Chapter 3

Kael went still for a second, like he genuinely hadn't expected me to say it.

But the shock passed fast. He scoffed. Pure contempt.

"Ella, what game are you playing now? This is just a new trick to force me into bonding, isn't it?"

He leaned against the doorframe. "There's been a lot going on at the borders lately. I don't have time for this nonsense."

"We'll talk about the Moon Vow when I've handled everything."

I looked at him and almost laughed.

He was busy, all right. Busy taking Lysandra to the Moon Forest for training. Busy bringing her to power trials. He even personally inspected the residence the Elder Council was setting up for her.

And me, the woman who was supposed to be his mate, now had to wait until he was done dealing with Lysandra's business just to get a few words in.

When he saw I'd gone quiet, Kael took it as surrender. His tone softened a little. "Good. Let's leave it here."

"I have a border patrol tomorrow. I'll drop Lysandra off at the Elder Council on the way."

I didn't respond. I just turned around and started packing my things.

I was leaving.

But the next morning, the whole pack blew up.

Someone accidentally posted a clip.

In it, Lysandra was standing outside a jewelry shop, and Kael was bent over a display case, picking out a moonstone necklace for her.

[Just saw the Alpha at the jewelry shop! Picking out a necklace with Lysandra! He even clasped it behind her neck himself!]

The post was deleted within seconds.

Right after, Lysandra posted a photo of her own.

The necklace was gleaming around her neck, and she'd added a caption:

[Just a little accident during training. Alpha was worried I'd be uncomfortable, so he pushed back the Elder Council meeting to take me shopping. Don't read too much into it.]

The pack chat came alive.

[Since when is Kael that patient?]

[He pushed an Elder Council meeting for you? You must really be something special.]

[Is Ella going to be jealous?]

Lysandra didn't explain. She just sent a shy crescent moon emoji.

I stared at that photo for a long time. But inside, I felt nothing.

Turns out when you've truly given up, even jealousy feels pointless.

I packed my last piece of clothing and got ready to leave the Moon Chambers.

But the next day, I found that my pack ID badge had been taken, and my work desk had been cleared out and replaced with Lysandra's things.

I frowned at the guard on duty. "What's going on?"

He looked uncomfortable. "Kael gave the order. Said you've been in poor health recently and aren't fit to continue handling trade and diplomacy. Lysandra is taking over for now."

I nearly laughed out of anger.

Those responsibilities took me years to build.

The trade caravans, the border herb supply chain, the contracts with several affiliate packs. I negotiated every single one of them myself.

And now, just because Lysandra said she wanted to try a new field, Kael could hand my position over like it was nothing.

I reached out through the mind-link.

"Kael, why did you remove me from my duties?"

A pause on the other end. His voice was flat as ever. "Ella, you already decided to leave, didn't you? If you're not going to stay in the pack, someone has to take over."

"Lysandra's been wanting to learn management. I'm giving her a chance."

I looked at the contract scrolls on the desk, reorganized by someone else's hand. My chest ached. "That's everything I built over these years!"

Kael sounded like he'd just heard something childish.

"Those are pack resources, not your personal property. Don't make things bigger than they are just because you're upset."

I thought about all those years.

Holding border negotiations in blizzards. Going nights without sleep. Refusing to leave my post even with my wolf spirit injured.

Back then, Kael had held me and said: "Don't push yourself so hard. You've got me."

Turns out everything I'd fought to protect was just paving the road for Lysandra.

He spoke again. "I'm not at the pack right now. I don't have time for this."

"Come to the meeting tomorrow. Hand over pack affairs properly."

My throat burned. But my voice came out calm. "Fine."

After I hung up, I opened a message I'd received a few days ago.

From the Shadow Pack Alliance.

They were inviting me to join Shadow Pack and take charge of a new trade territory.

I looked at the contract. I finally typed my reply.

"Alpha Claire, I accept Shadow Pack's invitation."