3

A week later, Alex finally walked into this empty shell of a home.

"Tomorrow's the pack's annual meeting. You have to be there with me." He stood in the entryway, didn't even bother to take off his shoes.

I just calmly said, "Okay."

Then I quietly turned to get his slippers and house clothes.

I knew, before the Elders officially announced our mate bond was broken, this would probably be the last time I’d show up in public as "Alex Blackwood’s mate."

Alex seemed surprised I agreed so easily. He raised an eyebrow a little, but then his face went back to cold. "Good. Remember, in front of all the pack members, you're still my destined mate. Don't embarrass me."

The next night, I was on Alex’s arm, like some fancy but lifeless decoration, as he made the rounds with various elders and important pack members.

"Alex! You've been mated for three years now," the Head Elder’s sharp eyes darted between us, like he was trying to see through our fake peace. "When are you going to have the official blood-merging ceremony and produce an heir? The Blackwood family's pure bloodline needs to be secured soon. This can't be put off any longer."

"Head Elder, we—" Alex started to explain.

"There's nothing to explain." The Head Elder cut him off, his voice firm, heavy as a mountain. "Within one month, the ceremony must be done. This is the decision of the entire Elder Council, and an order from the family."

I could clearly feel Alex’s hand, still holding mine, tremble slightly from how hard he was gripping. His fingertips were ice cold.

"Yes, Head Elder," he said, bowing his head slightly in respect.

"Very good." A hint of satisfaction crossed the Head Elder’s face. He turned to me. "Sophia, you heard. In one month, you will be the truly recognized, one and only Luna of our Blackwood family."

I tried my best to pull up the corners of my mouth into a stiff smile. "Yes, Head Elder."

The one and only Luna?

They’d find out soon enough that this "one and only" was about to become ancient history.

Halfway through the party, Alex's mother, Matriarch Blackwood walked towards me.

"Sophia, come with me," she said, her voice as commanding and cold as always, without a hint of warmth.

I silently followed her to a quiet little cabin in the backyard.

"Sit." The Matriarch pointed to a single, hard wooden chair in the middle of the room.

I did as I was told, my back straight as a board.

"This is the pack's secret 'Moon Soul potion'," she said, slamming the vial down on the table in front of me. "Drink it. It will maximize your chances of conceiving. Within a month, you'll be pregnant with Alex's child, an heir with the purest Blackwood blood."

"I don't need this." I gently pushed the vial back towards her.

"Don't need it?" The Matriarch let out a cold, sharp laugh, her eyes like daggers raking over my face. "You've been mated for three years, and not even a whisper of a pup! And you have the nerve to say you don't need it?"

Only one thought was in my head: tomorrow, I was going to completely break my mate bond with Alex Blackwood.

Have his pup?

Absolutely not.

"I said, I don't need it." I slowly stood up, looking straight into the Matriarch's cold, commanding eyes.

"You worthless mutt with your tainted Omega blood!" the Matriarch suddenly shrieked hysterically. "You let that idiot Alex waste his core life force on that Omega tramp Lily's mother! Are you trying to kill him?! Are you trying to destroy the future of our Blackwood family?!"

Listening to these twisted, baseless accusations, all I felt was a deep, cold sadness.

Arguing was pointless. I turned, wanting to leave this suffocating place.

Just then, I clearly heard Alex's voice from the garden nearby.

He was on the phone, his tone softer and more tender than I’d ever heard it.

"Lily, baby, don't worry, I'll be there to be with you first thing tomorrow morning," his voice drifted in through the slightly open window. "Is your heat coming soon? I'll get everything you need ready beforehand…"

Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I spun around to see several tall male elders surrounding me, blocking the only way out.

The elder in the lead was holding a silver moonwhip.

The pack used it to punish members with impure blood or those who disobeyed orders. Every lash left a mark on your soul that would never fade.

The silver moonwhip slammed hard onto my back.

My dress tore open.

Agony shot from my spine and spread through my whole body.

"Now, are you willing to drink it?" the Matriarch’s voice was as cold as a snake.

The second lash came right after. My knees buckled, my body swayed, and I almost collapsed.

"Drink it, or not?"

The third lash landed. My back burned like it was on fire, like a hot poker had seared it. Warm liquid trickled down my spine. I knew it was my blood.

"I... will... not... drink it," I forced the words out through gritted teeth. Each word took every ounce of strength I had.

When the fourth lash hit, I finally couldn't take it anymore. Everything went black, and I crumpled to the ground.

"Pry her mouth open! Pour it down!"

The sound of Alex and Lily's flirting and laughter from the garden faded further and further away.

My consciousness was slipping…