Chapter 3

In the study, Gavin spread a map on the desk.

"Elara, let's talk about the details of the pack merger." He pointed to a marked territory on the map. "I had a meeting with the elders last night, and I've made a decision. The southern pack's healing artifact, the sacred land around Moon Lake, and all remaining resources will be absorbed into the new northern pack."

"Centralized management will be more efficient," he said, his tone all business. "And your healing gift can be put to much better use."

Sarah, sitting beside him, had a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Oh, that sacred land!" she clapped her hands. "I've been dying to renovate it. We could build a modern healing center with the most advanced equipment."

She turned to me, her smile sickly sweet. "Elara's healing serum is so precious. We should set up a standardized production line. We'll need to draw five liters of your blood. Every month. It's the only way to create enough high-grade serum."

Five liters of blood.

Every month.

My heart sank.

An adult werewolf only has four to five liters of blood in their entire body.

She wanted me dead.

"Just imagine," Sarah continued, painting her pretty picture, "we could monopolize the entire healing market in the alliance. Potions made from your blood will be worth a fortune."

"The Northern pack will become the wealthiest power," Gavin added. "And you will receive the honor you deserve."

Honor?

The honor of being bled dry until I withered away and died?

I looked at them, my heart turning to ash.

So this was their plan.

Use my gift, drain my blood, and leave me to die.

"Fine," I nodded, my voice terrifyingly calm. "Let's hold the merger ceremony tomorrow."

Both Gavin and Sarah stared, stunned.

They clearly didn't expect me to agree so easily.

"Really?" Sarah asked, her voice high with excitement. "You agree?"

"Yes," I said, standing up. "The sooner we merge, the sooner I'm free, right?"

I left the study and walked straight to the living room.

A fire was roaring in the hearth.

I went to my bedroom and opened the small box where I kept my memories.

Inside were the keepsakes from our mating ceremony.

A pair of wolf-fang necklaces, two rings, and a photo from our first date.

I picked up the wolf-fang necklace.

Gavin had carved it for me himself, promising it would protect me for the rest of my life.

What a joke.

"Elara, what are you doing?" Gavin asked, following me into the room.

I didn't answer. I just walked to the fireplace in the living room.

"No!" Gavin realized what I was about to do and lunged forward.

But he was too late.

I tossed the wolf-fang necklace into the fire.

The orange flames engulfed it instantly.

Then came the rings.

And the photo.

"Enough! Elara!" Gavin roared. "Are you insane?"

"Insane?" I turned to face him, my eyes full of scorn. "I've been the insane one for seven years. I'm finally sane now."

I tossed the last memory into the fire.

The flames ate everything.

Just like they would soon eat our bond.

Gavin stared blankly at the fire, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"You're just throwing a tantrum," he finally said. "After the merger ceremony tomorrow, everything will be fine."

I just smiled and didn't argue.

Back in my room, I started packing.

One small suitcase was enough.

There was nothing here worth keeping.

On the bed lay a silver cashmere shawl.

It was the first gift Gavin ever gave me. He’d said he bought it at the most exclusive auction in the alliance.

I picked it up, ready to put it in my suitcase.

But then I changed my mind.

I tossed the shawl back onto the bed.

Let it stay here, with all the other fake memories.

A moment later, the door creaked open and Sarah walked in.

She saw the shawl on the bed, and a look of disdain crossed her face.

"This shawl..." She picked it up. "Elara, your taste is really..."

She paused, a look of exaggerated pity on her face.

"How do I put this... a little dated?"

"Dated?"

"Yes," Sarah said, stroking the fabric smugly. "This style is so out of fashion. And the material is just average."

She walked to the mirror and draped it over her shoulders.

"The gowns I wear to Luna celebrations are all couture. Valentino, Armani... each one is custom-made."

She turned to me, her eyes dripping with superiority. "You know, Gavin actually has excellent taste. Every outfit he picks for me is flawless."

I stared at her, my face a cold mask.

"Of course," Sarah continued, "he has to. I need to look perfect when I accompany him to important events. Galas in the North, formal dinners with the alliance..."

She paused, studying my expression.

"You didn't really believe that safety speech, did you? That he left you here to protect this pathetic little pack?"

Her voice was laced with mockery.

"That was a line for a fool. And you actually fell for it?"