Chapter 3

Cassian clearly never expected me to be the one to propose severing the bond.

He froze for an instant, then rage erupted across the link. Before he could snarl another word, I severed the connection.

Immediately, my pack-link exploded. Message after message hammered through, each one burning with his fury.

Where are you? Asha , have you lost your mind? I spared you because you carried my heir, and now you push further?

You think being pregnant protects you? I’ll dissolve this bond so fast you’ll be crawling on your knees begging me to sign the birth papers when you deliver!

And the news on the public channel—retract it now! Don’t force me to expose your true face to the entire territory!

I didn’t read another line. I purged every message and blocked his signature completely.

Even though I’d died by his hand in the previous life, this fresh betrayal still sent a blade through my heart.

The healers entered to change my dressings, gossiping freely, unaware of my expression.

"The Alpha downstairs is magnificent," one sighed. "I’ve never seen a pair so well-matched! Childhood friends raised in the same den, fated companions—how romantic!"

"You’re behind on the news," another laughed. "The latest is that Cassian paid a fortune to commandeer the healing house kitchen just to brew her marrow-broth personally every day!"

"When I tried to apply her salves earlier, he wouldn’t let me touch her. Insisted on doing it himself. True mates are such a joy to witness!"

...

I stared numbly at the puncture marks on my forepaw. The skin sloughing off my arm itched and burned beneath the bandages.

Once they left, I gasped for air, mouth opening wide to draw in oxygen that refused to reach my lungs.

That evening, the head healer examined me. He said the heavy blow to my abdomen had caused permanent damage. I would likely never conceive again.

My first reaction, strangely, was relief.

Thank the Moon. No pup would suffer with me now.

Innocent lives deserved better fates.

Once the chamber emptied, I checked the public channel. The public opinion storm had grown unstoppable, forcing the Elder Council to issue a statement.

But their explanation was that the fire had been entirely orchestrated by me.

That out of jealousy, I had deliberately harmed another.

That I had wasted the rescue patrol’s resources and dragged their honored Alpha into disgrace.

In the projection, the Elder spoke of peace, but every word planted blame squarely on my shoulders.

To add credibility, Cassian had registered his official account and broadcast our mating confirmation to the entire territory.

His move nailed me to the pillar of shame. The curses once aimed at the rescue patrol turned and crashed over me like a tidal wave.

My public channel was flooded, my access revoked by the moderators.

My attempts to explain drowned in the howling of the mob.

In the days that followed, I felt the hostility radiating from every healer who entered my chamber. If not for their professional oaths, I would have been thrown out onto the streets.

Each morning brought packages from across the territory—every one containing threats.

I never deAsha ded myself once.

Only on the day the healer cleared my discharge did I send Cassian a single message.

"Tomorrow. The Elder Hall. Finalize the dissolution."

He seized the opening, calling back immediately.

"Finally showing your face? I warned you. I gave you chances. You refused to retract the news, so don’t blame me for what comes next."

"If Eira hadn’t begged me to spare you, I’d have reported you to the enforcers already. Dissolve the bond—fine! But when you deliver that pup and have no sire to sign the birth records, don’t come crying to me!"

He severed the link before I could speak.

I opened my den’s security crystal and copied the footage of Eira pouring the accelerant.

The next morning, after discharge, I took my documentation and headed straight for the Elder Hall.

But when I arrived, it was Eira waiting on the steps.

"I told you," she smiled, eyes glinting with malice. "You never win. Your mate is merely my devoted hound."

Her gaze dropped to my abdomen. She feigned shock.

"Oh! The abomination is gone? How tragic. Last life, her sire killed her with his own jaws. This life, he killed her with neglect. With a mother like you, she was doomed to be short-lived..."

She was reborn too?

Before my mind could process, my claws struck.

I slapped her across the face.

Weak from blood loss, I had no strength, yet she collapsed with theatrical grace.

"Eira!"

Cassian charged from behind me. His shoulder slammed into my back, hurling me sideways.

I tumbled down the stone steps, rolling until my skull cracked against the base, blood streaming down my face.

Cassian gathered her into his arms, crooning soft apologies. Then, as if remembering something, he whipped his head toward me.

His eyes locked onto my belly.

Flat. Empty.

His face drained of color.

He rushed over, trying to scoop me into his arms.

"The pup—" His voice cracked, raw and terrible. "Where is the pup?!"