Chapter 2

"Alpha Elara, Lead Mate Leo, are you certain you wish to sever your mate bond?" Elder Graham's voice was grave. "This decision is irreversible."

I stood before the altar of the Council of Elders and nodded calmly. "I'm certain."

Elara stood beside me, her face a storm of emotions. She'd grabbed my arm on the way here, her grip desperate.

"Leo, do we really have to do this?" Her voice was laced with panic. "Maybe we can reconsider..."

"Didn't you lose your connection to me?" I shot back. "Rejecting the bond should be a relief for you."

She hesitated, then quickly composed herself, putting on her superior air. "Right... yes. I'm just worried you'll have a hard time adjusting to life without me."

What a terrible actress.

Now, in front of the Elders, she was putting on another show, pretending to want me to stay.

"Leo, do you remember our mating ceremony?" Elara stared into my eyes. "That night, under the moonlight, we promised to be together forever..."

"I remember," I cut her off. "I also remember what you said to my father."

Elara’s face soured. "What?"

"'This marriage will secure my bid for Alpha. Leo’s family name and his strength as a warrior will solidify my claim.' " I repeated her words exactly. "Did you think I didn't know?"

Elder Graham looked at Elara, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

"That... that was..." Elara stammered.

"The truth," I finished for her. "So now you've found someone 'more helpful,' right?"

Elara opened her mouth to argue, but I had already turned to Elder Graham.

"Please, begin the ceremony."

The ritual went smoothly.

As the last ray of moonlight faded, the crushing weight on my chest vanished. Five years of a mate bond, gone like smoke.

"The rite is complete," Elder Graham announced. "From this moment, you are no longer mates."

When I walked out of the Elders' hall, Victor was waiting. He was wearing a flashy white suit, like he was heading to a party.

"Finally!" He snaked an arm around Elara’s waist, claiming her as his prize. "Now we can plan our mating ceremony!"

Then he turned to me, a triumphant glint in his eye. "Leo, when are you moving out of the pack house? I need to redecorate the Lead Mate's suite."

"Tomorrow," I said simply.

"Tomorrow? Perfect!" Victor clapped his hands. "I've already hired a designer. We're throwing out all that old junk."

That "old junk" was the tactical map table and weapon racks I’d spent three years perfecting. Every piece was vital to this pack's defense.

But now, they were all going to be tossed.

"Victor's right," Elara chimed in. "A new mate needs a new start. Leo, if you need help moving..."

"I don't," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Elara chased after me, pulling a dagger from her pocket. "Here... take this back."

I looked at the dagger—her "gift" from our mating ceremony.

A platinum hilt with a moonstone pommel. It looked sharp and beautiful.

I took it, examining it in the light.

"Elara," I looked up at her. "This is silver-plated, not platinum."

Her face went pale. "What?"

"And this 'moonstone'?" I scoffed. "It's glass. Worth maybe fifty bucks? This is what you give your mate as a bonding gift?"

Elara opened her mouth to explain, but I had already dropped the dagger on the ground.

"A fake bond for a fake love. A perfect match."

I walked to my car without looking back.

In the rearview mirror, I saw Elara and Victor arguing.

I rolled down the window just enough to hear them.

"How did he know the dagger was fake?" Victor demanded.

"Who knows," Elara said, annoyed. "It doesn't matter. The bond is broken."

"But he looked really angry..."

"Relax. Leo is easy," Elara scoffed. "Once he's done throwing his tantrum, a little Alpha command will have him crawling back on his hands and knees. He doesn't have the spine to actually leave."

I started the engine and hit the gas.

She could dream on.

This time, it was really over. There was no going back.