Chapter 4

Leon stepped in front of Nerissa, shielding her with his own body. His cold gaze swept across the hall. "No one touches her without my command."

When our eyes met, something flickered in his—then he looked away.

The Grand Elder slammed his moonstaff against the floor. "Alpha, she's a mermaid. She has no right to be Luna!"

Voices of agreement rose from every corner of the hall.

Leon released a wave of Alpha pressure, stronger this time, his silver wolf eyes cutting through the crowd like blades. "Who becomes my Luna—is not your decision to make."

Nerissa's eyes lit up. She stepped out from behind him, looped her arm through his, and smiled—soft, tender, her pale face glowing.

Leon looked down at her, and his expression visibly softened.

"And what about Delores?" The Grand Elder pointed at me, his voice cutting through. "Seven years ago, she took a silver blade for you. When you were fighting at the border, she held this territory and soothed the pack. Every wolf in Silvermoon knows—she is our Luna!"

Leon finally looked at me.

For a moment, the coldness in his eyes cracked. Through the mate bond, I felt it—his grief rippling across the connection.

Then he closed his eyes. And severed the link.

Silence stretched between us like a wall I couldn't climb.

I pressed a hand to my throbbing temple and slowly rose to my feet.

"Enough." I swept my gaze across the hall. "I willingly give up the Luna position."

Leon's eyes snapped open. "Delores—do you even hear yourself?"

"Yes." I held his gaze, calm. "From today on, whoever you mark as Luna—has nothing to do with me."

Something raw and tangled churned beneath his gaze. He took a step toward me, like he wanted to reach out—

But Nerissa suddenly pressed a hand to her stomach and winced.

He stopped immediately, turning to steady her. "Is it hurting again? Did the Tear Pearl take damage?"

Nerissa shook her head and leaned into his chest. "I'm fine. As long as you're with me, I'll be fine."

She lifted her face, her eyes soft and hopeful. "Leon… I want to become your Luna soon."

Leon was quiet for a long breath. Then: "Alright."

A smile bloomed on Nerissa's face—but it faded just as fast. She glanced at me, her voice hesitant. "But what about Delo? She's your fated mate… can you really let her go?"

The hall went dead silent.

Leon's body went rigid.

"Alpha…" The Grand Elder's voice trembled. "Silvermoon cannot lose Delores…"

Leon didn't answer.

His eyes rested on me, and for the first time, I saw hesitation—clear and unmistakable.

Then, slowly, the struggle in his eyes faded. Cold settled back in.

He seemed to have convinced himself.

"Delores won't leave Silvermoon." He held my gaze, his tone so certain it bordered on arrogance. "Even if she's not Luna—she'll stay."

The last words were spoken softly. But everyone heard the meaning beneath them.

I was his fated mate. No matter what he did—I would stay for him.

Nerissa still looked unsettled. "But as long as your bond exists, I can never truly be your mate."

Leon closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his decision was made.

"Then I'll sever it."

With those words, he forcibly broke the mate bond between us.

Agony tore through my soul—like a hand reaching into my chest and ripping out half my heart.

Leon and I both dropped to our knees at the same moment, blood spilling from our mouths.

"Delo. Noon tomorrow. Wait for me at the Moon Spring." His voice was hoarse, but still carried that commanding edge. "I'll make it up to you. And I'll explain everything."

I wiped the blood from my lips and shook my head—calm, final.

"No need."

I turned and walked out of the Moon Hall.

Three hours later, I boarded the last flight north.

As the plane prepared for takeoff, my screen lit up.

A text from Leon.

[Delores, don't go. I did all of this—to save you!]

I deleted the message. Then I blocked him.

With a heavy roar of engines, the Silvermoon Territory shrank away beyond the window.