Chapter 2

Aria's POV

“I need a formal separation.” At the Pack Registry, I pushed the severance papers across the desk. My voice was calm.

“I’m sorry, ma’am.” He pushed the papers back. “I can’t process this for you.”

“Why not?” I frowned. “According to pack law, I have the right to file for a unilateral…”

“It’s not about the law.” The clerk swallowed hard and pointed at the heavy leather ledger. “It’s because… in the Pack Registry, you were never the Luna of the Silverpaw pack.”

I froze.

“The records show that Alpha Caleb only marked you. He never filed the paperwork.” The clerk lowered his voice. “Officially, the two of you were never mated.”

It didn’t count.

My mind roared. In that one second, everything I believed in turned to ash.

Behind me, two guards sorting files started whispering.

“See? I told you. No way the Alpha was going to let some common herbalist be his real Luna.”

“I remember that day two years ago. The Alpha said it himself: ‘Since I can’t have the woman I truly want, I won’t stain the sacred records with another woman’s name.’”

The woman I truly want.

His adoptive sister, Chloe?

He used me as a shield to clear the way for Chloe and Rowan.

And he couldn't even give me the title. He thought my name would tarnish his precious record.

I stood there, digging my nails into my palms until they broke the skin.

After a few seconds, I laughed.

The last shred of hope inside me shattered into dust.

Of course. Caleb had saved me the trouble of a formal separation.

No bond. No legal ties.

I could walk away clean. Anytime I wanted.

“Thank you.” I took back the form and walked out.

I didn’t go back to the villa. I went straight to the bus station on the south side of town.

“One ticket to the Human Neutral Zone.” I pushed the last of my cash through the window.

“The soonest is in four days.”

“I’ll take it.”

Four days.

In four days, I would be gone forever. I’d go to my Aunt Diana, who ran a botanical sanctuary.

The moment I held that thin paper ticket, I let out a long breath.

It felt like I could breathe again.

…

That evening, I returned to the luxurious prison he called a home.

As I reached the main gate, I ran right into Caleb and Chloe, laughing and talking.

Guards followed them, hands full of designer shopping bags. Chloe was wearing a brand-new couture dress, looking like a spoiled princess.

And there I was. In a thin black coat, my face as pale as a ghost.

My face went cold. I walked straight past them.

“Aria.”

Caleb caught up, pulling off his own overcoat and wrapping it tightly around me. He pulled me into a half-embrace.

He frowned, his voice full of worry and blame.

“Why aren’t you in bed?” He sighed, gently tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “You just had the procedure. You’re weak. The wind is so strong out here, what if you get sick?”

He sounded so sincere. Like I was actually the treasure he held closest to his heart.

“Caleb, maybe Aria just wanted some fresh air,” Chloe chimed in, her voice sweet but her eyes glinting with challenge.

I pulled my arm back. My voice was flat. “Just taking a walk.”

Caleb’s fingers grasped at empty air.

He was used to my gentle obedience. My coldness clearly threw him off.

A flicker of annoyance, of his control being challenged, crossed his eyes before he masked it with that perfect, loving facade.

“Don’t be stubborn with your health.” His voice softened, like he was coaxing a child. “I had the kitchen make you a rich healing broth. Go back to your room and rest. I’ll bring it up to you myself.”

I ignored him and walked upstairs.

…

Night fell.

My bedroom door opened. Caleb walked in, carrying a steaming bowl of tonic.

He set the bowl down and came over, half-lifting, half-guiding me to the table.

“Drink it while it’s hot.” His tone was flawless. He even picked up the spoon and stirred it gently. “The kitchen simmered this all afternoon with the best herbs. I told them to add extra calming herbs. It will help you recover.”

I looked down at the dark red liquid.

Then I looked up at Caleb.

He held me in a loose embrace, but his eyes—those eyes that always stared at me with such deep love—were flickering away.

He couldn't meet my gaze.

I looked at his perfect, fake expression, and my heart turned to ice.