Chapter 3

"I understand," I nodded. "I accept exile."

Marcus stood up in shock. "Elena, you don't have to—"

"No, Elder Marcus," I turned to him. "Since I am no longer Aiden's mate, it's only right that I follow the ancient customs."

A triumphant glint flashed in Cora's eyes.

"But before I leave," I continued, "I want to settle our debts. When I walk out that door, we will owe each other nothing."

Aiden frowned. "What debts?"

I took a tablet from my briefcase and pulled up a detailed financial report.

"Three years ago, my negotiations made the Iron Wolf Pack cede their mining rights in the eastern territories, bringing the Silvermoon Pack a profit of 1.2 billion dollars."

I swiped to the next page. "Two years ago, the business alliance I designed allowed us to absorb the territories of three smaller packs, valued at 800 million dollars."

"Last year, the energy project I spearheaded increased the Silvermoon Pack's annual revenue by 300%, with a net profit of 1.5 billion dollars."

With every number I read, Elder Marcus's face grew paler.

"In total," I said, looking around at everyone, "the direct economic value I created for the Silvermoon Pack is 3.5 billion dollars. The indirect value? The reputation, the political power? That is incalculable."

The room was dead silent.

“So today,” I closed the tablet, “I declare it all void. As of this moment, the Silvermoon Pack and I are even. We owe each other nothing.”

Marcus was aghast. "Elena, those achievements were made while you were part of the Silvermoon Pack..."

"They were made in my capacity as Aiden's mate," I cut him off. "Since that status has been revoked, everything associated with it should be nullified as well."

Aiden stared at me, his eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening us?"

"No," I shook my head. "I'm stating a fact. Legally, I have the right to retract every contract signed under my name."

That statement made everyone's face change.

Because the most important contracts had, in fact, been signed by me.

"But I won't do that," I continued. "Because as I said, we owe each other nothing."

Cora grew anxious. "Then what do you want?"

"I don't want anything," I looked at her. "But don't you dare think you'll get anything more from me, either."

A vicious light flickered in Cora's eyes. "Fine. Then hand over everything that belongs to the Silvermoon Pack."

"Such as?"

"The house you live in," Cora pointed out the window. "The Alpha's villa. It's worth five million dollars."

I nodded, took the keys from my purse, and placed them on the table.

"And the car you drive," Cora went on. "That Lamborghini. Eight hundred thousand dollars."

I put the car keys on the table.

"Your bank cards, credit cards, all your accounts," Cora grew more excited with each word. "As a rejected mate, you have no right to use any of the pack's resources."

I placed all my cards on the table.

Marcus looked at me with pity. "Elena, this is too much..."

"One more thing," Cora cut him off, pointing at my left forearm. "Get rid of that tattoo."

Everyone looked at my arm.

There was an intricate wolf's head tattoo there.

Aiden had marked me with it himself, a symbol of our mate bond.

"Cora, that's enough," Marcus finally snapped.

"Why is it enough?" Cora turned to Aiden. "Aiden, do you think a woman you rejected still has the right to wear your mark?"

Aiden looked at the tattoo on my arm, a flicker of pain in his eyes.

But he still nodded.

"I understand." I picked up Elder Marcus's silver letter opener from the table.

"Elena, don't," Marcus tried to stop me.

"It's okay," I smiled at him. "It's just a tattoo."

I raised the blade. Without hesitation, I carved it into my own skin. Right over the tattoo.

Silver is a werewolf's bane.

The moment it touched my skin, searing pain shot through me, a burning agony.

I felt my wolf spirit being forcibly torn, and a wave of nausea rose in my throat.

One cut. Two. Three.

With my own hands, I carved away the beautiful wolf he’d marked me with.

I butchered it.

Blood dripped onto the white floor, stark and shocking.

But I felt a strange sense of release.

That damned bond. I couldn't feel it anymore.

Cora watched my bleeding arm, a sick look of satisfaction on her face.

Aiden was pale as bone.

I put the blade down and took a tissue from my purse to dab at the wound.

"Is there anything else you need me to hand over?" My voice was still steady.

Cora looked at the clothes I was wearing. "The dress you're..."

"These are my own clothes," I cut her off. "I had them before I ever came to the Silvermoon Pack."

I slipped off my high heels, standing barefoot on the cold floor.

"These shoes, however, were bought by the pack. You can have them back."

I placed the shoes on the table, then turned and walked toward the door.

"Wait," Aiden said suddenly.

I stopped but didn't turn around.

"Where will you go?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

“Somewhere you’ll never find me,” I said, not turning back. “From this moment on, I am only Elena. And I am free of the Silvermoon Pack.”