Chapter 7

My mind went completely blank. "What are you talking about?"

Kieran's eyes were sharp. "The Elders' Council investigated and found that someone had sawed halfway through the totem pole's base. If it wasn't you, who else would be scheming so hard to harm Cecelia?"

A chill spread through me. "I'll say it again, it wasn't me! Not this time, not the last time, not the time before that! Do you believe me, Kieran? Swear on your wolf soul and tell me if you sense through our bond that I'm lying!"

My voice rose into a scream with the last words.

"You're still denying it!" Kieran's eyes turned cold. "You always ask me to believe you, but what have you done? Cecelia ends up hurt, while the pups are in danger. I told you: I only treat her well because of the heir. Why do you insist on making a scene? If she loses the pup, what good does that do for us?"

My chest heaved violently as countless grievances and anger clogged my throat. I wanted to question him, to argue back, to scream at the top of my lungs that I had never hurt anyone.

I wanted to ask if he had forgotten his promise to always believe me unconditionally and never doubt me.

In the end, I just looked at him wearily, my voice trembling as I said, "Fine. Since you don't trust me, let's end this. You can break the mate bond between us. I'll step aside so you can live happily as a family of four!"

Kieran froze instantly, his golden pupils contracting sharply. "What did you say?!"

An uncontrolled werewolf growl spilled from his throat.

I glared at him with bloodshot eyes. "Wasn't I clear enough? I renounce the bond between us. I'm willingly stepping aside for you and Cecelia!"

Kieran punched the nearby table, shattering it as wood splinters flew everywhere. He grabbed my wrist, fury rolling in his eyes.

"Elise! What are you saying?! I've always loved you! Yet you want me to be with another woman?!"

I stared back at him stubbornly with teary eyes, saying nothing.

After a long standoff, Kieran took a deep breath. He forcibly suppressed his anger and pulled me into his arms, holding me so tight it felt like he wanted to merge me into his bones.

He whispered, "This matter ends here. Cecelia has already...forgiven you, and I won't hold it against you either."

"But remember this." He tightened his arms, his voice hoarse as he said, "Don't ever mention breaking the bond or leaving again! Never! Everything I'm doing is for our future!"

I did not tell him that to hell with the future. I had already decided to leave.

"She forgave me that easily? No conditions?" I asked softly, my voice numb.

Kieran's body stiffened, and he was silent for a moment before releasing me. He said slowly, "She...wants to hold a Moonlight Vow ceremony. Cecelia says she wants the pups to know their parents once loved each other and are blessed by the Moon Goddess to give them a legitimate background."

After a pause, he turned to look at me. "But this vow is fake. I'm just going through the motions to give the pack and pups an explanation. Don't overthink it."

My lips trembled, but I could not say a word. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an icy hand, each beat bringing tearing pain and absurdity.

I thought, 'Kieran, oh Kieran. You already have children with her, and now you're even having the pack's most sacred Moonlight Vow ceremony. What part of this is fake? What am I supposed to be to you?'

Kieran kept talking, his voice fading in and out as he explained the necessity of the ceremony and promised we would leave together afterward.

I watched his moving lips and suddenly felt utterly exhausted. I slowly closed my eyes, letting those words turn to dust and settle on my already dead heart.

I never spoke another word.

...

Kieran stayed with me at the hospital for three full days, caring for me meticulously. When feeding me medicine, he would always blow on it gently first, then carefully bring it to my lips.

At night, if I made the slightest movement, he would wake up startled and frantically grab my hand until he was sure I was okay.

When the doctor gave me anti-inflammatory shots, he would hold me in his arms, his fingers gently covering my eyes while he whispered soothingly, "Don't look. It'll be over soon."

However, after taking me home from the hospital, he immediately began preparing for the vow ceremony. To prevent me from causing trouble, he even confiscated my phone and posted guards at the door to watch me 24/7.

In the huge mansion, only one housekeeper was left to look after me. I did not resist and quietly packed my luggage.

On the day of the vow ceremony, my phone was returned to me, filled with photos Cecelia had sent.

Kieran, in a suit, tenderly placing a ring on Cecelia's finger; both of them kissing passionately amid everyone's blessings; their little family happily cutting a cake together.

Every picture was a blade carving deeper into my already broken heart.

Just as I was about to turn the phone off, the door suddenly opened.

Lucian stood in the doorway and said, "Everything's been arranged."

He handed me a plane ticket and said, "I guarantee that once you leave, he'll never find you."

I silently took the ticket and picked up my packed suitcase.

As I walked out of the mansion, the sun was shining. I did not look back, walking toward the car waiting by the roadside.

I did not say goodbye to Kieran.

For the rest of my life, as long as the mountains rise and the rivers run, we would never meet again.