Chapter 4

I woke up slowly.

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the full moon hanging outside my window. It was high in the sky, bathing the world in silver light.

The full moon.

Tonight was Silas and Ravenna's mating ceremony.

A faint, sharp pain pulsed in my chest, like something was slowly being torn in two. My soul was being ripped from his. My wolf howled in my mind, a mournful sound.

I could hear music and laughter from outside the pack house. The ceremony had already begun.

I struggled to sit up, feeling incredibly weak.

"Gods, you're finally awake!" The healer rushed in. "You were out for two days. I thought… here, drink this healing potion. Quickly."

"No need." I pushed his hand away and staggered to my feet.

I walked out of the room. The moonlight fell on my pale face.

In the distance, the ceremonial grounds were lit up, and the sound of guests laughing carried on the wind.

It was time for me to go.

I reached out to Marcus through the mind link.

Come to the silver chamber. Now. It's time.

Ten minutes later, Marcus hurried into the chamber, his face etched with worry.

"Ember, are you crazy? You just lost all that blood from your heart, your wolf is unstable. Can't you wait until the next full moon—"

"It has to be today," I cut him off. "I can't wait."

Marcus hesitated, then finally nodded.

The tools for the silver-fire brand were brought out. It was a silver iron, carved with intricate runes, glowing red-hot in a brazier.

I laid myself on the cold stone slab, stripped off my shirt, and bared my back to the fire.

"Begin."

Just then, a massive cheer erupted from outside.

"Alpha Silas! Luna Ravenna!"

"Mate! Mate! Mate!"

The pack was celebrating their union.

Marcus picked up the iron brand. Its silver light flickered in the dark room.

"I'm sorry, Ember."

The searing hot iron pressed against my shoulder blade.

White-hot agony exploded through me. I bit down hard, forcing myself not to scream. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.

At the same time, the pain in my chest grew sharper. The mate bond was breaking, thread by thread.

A second brand. A third.

Each searing burn was met with a louder cheer from outside.

They were celebrating a new bond while I was here, being marked as a traitor.

"Mark her! Mark her! Mark her!"

The chant grew louder. It was time. Silas was about to mark Ravenna.

Just as the iron came down for the fourth time, a violent, ripping pain exploded in my chest. My wolf let out a choked, desperate howl of pure agony.

SNAP.

The bond was gone.

It was done. The fated connection between me and Silas was gone.

"It's over," Marcus said, his voice thick as he put down the brand. "Ember, you should stay in the pack for a few days, at least until you heal—"

"No." I trembled as I pushed myself up. "I'm leaving now."

I tried to stand, but the weakness and pain were too much. I couldn't hold my human form.

Light flared, and I shifted. In my place stood a gaunt, silver-white she-wolf, her fur matted with sweat and blood. My wolf form was badly injured, and I stumbled, but I stubbornly headed for the door.

"Ember…" Marcus started to say, reaching for me.

I glanced back at him, my eyes full of grim resolve.

Then I walked out of the silver chamber, out of the pack house, and limped toward the border of the territory, one painful step at a time.

---

Silas’s POV

The mating ceremony was going perfectly.

Ravenna and I stood on the moonlit altar, accepting the blessings of the pack. She looked flawless in her ornate white dress—the perfect Luna.

Just as I was about to complete the final marking, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the distance.

It was a silver-white wolf, stumbling toward the border.

The shape… it looked like Ember.

But Ember should still be in the infirmary. She lost too much blood. There was no way she could have recovered so quickly.

It had to be a trick of the light.

"Silas?" Ravenna whispered, her cheeks flushed. "Tonight… we can…"

Her meaning was clear. As newly mated partners, we were expected to complete the bond tonight.

I tore my eyes away from the forest and swept Ravenna into my arms.

"Of course, my Luna."

The guests cheered even louder, celebrating their new Alpha pair.

As I carried my new Luna toward our chambers, the silver she-wolf melted into the shadows at the edge of our territory.

Gone.