Chapter 6

WINTER

The past two weeks had been a blur of nightmares. I never imagined that a single piece of news could upend my life so completely, but it had. Crystal’s pregnancy spread like wildfire through the pack. Kallias hadn’t tried to hide it; in fact, I think he wanted everyone to know.

And what cut the deepest? It was how our pack reacted to it. An Alpha fathering a child with another woman after taking a Luna would be met with shame. But in our pack, they greeted Crystal’s pregnancy with smiles as if it were a blessing.

Since our healer confirmed it, Crystal’s life had changed overnight. Kallias moved her out of the maids’ pavilion and onto our floor, into a room far closer to his than mine. He hadn't realized what he did wasn't something wise but I don't think he cares.

This morning, after my routine visit to the pack’s orphanage, one of the duties that came with my title as Luna, I caught some maids gossiping in the castle hall.

“Then what will happen to Luna Winter if Crystal becomes the new Luna?”

I froze mid-step, my head turning toward the cluster of omegas gathered at the end of the corridor.

“She’ll be stripped of her title, of course. She can’t give this pack an heir. No matter how much Alpha Kallias loves her, what good is a barren Luna?”

“If you’ve been paying attention, you’d have seen Alpha’s been watching Crystal ever since she moved here. I’ve seen how his eyes follow her like he can’t help himself. He wants her.”

My knees wavered. I gripped the stairs’ railing so hard my knuckles ached.

Hot tears blurred my vision, but this isn't from sadness. What burned in my chest was anger.

Had I been so blind all this time that I hadn’t seen my mate eyeing other women?

I needed answers. I was just about to turn toward the maids when I saw Julian walk toward me. He stopped before me.

“Julian?”

“Luna, are you crying?” His voice was soft, almost hesitant.

I quickly averted my gaze, blinking the tears away as if I could erase the evidence.

Julian’s eyes dropped to the floor, his expression shifting with regret. “I’m so sorry, Luna Winter.”

My pain had become public knowledge in the castle since the news spread, something whispered about in the same breath as scandal.

“I may not be coming to you at the right time,” He began, his tone apologetic, “but I really need your help.”

“Say it, Julian.” I straightened my spine.

I might be broken but I was still the Luna of this pack. If my people needed me, I would not turn away.

“I haven’t been able to reach Alpha Kallias since yesterday, he said he was too busy to see anyone. I have an important letter from one of our allied packs.” He lifted an envelope, its wax seal still unbroken. “Do you think you could take it to him?”

"Sure."

Julian handed me the envelope and I took it. He offered a respectful dip of his head before turning away. Clutching the letter, I started toward Kallias’s study.

Was Kallias all right? I hadn’t spoken to him in two weeks.

The closer I drew to the black wooden door of his study, the heavier the pressure in my chest became. The image of him and Crystal together flashed in my mind again. I forced myself to look straight ahead as I passed Crystal's room.

But then I heard it.

“Fuck. You’re so tight and warm. You were made for me, weren’t you?” Kallias’s breathless voice slid into my ears like a blade.

I froze, my pulse thundering.

My feet betrayed me, moving closer to the half-open door despite the jagged pain lancing through my chest.

“Whose pussy is better? mine or that boring, plain Winter’s?” Crystal asked.

Her jet-black hair swung in a rhythm as she rode his cock, her body moving up and down over Kallias' lap. His hands gripped her waist firmly, guiding her movements

“Yours. Yours, my beautiful Crystal. How could you even ask?” Kallias’s voice was a low growl. The same sound he always makes when he is about to cum. “Oh, fuck…”

“Yes… ah… cum in me, my Alpha. My dashing Alpha. I’ll take every drop of you,” Crystal moaned, leaning forward until their lips met in a heated kiss.

I staggered back.

I clutch my chest tightly when pain unlike anything I had ever known ripped through me. I could feel the mating bond between us straining, threatening to snap under the weight of his betrayal.

Enough.

I would not spend the rest of my life like this.

'I’m sorry, Khione,' I whispered to my wolf, guilt coiling in my chest. 'But this can’t be saved anymore. Today we sever our mate bond with him.'

------

I descended the stairs and walked to the dining room as night came. Crystal and Kallias sat together at the long table, a lavish spread of delicious dishes lay before them, the air thick with the scent of roasted meats and his favorite wine. They laughed softly and fed each other.

“You need to eat more to keep my heir healthy,” Kallias murmured, lifting a forkful toward her lips. She accepted it with a smile.

Their hands stilled when I stepped closer, halting just a single step away from the table.

Kallias’s face tightened. His smile fell and he turned his gaze aside.

Crystal’s, however, only brightened. “Oh, Winter? What a surprise to see you downstairs. Will you join us tonight?”

I swallowed the burning urge to hurl one of the plates into their faces.

“No,” I said evenly, my eyes fixed on my mate. “I came here to tell you something.”

He knew my words were meant for him. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet mine.

“What?” Kallias’s voice was stripped of any warmth.

“Let’s break our mating bond right now.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. I saw Crystal’s pupils flare, something close to excitement flickering in her gaze. Kallias just held our gaze, fingers curling loosely around his wine glass.

Then finally, he spoke. “No.”

“I would never keep a man who betrayed me and fucked another woman as my life mate, Kallias Thorn.”

“It’s not betrayal,” He answered calmly, “It’s normal for an Alpha to have two mates, Winter. A few months ago I realized Crystal is also my mate and I can’t ignore that.”

“So you got her pregnant?” I laugh bitterly “That’s the brilliant logic rattling around in your Alpha head?”

His eyes darkened at my mockery.

Kallias rose from his chair and stepped toward me until we stood face to face.

“No. I won't release you as my Luna or my mate. You will stay here by my side, in my pack, you heard that? I'll make a pack with two Lunas, first in history.” He said.

For a moment, I could only stare at him.

The words lodged in my throat, my mind reeling. Who was this man standing before me? This silly man is not the one I choose to spend my life with!

“Not even in your wildest dreams, Kallias.” I hissed.

He didn’t need to release me? Fine. I would be the first to cut the tie. I was far too precious to waste another second chained to someone like him.

“I, Winter Ashbane of the Winterwood Pack,” My voice ringing with finality, “Reject you, Kallias Thorn, as my mate. I sever every bond that once tied us together. From this moment on, you are nothing to me.”