Chapter 5

Rowan returned the next morning with a prepared apology.

My wrist was wrapped in thick gauze, and the wound behind my shoulder had throbbed all night. The family doctor had recommended stitches, but the guards had not been authorized to let me leave for the hospital.

Rowan’s steps faltered when he saw the blood seeping through the bandage.

“I used too much force last night,” he said hoarsely. “That was wrong. When the press conference is over, I’ll take you to the hospital myself.”

I read the statement he handed me. It said that, driven by jealousy toward Serena, I had abused my Luna access to sabotage foundation equipment and create a serious public safety incident. Once I signed it, I would have confessed to everything.

“Do you truly believe I did it?”

Rowan looked away. “All the current evidence points to you.”

“That wasn’t my question. Do you believe it?”

Silence filled the room. His wolf shadow appeared between us, watching me restlessly but never coming to my feet.

“What I believe is no longer the issue,” Rowan finally said. “The foundation has just opened, and the Council and the press need an answer. Serena is willing not to contact the police or demand a pack tribunal. She is protecting you.”

“End the scandal first. If the investigation later proves you were framed, I’ll clear your name publicly and compensate you.”

So my innocence could be sacrificed for the pack now and returned whenever it became convenient for him.

His phone rang. Serena told him that the reporters and Council members had arrived and that she was afraid to face them alone.

“Don’t be afraid,” Rowan said softly. “I’m coming.”

After the call, he turned back to me. I placed the statement in a drawer.

“All right. I’ll apologize to her.”

Relief was immediate. He came closer and touched my cheek.

“I know you only acted this way because you care too much about me.” Love still filled his eyes, tender as though he had nearly lost me and found me again, “When this is over, I’ll rebuild the conservatory with you. We can go back to how we were.”

He believed I would yield for our bond, just as I had throughout the past seven years.

“Rest for now. The driver will collect you in an hour.” At the door, he looked back. “Maeve, don’t make me wait too long.”

When the door closed, I took out the statement, tore it into small pieces, and dropped them in the trash.

Caldwell had already filed the bond-dissolution agreement with the Moon Court.

Under Northcliff law, once I returned the Luna seal and left the territory, the agreement bearing both our signatures would take effect.

I lifted my final suitcase and entered Rowan’s study.

I removed my mate ring and set it in the center of his desk. Beside it, I placed my residence access card, the Luna seal, and the mate-bond dissolution agreement signed in his own hand.

I left no accusation and no final accounting of our seven years.

Caldwell waited at the side entrance with a temporary departure order issued by the Moon Court. Even under Rowan’s command, the guards had no authority to detain a Luna who had formally petitioned to dissolve her bond.

Rowan sent message after message while I traveled to the airport.

[How long until you arrive?]

[The Council is already here.]

[Serena is willing to accept your apology.]

[Stop behaving like a child.]

[When it’s over, I’ll take care of your injuries.]

I answered none of them.

As the plane took off, he called again. I switched off my phone, removed the SIM card, and left it in the seat-pocket trash bag.

An hour later, the plane crossed the border of Northcliff territory.

My mate mark suddenly burned. Then the symbol that had lived on my skin for seven years began to fade until it vanished completely. My mental link to Rowan broke at the same moment, leaving behind a silence I had never known.

I looked down at the unmarked skin.

This time, it was not his wolf choosing someone else.

I had stopped choosing him.

I did not want a love that would never choose me.