第9章

My heart was completely cold on the way back to the den. This wasn't just betrayal; it was a threat – a direct threat to me and my child.

And I, Seraphina Moonridge, would not stand by and let it happen.

The final steps of the Moon Eclipse Unbinding had to be completed tonight.

The night of the total lunar eclipse.

I stood by the sacred pool, wearing my birth pack's silver ceremonial robe. Seven moon-glow candles were lit around me in a perfect circle.

The den was empty. Kaelen and most of the pack were at that so-called "blood bond ritual," praying for the cub in Lyra's belly.

Perfect timing.

I took out the silver box and carefully arranged the ritual items – moon-blessed water, a silver bowl engraved with ancient runes, a pinch of sacred tree ash, and most importantly – the blood-oath rune Kaelen and I had exchanged when we mated.

This rune, once my most treasured possession, was now a shackle.

"Mother, guide me," I whispered, touching the family crest on my chest.

Ripples spread across the water, and Elder Elara's image appeared.

"Child, are you sure you want to do this?" Her voice was filled with sorrow. "Once the 'Moon Eclipse Unbinding' is complete, the mate bond will be permanently damaged. Even if you reconnect later, it will never be as pure as it was."

"I have no choice," I replied calmly. "He chose Lyra. He chose betrayal. And I… I have to protect my child."

The Elder was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Then begin. Remember every step. Any mistake will have severe consequences."

I took a deep breath, poured the moon-blessed water into the silver bowl, and sprinkled in the sacred tree ash.

"By moonlight's witness, by bloodline's name," I began to chant the ancient spell, "I, Seraphina Moonridge, request the release of my soul's vow with Kaelen Nightfang."

The water began to glow, the liquid in the silver bowl turning a shimmering blue.

"When vows are broken, when trust is shattered, when love turns to pain, I ask the Moon Goddess to take back Her blessing."

I took out the blood-oath rune and carefully placed it in the bowl. The moment the rune touched the liquid, an agonizing pain shot through my entire body – the mate bond was fighting the separation.

"Hold on, child," the Elder's voice encouraged me. "The most painful part is coming."

I gritted my teeth and continued the ritual. "By my blood, I break this vow; by my tears, I wash away the past; by my will, I regain my freedom."

I cut my palm and let my blood drip into the silver bowl. As the seventh drop fell, a blinding white light burst from the bowl, illuminating the entire room.

Pain washed over me in waves. I felt my soul being torn apart, like every nerve was on fire. I screamed, my body curling up on the floor.

This was the price of separation.

I don't know how long it lasted, but the pain finally began to fade. Weakly, I looked up. The rune in the silver bowl had cracked in two, and the liquid around it had turned a deep red.

"It is done," the Elder said softly. "The bond is broken. But the final step… you must make your final farewell."

I nodded and struggled to my feet. Exhausted, but I had to see this through.

Leaving the den, I dragged myself towards the pack's sacred grounds – where the bonding stones of every mated pair were kept.

The sacred grounds were deserted, only moonlight illuminating the neat rows of stone markers. I easily found the one belonging to Kaelen and me – the newest, the shiniest.

I took out the broken rune and buried it in the soil beneath our stone.

"Vows once made, end tonight. Love once shared, gone with the wind."

As I said those words, I felt the very last thread of the bond disappear. The place in my heart that had once been filled with Kaelen was now just an empty void.

Free, but also alone.

I turned to leave, but froze at the entrance to the sacred grounds.

Kaelen stood there, his face ashen.

"What did you do?" His voice was hoarse, almost unrecognizable.

He stumbled forward, one hand pressed to his chest – clearly, he too had felt the agony of the bond breaking.

"You felt it?" I asked calmly. "Interesting. I thought you'd forgotten all about our bond."

"Sera… why?" He looked genuinely shocked, pain etched all over his face.

"Why?" I scoffed. "When you chose Lyra's lies over my truth; when you let her invade our den; when you belittled me in front of everyone; when you accused me of endangering my own unborn cub… you should have seen this coming."

He took a step forward, reaching for me, but I quickly backed away.

"Don't touch me! As of tonight, you've lost that right."

"We can fix this," he said desperately. "I know I've made mistakes lately, but we're fated mates, Sera. This bond is supposed to be forever!"

"It was," I corrected him coldly. "Now, I'm leaving. Leaving your territory, leaving this place full of lies."

Fear flashed in his eyes. "Leave? But you're carrying our child! You can't…"

"I can, and I will." I pulled a letter from my robes. "This is an official document from my birth pack, declaring an end to all alliances with the Night-fang pack. From today, the Moonridge pack withdraws all support and protection."

Kaelen looked like he'd been punched. "You can't do this! The pack needs this alliance!"

"You should have thought of that sooner." I threw the letter on the ground. "Now, step aside. My people are waiting for me."

He didn't move, desperation and anger warring in his eyes. "I won't let you take my child."

"Then try me," I responded calmly, activating the amulet on my chest.

Instantly, five warriors from the Moonridge pack emerged from the trees, fully armed, their expressions grim.

"Anything else to say, Alpha?" I asked, my voice devoid of any emotion.

Kaelen looked at the surrounding warriors and knew he couldn't stop me by force. His shoulders slumped, the fire in his eyes dying out.

"Sera… please don't do this." His voice was almost a plea. "Give me time to prove…"

"Too late," I cut him off. "Your time ran out long ago."

I walked around him, towards my waiting pack members. As I passed him, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"I will find you," he said in a low voice. "No matter where you go, no matter how long it takes. I will prove myself and win back your trust."

I pulled my hand away without answering and kept walking.

Behind me, Kaelen's roar tore through the night, filled with pain and despair. But I didn't look back.