something I never could."

His eyes flickered toward my face for the briefest moment, then darted away, his expression unreadable. Something in his gaze darkened—anger, guilt, or something else entirely, but he hid it quickly.

"You're unbelievable," he muttered under his breath before turning on his heel. As he walked away, his eyes flashed red momentarily—his wolf stirred, restless.

"Unbelievable?" I murmured to myself, bitterness coating every word. "Yes, Alexander. I guess I am."

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving the room—and me—in silence.

---

Four years earlier

The memories came unbidden, pulling me into the past. Helena’s face flashed in my mind—the warmth of her soothing voice, the strength of her presence.

I was barely conscious when she found me at their borders that day, my body collapsing from exhaustion. Yet I remembered the way her light violet-gold eyes softened as she looked at me, an expression so full of concern that I’d thought, for a fleeting moment, my mother had returned from the grave.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she had said gently. “You’re safe now.”

Safe.

That was a lie. Even under Helena’s careful care, I didn’t truly feel safe until the moment I first locked eyes with him—Alexander.

I had been seated at the edge of the main hall when he approached under the weight of his Alpha’s responsibilities, his broad frame and commanding aura demanding attention. His golden eyes had met mine, and I’d felt it.

The bond. Instant, undeniable recognition.

My wolf, Moonlight, had surged forward in that moment, howling, crying out for him. She had known what we were to each other.

His piercing gaze had remained locked on mine, and for a fleeting second, I thought I’d seen something stir within him. But as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.

That same night, Helena announced our mating ceremony to the pack, her excitement clear as she spoke about her son’s destined mate. The healer wolf of their pack’s future.

But Alexander...

"Don’t make this more than it is," he had said coldly, handing me a stack of papers after the ceremony. "This bond—our mating—it’s a contract, nothing more."

I’d stared at him, my breath hitching. "What?"

"My heart belongs to someone else," he continued, his voice hard. "It always has and always will. This bond doesn't change that."

I clutched the papers, scanning the terms numbly. Four years. He intended for this arrangement to end in four years. I was nothing more than a temporary solution to a problem.

"Do you understand me, Grace?"

My hands trembled, but I nodded. What choice did I have?

It hurt. Goddess, it had hurt so much more than I thought possible. But I swallowed the pain and pressed my lips into a thin line.

"Understood, Alpha."

---

(Alexander's POV)

The air in the council meeting was tense, and I was no better.

I leaned back in my chair, my hands gripping the armrests tightly. Around me, the pack council droned on about election strategies, territory alignments, border patrols. It was all important. Necessary.

But my wolf refused to settle. He paced relentlessly in the corner of my mind, growling and snapping, and I couldn’t focus for long without his anger boiling over.

"Beta James," I barked, cutting into whatever topic had been under discussion. "Where is Grace?"

The council members glanced at each other, some curious, others wary. James kept his expression neutral as he cleared his throat.

"She’s moved most of her belongings to Lucas's territory," he reported. "They’re currently shopping in the neutral lands."

"Shopping?" My voice came out sharper than intended, and James hesitated.

"Yes, Alpha."

My wolf roared, and I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to crush something. Anything.

So, that’s how it was? She couldn’t even wait for the formal ceremony before prancing around neutral packs as if her position here didn’t matter anymore. She didn’t seem to care about our bond. About the years we had spent together as Alpha and Luna.

Another growl slipped from me, and I fixed James with a hard stare. "Start hunting for any wolf named Ethan in the neighboring territories."

"Alpha?" James blinked, clearly taken aback.

"Do it," I snarled. "And freeze her access to pack resources. If Grace Silver is so eager to abandon her Luna position, she doesn’t need Crimson Moon’s privileges."

James nodded reluctantly. "Understood, Alpha."

As he left the room, I slammed my hand on the table, the sound reverberating through the chamber.

My wolf snarled furiously in my head, its anger mixing with something I refused to name.

---

(Grace's POV)

The shops in the neutral territory bustled with wolves from all walks of life.

The noise was overwhelming, but my best friend Lucas's cheerful voice cut through it like a ray of sunlight, keeping me grounded.

He was a rare male Omega, who was also a respected healer. He had his own sanctuary in the neutral zone.

He walked beside me, a protective hand brushing my arm as we made our way through the crowded market district. “You need to pick something colorful, Grace!” Lucas teased, gesturing toward a rack of vibrant dresses. “No more of those somber Luna outfits.”

I rolled my eyes lightly, smiling at his antics despite myself. “I’m not shopping for a wardrobe overhaul, Lucas.”

We stepped into a boutique, and I reached for my wallet as the cashier rang up a few simple supplies. But when I handed her my card, she frowned.

"I’m sorry, Luna," she said hesitantly. "This card has been declined."

My heart sank, embarrassment prickling at my skin as I quickly rummaged for another form of payment. Lucas stepped forward, his warm amber eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to me.

“That’s unusual. Is it a mistake?” he asked carefully.

“No,” I murmured quietly, my stomach twisting. "It's Alexander. He must have canceled my access—"

Before I could finish, Lucas snatched the check Alexander had given me from my hand. “What’s this nonsense?” He squinted at the amount. “Fill in a billion dollars. That’ll teach Mr. Broody-Alpha a lesson.”

I blinked at him, caught off guard by his humor. And then, to both his shock and mine, I laughed.

"Fine," I said impulsively, grabbing a pen. With a flourish, I scribbled the amount into the blank space.

"You're actually doing it?” Lucas gaped, his voice rising in disbelief. “Grace—!"

I handed the check to the bewildered cashier, my smile widening as I spoke. "A billion for my freedom? It’s a fair deal."

And as Lucas burst into uncontrollable laughter beside me, I felt, for the first time in weeks, a weight lifting from my chest. Just a little. For just a moment.