9

On the night of the full moon, I went to the Werewolf Elder Council alone.

The ancient council hall was hidden deep in the mountains. Seven elders sat around a stone table covered in runes.

"Sophia Blackwood," the Head Elder's voice was stern. "Are you certain you wish to apply to sever your mate bond?"

"I'm certain." I didn't hesitate for a second.

"The blood severing ritual is incredibly painful. Many werewolves don't survive it. Even those who do are often crippled for life, unable to mate with any Alpha ever again," the elder warned.

Listening to these consequences, my heart was strangely calm. "I've been dying every day for three years. Now, I just want to live again."

The elders were clearly shaken by my determination. The Head Elder slowly nodded. "In that case, let the ritual begin."

At midnight, I lay on the blood altar.

Intense pain hit me instantly. It was a tearing deep in my soul, like someone was slowly cutting open my heart with a dull knife.

"By the name of the Moon Goddess, sever your fated bond with Alexander Blackwood!"

The moment the dagger cut across my chest, a pain like lightning shot through my whole body. I couldn't help but scream. Blood trickled from my eyes, nose, and ears.

But strangely, deep inside, I felt lighter than I ever had before.

The huge weight that had been crushing my chest for three years was finally gone.

"Severed!"

In that instant, some string inside me snapped completely.

The last tie connecting me to Alexander was gone.

I was free.

I went home to get my luggage, but surprisingly, Alexander was there.

"Where'd you run off to?" He stood in the living room, dressed sharply in a suit. "It's our marking anniversary today. Were you out buying a present?"

I froze for a second, then remembered it really was the anniversary of our marking three years ago.

How ironic. The day my bond severance became official was the same day as our anniversary.

Every year on this day, I used to carefully prepare a gift, and he never remembered. This year, he suddenly remembered, but I didn't care anymore.

Did he even remember this was also the day our temporary mate bond agreement expired?

I nodded calmly. "Yeah, went to get a present."

The completely severed mate bond. That was my final gift to him.

"That day, when I announced Lily's status, it was unexpected. Don't worry about it," Alexander said, glancing at his phone. "I booked that French restaurant you love. Consider it my apology to you. And… a celebration of our union."

He made a move to take my hand.

But I didn't move.

"You, why aren't you moving?" He frowned.

I opened my mouth, but in the end, I didn't say the words of our final goodbye. "I still have a few things to take care of. You go on ahead. I'll be there soon."

Alexander didn't think much of it, just nodded and left.

I watched his car drive away through the floor-to-ceiling window until it disappeared around the corner.

For the first time in three years, he remembered our marking anniversary.

And for the first time, I didn't care at all.

I took the mate bond severance certificate out of my bag and placed it gently on the nightstand.

Next to it, I put the huge check he'd given me, the one I didn't need him to make good on.

The amount on it was enough for anyone from the slums to live like a king for the rest of their life.

But it couldn't buy back the moonstone bracelet my grandmother had put on my wrist, and it certainly couldn't buy back my three years of heartfelt love.

Picking up my already packed bags, I quietly closed the door and left.