Chapter 2

Raye trembled. It took her a long moment to process what I had said.

"I'll go find the pack elder right away and ask about the process for dissolving a mate bond!"

Her eyes glistened with determination. It made my heart ache.

Raye had first suggested dissolving my mate bond with Leo three years ago.

Everything had changed after the former Luna, Camille, returned to the pack and moved into the residence with Lucas.

Leo was the Alpha of our pack.

Whenever Raye brought her homework to him and asked for guidance, he would frown and say he was too busy to teach her.

However, all Camille had to do was ask, and Leo would devote enormous amounts of time and energy to train Lucas every single day.

This went on for three years.

Leo hadn't attended a single one of Raye's evaluations, but whenever Lucas faced a trial, Leo was there without exception.

I'd argued with him and confronted him about this.

I'd asked if he no longer wanted our family, but Leo always remained cold and detached when he responded.

He looked at me like I was being unreasonable.

"Lucas is naturally gifted. He learns quickly, and I'm training him to become the next Alpha.

"Raye's talent is average. No matter how much time I invest in her, she won't amount to much.

"I don't waste my effort on things with a low return.

"And stop letting your emotions get the better of you and spreading rumors about Camille and me."

He was always so rational.

He was so rational that when Raye awakened her high-level wolf spirit and became the gifted young werewolf everyone in the pack praised, his only response was two words.

"Not bad."

He then used his authority as Alpha to secure the best possible resources for Lucas.

"Mom, dissolve the mate bond with him. From now on, I'll be the one protecting you."

Raye had said that to me long ago while her eyes were filled with tears.

Back then, I didn't want to disrupt Raye's life, so I chose to endure everything. I forced myself to smile and told her I was fine.

I didn't need to do that anymore.

Since Leo had already abandoned us, it was time for me to answer my daughter's wishes. It was time to let go completely.

-

Ring!

The bell at the estate suddenly rang and pulled me from my memories.

Camille and Lucas stood outside the door.

"Ivy, I brought Lucas here to apologize to you.

"What happened at the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday was my fault. I didn't think things through, and you and Raye were put in an awkward position because of me."

Camille bit her lower lip while speaking in a soft and fragile voice.

"Leo was only honoring his brother's wishes. I casually mentioned it, and he insisted on protecting Lucas and me.

"But there's nothing between Leo and me. Please don't misunderstand."

Lucas stepped forward nonchalantly.

"Ivy, I'm really sorry for taking Raye's father away from her."

I suddenly heard the sound of a cup being overturned inside the house.

It was Raye.

I stretched out my arm and blocked them from entering. My gaze then landed on the necklace around Lucas' neck.

Silver light shimmered across its surface.

It was the protective necklace I had obtained for Raye when she was born. I had kneeled as I climbed along the ninety-nine steps to the Moon Goddess' altar and prayed for her protection.

Rage surged through me.

I couldn't hold it back anymore. I lunged forward, grabbed the necklace, and yanked it from Lucas' neck.

The chain snapped. Fragments of it scattered across the floor.

Lucas cried out in pain and stumbled backward.

"What are you doing?"

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Leo ran over and immediately pulled Camille and Lucas behind him.

Every hair on his body bristled. He looked at me like I was an intruder.

It was as if I were an enemy.

Camille's eyes instantly welled with tears as she clutched Leo's arm.

"Leo, we came here to apologize, and Ivy started calling Lucas names–"

Leo glared at me and spoke coldly. "Ivy Reid! Have you lost your mind?

"It's only a necklace. So what if it's broken? Did you really have to lay your hands on a pup?

"If anything happens to Lucas, I won't forgive you!"

I clenched the broken necklace blessed by the Moon Goddess tightly. It was still warm from being in contact with Lucas' skin. My fingertips were trembling.

The necklace had mysteriously disappeared three years ago. After that, Raye had been plagued by one illness after another. She suffered from repeated high fevers that nearly killed her.

Even when she was unconscious, she had blamed herself for losing it.

"Only a necklace?

"I kneeled and climbed all ninety-nine steps to pray to the Moon Goddess for this necklace to protect Raye's life!

"Turns out you secretly took it and gave it to someone else!"

Leo's brows furrowed. There wasn't the slightest hint of remorse in his voice.

"Camille said Lucas was often tormented by backlash from his wolf spirit. I only lent it to him for protection.

"It's only a necklace. Do you really have to be so petty?

"You're the Luna, yet you behave so aggressively and irrationally. You're an embarrassment to the entire pack!"

I looked down at the broken necklace in my palm.

The last trace of affection I had for him disappeared completely.

I lifted my gaze and calmly looked at the werewolf standing before me.

"Fine. Protect them well. Raye and I will never need you again."