3

Remind me why we are still not out of this place," Easton said.

"Luna might be needed anytime. I have to be present," Aurora stated nonchalantly. Easton glared at her and immediately knew she wasn’t as okay as she pretended to be. Even after the spectacle on the field, she had taken a moment to herself but still insisted they return to the halls because of her duties.

Duties for a position Maverick had just given to Phoebe in front of nearly everyone in the pack.

"That asshole," Easton muttered as they stood at the far end of the hall. There was no one around, and the dim light shrouded them in shadows. Hidden from plain view, they leaned against each other.

"He’s been like this ever since the mate awakening ceremony," Easton said, glaring at Maverick, who stood on stage giving a speech. A smile rested on Maverick’s lips as if he hadn’t just shattered someone’s world with his words and actions. "The petty bastard even used you not showing up as an excuse to reject you."

Aurora’s mind drifted back to the mate awakening ceremony three years ago. She had promised to meet Maverick that night, but her mother sabotaged her with endless chores. With her mother’s watchful eyes on her, sneaking out had been impossible and far too dangerous.

Even though the ceremony combined the mating ritual and Maverick’s crowning as Alpha, the council had insisted he train for his position for another two to three years before gaining full authority. They had little trust in a young man ruling over them, so what would they have thought of his relationship with Aurora?

When she confronted Maverick the next morning, he avoided her gaze. His expression was cold, filled with mild disgust, and for a fleeting moment, there was a flicker of hatred. He said nothing, simply stepping past her and walking away.

That action hurt her deeply.

Later that evening, on stage, a council member had asked Maverick if he had found his mate. Though both of them felt the bond and knew the truth, Maverick had lied.

"No, I haven’t seen her, and I don’t think she’s here tonight," he had said.

Aurora’s heart had slammed against her ribcage, and she swore it stopped for a moment.

Now, three years later, Aurora's attention returned to Maverick, still talking on stage with the same composed demeanor. He looked as carefree and happy as he had that night.

"You’re strong, Aurora. Hell, you’re one of the strongest women I know. Why can’t you just let this go and leave it all behind? You should’ve moved on by now," Easton said gently. His eyes held a pity that Aurora hated to see, and she forced a sad smile.

Easton understood how much it all tore her apart, but Aurora knew leaving wouldn’t solve anything.

"The stronger the force, the stronger the weakness when the support is gone," she said, her voice hoarse. "I love Maverick more than I love myself, and I hate myself for it. It’s like I need him, somehow. I’m scared of leaving this behind. A part of me still hopes he’ll look at me the way he used to. That he’ll get lonely, miss us, and come back. I know I should move on. Maybe I will someday. But right now, I just can’t."

Easton reached out to comfort her. He noticed a brunette trying to approach them and shot her a glare, making her shrink back.

"You’re not wrong for feeling this way," he reassured her.

—

The scene on stage shifted as Maverick concluded his speech.

"Thank you all for being here," Maverick said. "This alliance wouldn’t be possible without your support. I’m grateful to the pack members and former leaders. And I want to express special gratitude to Ms. Phoebe Brian for her immense contributions. None of this would have been possible without her."

Maverick turned to place a kiss on Phoebe’s cheek, and the crowd erupted in cheers. His gaze lingered on Aurora as he did it.

Aurora went stiff, and Easton wrapped an arm around her shoulder protectively. He glared at Maverick, seething. Although Maverick had flaunted Phoebe before, this was the first time he displayed affection so openly.

Aurora and Maverick’s eyes met briefly. She thought she saw something unusual in his expression, but before she could decipher it, Easton pulled her away, and she let him.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

When Aurora and Easton returned to the pack house, something felt off. The pack members they passed stared at Aurora with mocking, knowing expressions. At first, they ignored it, but the continued looks became unsettling.

"Any idea what’s going on?" Aurora asked.

"No," Easton replied with a shrug. "We’ve been in the attic since we left the main hall this afternoon."

Aurora glanced at the sky, now dark with a full moon hanging bright above them.

As they approached the packed house, Tessie stood by the door. Her eyes lit up when she spotted them.

"The Alpha and the others are waiting for you at the small field behind the pack house," Tessie said disdainfully. "You’re required there as soon as your little sexcapades are done."

Easton scoffed, but Aurora merely nodded. Tessie smirked, looking pleased with herself.

"Let’s go, Aurora," Easton said, holding her arm gently as they brushed past Tessie.

When they reached the field, Aurora’s heart sank. Awaiting her were the former pack leaders, the council, her family, and Maverick seated beside Phoebe. Witches stood among them, their dark attire and runic symbols unmistakable.

"This can’t be good," Easton murmured, his steps faltering. Aurora dragged him along, ready to face whatever awaited her—or so she thought.

Her mother stepped forward, a small smile on her lips. "Since you’ve been frolicking with Easton, the Alpha has decided to grant you freedom. These witches are here to break the bond between you and Maverick."

Aurora stood frozen as the weight of her mother’s words hit her. Breaking the bond? Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

Easton, however, was livid. "You’ve finally decided to kill her, haven’t you?" he snarled, his glare fixed on Maverick. "You—spineless, selfish Alpha! First, you turned your back on her for no reason, and now this? Aurora’s wolf is the weakest in the pack! Breaking the bond will kill her!"

He turned to the former pack leaders and council members, his voice dripping with venom. "You’re all pathetic! You follow whatever idiotic plan this so-called Alpha comes up with. Aurora gave everything for this pack—endured your sneers, held her tongue when you talked down to her, and always put you all above herself. And now this? This is how you repay her?"

The former Beta rose in anger, about to rebuke Easton, but stopped when Aurora began to laugh. The sound was hollow and hysterical, her shoulders shaking as she tilted her head back.

“No wonder you had this ear splitting grin that is unfit on your face. You must be very happy to get rid of the bastard you never wanted, the walking evidence that you were raped by a wizard.” Aurora scoffs at her mother after she breaks out of her spell before turning to the witches. "Is the array ready?" Her voice is sharp and cutting.

One of the witches nodded sympathetically. "Yes, it’s ready."

"Then let’s get this over with," Aurora said, her tone devoid of emotion.

"Aurora!" Easton’s voice cracked with desperation as he reached for her. Aurora was the only thing that made life worth living for her, she was the one that was always there through the dark gloomy days, shining lights into his life. He didn't know if he would forgive himself if something happened to her in front of him.

Aurora turned to him with a faint smile. "Don’t worry, Easton. I won’t die on you," she said softly. Her gaze then flicked to Maverick, who stared back at her with an unreadable expression. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight, and his eyes filled with a thousand emotions he refused to let show.

Maverick tried to convince himself this was for the best. That freeing Aurora from their bond would allow her to find peace. But doubt gnawed at him. What if the ritual went wrong? What if it killed her? He hadn’t meant to hurt her—he only wanted to protect her.

It was the only way he could protect her from the immense doom that would befall her, he had helped her groom the pain for three years in order to make sure she finds it bearable when she confronts all the pain she would face in the coming years. Not breaking this bond and letting go would only resort to one thing for her — death.

A gruesome death.

Aurora and Maverick stepped into the array as instructed. The witches began chanting, their voices a haunting symphony of ancient words. Aurora forced herself to detach from her surroundings, her mind drifting elsewhere as the ritual unfolded.

Then the pain began.

A blinding, searing agony shot through Aurora’s body. A scream tore from her lungs as it felt like her very soul was being ripped apart. Her limbs burned as though needles and blades pierced her flesh, and the mark on her neck, where the bond had been sealed, throbbed with unbearable heat.

"Aurora!" Easton shouted, moving to rush to her side, but a witch raised a hand, warning him to stay back.

Aurora’s screams filled the air, raw and guttural, until suddenly, they ceased. Her body hung in the air, suspended by some unseen force. Her eyes were wide and glassy, her fists clenched tightly. Then, with a final incantation, the witches finished the ritual.

Both Aurora and Maverick were thrown backward by the force of the severed bond. Alec caught Maverick as he stumbled, while Easton caught Aurora’s limp form.

Easton exhaled shakily, relief washing over him as he checked Aurora’s pulse. She was still alive but barely conscious, her face pale and drawn.

No one else noticed, but Maverick also let out a breath of relief when he saw Aurora was alive. He shouldn't end up leading her to her death when it was exactly what he wanted to steer her away from.

"It is done," one of the witches announced solemnly. "Alpha Maverick Stuart Prill and Luna Aurora Amy Wells are no longer bound to each other."

The council and former leaders nodded in satisfaction. Phoebe smiled triumphantly, her hand resting possessively on Maverick’s arm but he shrugs it off. Aurora, however, remained silent in Easton’s arms, her chest rising and falling weakly.

"You’re all monsters," Easton spat, his voice trembling with fury. "Every single one of you."

He carefully lifted Aurora, cradling her as though she might shatter. "I’m taking her away from this hellhole," he growled, his glare daring anyone to stop him.

No one moved. Not even Maverick.

As Easton moved Aurora away, Maverick’s gaze lingered on her as she tried to stabilize her breathing and gain some energy. His heart twisted painfully, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders.

For the first time, he wasn’t sure he had done the right thing.