Chapter 3

I took a deep breath and kept handing over my files to the new healer as if nothing had happened.

"These are the high-risk patient files. Pay special attention to the silver toxicity..." My voice was eerily steady.

But right after the board meeting, the clinic doors swung open.

Julian walked in, holding a weak Chloe by her waist. In his other hand was a stack of fresh pack decrees.

"I've finalized the roster for next Saturday's ritual," he announced like a ruthless commander, slamming the papers onto every desk. "This is about Chloe's life, and the stability of my own wolf. Everyone needs to be on high alert."

Julian's eyes swept the room and locked onto me. A faint, knowing smirk tugged at his lips as he strolled over to my desk.

"Harper." His tone was polite but arrogant. He thought he had completely seen through my "playing hard to get." "You are the Luna. You leading this ritual sets the perfect example for the pack. It's also the best safety guarantee for me and Chloe."

The ritual was next Saturday. My flight to the North was the day before.

I didn't say a word. I just took the decree and gave a slight nod.

No yelling. No breakdown. Not even a change in expression.

My utter silence wiped the smirk right off Julian’s face. He clearly expected me to scream at him like I used to. He was waiting for a chance to give me another grand, self-righteous lecture.

But I gave him nothing.

Two minutes later, I walked out to the balcony for some air. The decree was crumpled in my hand, the edges soaked in cold sweat.

"Done putting on a show?"

Julian followed me out. He stood in front of me, his eyes full of that absolute control he thought he had over me.

"We're done, Julian," my voice was as dead as still water. "You should focus on your ritual, instead of expecting me to help you save her."

His smirk froze. He clearly didn't expect me to be this calm.

"Harper Quinn!" He dropped the act. His voice turned harsh. "Don't think giving me the silent treatment will make me fold! I'm not touching her. I don't love her. I'm just giving her a piece of my spirit! This is a matter of life and death! Have you forgotten your Healer's Oath?"

"Do you really think any other Alpha would put up with your jealous temper? You'd literally watch someone die!"

Every word was like a snake biting into my pride.

"You are my chosen Mate. Your status comes from me. Without me, you are nothing," Julian pushed hard, before suddenly softening his voice. He reached out and grabbed my hand, like he was giving me charity. "Just stop threatening to break the bond. Be a good girl and lead the ritual next Saturday. Next month, I'll throw you the most lavish mating ceremony in the territory. I swear I'll make it up to you, okay?"

He was still trying to manipulate me with these cheap tricks. Destroying my confidence first, then pretending to be a loving mate.

I sneered in my head. I had done nothing wrong. If he insisted on binding his soul to Chloe, I was happy to bow out.

Let Julian Thorne play his little savior game.

As for me, I was going to find a life that actually belonged to me.

When I got back to the penthouse we had shared for seven years, the familiar space felt entirely dead.

I started packing.

Seven years of living together, seven years of love, and my entire life fit perfectly into just one suitcase.

I picked up my phone and sent a short text to Julian:

"Goodbye."

His reply came instantly. The screen lit up with that same, familiar "No."

Obviously, he didn't even read the text. He was just brushing me off out of habit. He said he was pulling an all-nighter at the clinic to set up the runes for tomorrow’s ritual.

How ironic.

I walked out and locked the door. I dropped my bags off at a friend’s place. Just as I settled down to rest, my phone lit up again.

It wasn't Julian. It was Chloe.

She sent a photo of a document—The Spirit-Binding Agreement.

It clearly stated that Julian's inner wolf would forever provide Alpha energy to her broken spirit.

That kind of deep, soul-level entanglement was strictly reserved for mated pairs.

Under the photo, Chloe sent a weak, perfectly calculated taunt: "See? Julian will always give me pieces of his soul. In his heart, I am the only one who matters. Stop embarrassing yourself, Harper. Do us all a favor and get out of his life."

I stared at the message and smiled.

She was right. It was time to grant her wish.

I took out an official Mate Severance Agreement and signed my name. I activated the ancient rune on the parchment—an automatic, one-sided severance.

I left the signed document neatly on the center of the dining table.

The day I left, I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows at the airport, looking up at the crescent moon.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

It was a text from Julian, sounding as arrogant and casual as ever:

"The ritual is starting soon. Where are you? Stop hiding and get over here."

Once I caught my breath, I typed my final reply:

"I have officially rejected you, Julian Thorne. Have fun with your little savior game. May we never cross paths again."

The second I hit send, I blocked his number for good.

The airport intercom announced the boarding call for my flight to the North.

I grabbed my suitcase, looked at the blackened screen of my phone one last time, and hit power-off.

To me, this Alpha's "love" didn't matter anymore.