Chapter 3

Melanie's POV

I closed my eyes, listening to the heavy sound of my own breathing.

The mating bond, like a tightly pulled string, suddenly tore with a violent, agonizing intensity. It was as if a sharp blade had sliced through my soul.

The pain wasn't just physical; it was a profound, spiritual tearing.

I forced my eyes open, realizing I had somehow walked into the Moonlight Forest.

That invisible cord was pulling me, compelling me, as if we were destined to be driven toward the same point by this pain.

Even so, my mind was still spinning—why did it hurt so much?

Where was he? Why was I here?

As my vision cut through the trees, I saw them: Archer and Camille standing together.

She was sitting next to him, laughing so naturally, so intimately. His arm was wrapped around her waist, his fingers gently tracing her back.

Watching the scene, I felt my entire world collapse in an instant.

And Trista, the child I had given birth to, almost dying in the process, was sitting on Camille's lap, enjoying her gentle caresses, her face innocent and happy.

Archer's smile wasn't his usual calm, controlled one; it was a look of unprecedented tenderness, a warmth I had never seen directed at me.

My heart felt shredded. Frost howled wildly in my mind. "Get out! We can't handle this pain!"

I spun around, my body running uncontrollably toward the edge of the Moonlight Forest.

My footsteps were rushed and panicked, the pain in my chest making it almost impossible to breathe.

Just as I reached the edge of the forest, the stabbing pain surged again, spreading up my spine. Every nerve felt like it was being ripped apart.

I couldn't control my body. My scent gland on the back of my neck constricted violently. My fingernails instantly grew long and sharp. Every nerve felt shredded.

I tried to suppress the pain, biting my lip hard to stifle any sound.

My breathing was ragged, and my wolf teeth pierced my lip. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

I forced myself not to let out a wolf howl—no, I didn't want him to hear me. I didn't want them to see me in this pathetic state.

My heart was pounding like it was being struck by a sledgehammer. I could barely breathe.

"Let me take this," Frost's voice came through my consciousness, low and powerful.

I didn't want to let her take control, but in the end, her strength was irresistible.

My body involuntarily began to shift. Bones cracked violently. Silver-gray fur spread from my fingertips. My claws became as hard as iron, and a tearing sensation shot through my tailbone.

I started running desperately. Frost controlled my body in my mind, leading me through the dense woods toward the far side of the Moonlight Forest.

The air rushed past me. Gradually, my emotions calmed down, and the pain eased slightly.

I stopped by a stream and looked down at my wolf self.

My silver-white fur was soiled with grass and mud. My wolf teeth had lost their usual sharp glint, and even the light in my wolf eyes was dull and lifeless.

"We can't survive this kind of mateship much longer," Frost's voice was tired, carrying a hint of resignation.

"The damage to the mating bond will cost us the strength a Luna should have, and it will weaken me."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, the sound of Frost's words echoing in my mind.

I knew we were at the end of the line.

I once thought I could rely on this relationship for strength, but now, I only felt weaker and weaker.

"It won't last much longer," I responded to Frost in my mind. "Remember, before I was the Luna of the Razor Pack, I was myself first."

I used to be an independent, strong female Alpha. I shouldn't give up who I am for a relationship that gives nothing back.

I threw my head back, looking up at the bright moonlight, and let out a long howl.

The cry was one of release, but also of resolve.

It was time to let go. It was time to end this meaningless mateship.

Back at the villa, I went to the study and quickly wrote out a Bond Severance Petition.

I always believed that if I just tried hard enough, one day he would truly see me, truly choose me.

Seven years of waiting and giving proved that it was all just one-sided persistence, and he never truly cared about me.

That truth finally sobered me up.

I sealed the petition in an envelope and handed it to Shannon, asking her to give it to Archer.

Then, I dragged my suitcase to the car. "To the airport."

Hours later, I was back at the packhouse in LA.

This used to be my home. Even though it hadn't really been mine for years, I still had some of my things there.

However, I didn't take much.

Just a few outfits, two sets of toiletries, and some books.

Archer wired money to Trista and me every month, but I was used to living independently, and I had never touched the money in Trista's account.

Besides, Trista had been living with Archer in London for almost a year and didn't need it anyway.

I transferred the one million dollars from my personal account.

That money was rightfully mine.

I went back to an apartment I had bought earlier. After a quick tidy-up, I moved in.

That night, after washing up, I was about to go to sleep.

Just as I drifted off, Frost's painful whimper came through again, reminding me that the mating bond was still tearing. I couldn't escape this unhealing pain yet.

I sighed, about to try sleeping again, when my phone suddenly rang.