Chapter 4

The healer signed my release. He pressed a vial into my hand, pity stinging worse than silver.

"Move as if through deep snow," he murmured, avoiding the mark on my throat. "Another wound could scatter what remains."

I scratched my signature and stumbled into mountain air. The hollow where my wolf lived ached with every step.

I half-believed Leon might wait at the gates. He was not there. What had I expected from an Alpha who left me for dead twice in one moon?

The packhouse throbbed with life. Laughter echoed off timber beams. Azure and gold banners hung from rafters—symbols of spring births.

An oak arch framed the entrance, carved with words that stopped my breath:

"Blessings Upon the Heir Luca Ashford."

Not merely Lysandra 's pup-blessing.

Tonight marked the second turning of our mating. The anniversary of when Leon marked me beneath the full moon.

Not a single white iris—blooms I had planted myself—graced any corner.

Leon's beta fell silent as I limped through the doors, eyes crawling over me with mock sympathy.

"There she walks. Cannot fathom why she stays."

"Word is her wolf is dead. Barren. Besotted fool."

Each whisper sliced, but I kept my chin lifted.

Lysandra stood at the center, radiant in silk the color of fresh blood, belly round beneath—the heir who replaced mine. Leon stood beside her, adjusting the ceremonial mantle over her shoulders, expression soft, reverent, the way he once looked at me.

"Seraphine," he said curtly, barely turning. His Alpha presence pressed against my skin, demanding submission. "You return. Elders arrive within the hour. Prepare the ritual feast."

My voice emerged steady. "Of course. I would not shadow your celebration."

He frowned, irritated.

Lysandra turned with that syrupy smile. "Oh, Seraphine! The roasted game awaits, but I lack my nourishment tonic. You always brewed it so skillfully."

I frowned. "Summon an attendant."

"Oh..." She let her voice falter, hand on the belly that held what mine had lost. "You possess such gift for the herbs..."

Leon stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, turning to me with that hard gaze. "You have no other occupation. Make yourself useful."

I limped toward the kitchen when her voice followed.

"Seraphine, might you also fetch the territorial scrolls from Leon's study? He promised me the eastern hunting grounds today."

I entered the study. The deed to the eastern range—the lands I had begged for, denied as "too valuable." Now given to her, her mark etched on the border as if she held claim.

I laughed, hollow as wind through caves.

I slipped the Bond Severance Scroll—severing my claim on his pack, his territory, his name—beneath the land deed.

I carried them to the great hall.

Leon barely glanced. He scratched his signature onto both with the silver stylus I had gifted him on our first anniversary, without reading a word.

"At least if you cannot bear pups, you remain useful," he said, tone cutting, eyes cold. "Even a she-wolf without wolf has purposes."

I bit back blood-taste, carrying scrolls toward the kitchen. Beyond sight, I separated the Bond Severance Scroll from the deed, clutching them to my chest.

Once I sign my name, our bond will be severed.

Only a few more days. Then I run.

...

By the time elders arrived, the hall blazed with torchlight. Lysandra glowed at the center, surrounded by high-ranking females, accepted as if she belonged.

I stood in shadows near the hearth, invisible in mourning clothes.

Leon's mother swept in, midnight fur cloak, ceremonial fangs gleaming.

"Lysandra , my dearest!" she exclaimed, pressing cheek to cheek. "Radiant! Finally, a worthy heir!"

Her sharp eyes found me. "Seraphine. You returned."

"Yes, Luna Mother."

She sniffed, lip curling. "You should have stayed in the healing den. You bring ill fortune. Could not protect a pup, yet you cling to my son's pack? As if the bond excuses failure?"

Lysandra placed gentle hand on her arm. "Please, don't speak so. Seraphine did not intend..."

The elder sighed dramatically. "Too generous, Lysandra . A she-wolf without wolf should learn submission. No wonder Leon lost interest. Alphas need heirs, not broken omens."

Laughter rippled. I clenched fists, nails drawing blood.

"My pup did not die because I am barren," I said, voice carrying across silence. "He died because your son slaughtered him. Because the bond meant nothing against his first love."

The hall fell still.

Leon's jaw tightened. "Seraphine!"

"She orchestrated it!" I shouted, pointing at Lysandra. "She demanded his marrow for her sickness! You killed our pup to save her!"

Gasps echoed.

For a heartbeat, Leon looked uncertain. Eyes flickering between us.

Then Lysandra flinched, covering mouth, eyes wide with manufactured tears, hand protectively on her belly.

"I... I cannot believe you speak such lies," she whispered, breaking perfectly. "I never wanted this. Leon, please, don't let her destroy tonight."

"Enough," Leon said, voice dropping to that velvet-soft register that once made me feel safe. Now it froze my blood. "You humiliate yourself. This is Lysandra 's blessing, not your theater of grief."

I stepped back, tears burning. "Do you remember what tonight is?"

He blinked. "What?"

"Our mating anniversary. The night you marked me."

Silence. Then laughter—cruel, biting—from elder females.

Lysandra smiled faintly. "Oh, I had not realized. Dates slipped my mind."

Leon's mother chuckled. "Do not create scenes. This celebrates new life, not your failure to hold your mate."

My throat closed.

Before I could speak, Lysandra gasped, doubling over, clutching her stomach. "Leon... the pup! Something burns inside!"

He rushed to her side, predatory speed, forgetting me. "Lysandra ! What?"

Between sobs, she whispered, "It is Seraphine. She prepared the tonic earlier. I tasted silver... I told her I have death-sensitivity!"

Chaos erupted. Elders snarled, eyes glowing with accusation.

"What kind of she-wolf poisons an heir?"

"Feral with jealousy!"

"Wants to murder the future Alpha!"

"Seraphine!" Leon roared, fury blazing, Alpha authority crushing down on me like weight. "What have you done?! If anything happens to them, I will hunt you to the ends of this territory, bond or no!"

My lips parted. No sound. I wanted to scream lies, that I would never touch silver, that the bond should mean he knew my truth.

He lifted Lysandra into his arms, cradling her like glass, turning away without another glance.

"I am taking her to the shaman. Do not follow. Do not speak to me until I summon you."

The doors slammed, echo ringing through my bones like a death knell.

I stood alone in the hall center, surrounded by whispers and retreating backs, laughter fading as they followed their Alpha.

I touched the scroll case hidden in my bodice. His signatures—severing his claim to half his territory, dissolving our bond the moment I crossed into my father's lands.

A bitter smile curved my lips, sharp as a fang.

"Happy anniversary, Leon," I whispered to empty hall. "You just signed your kingdom away—and broke the bond I was fool enough to believe you honored."