Chapter 2

"What did you say?" My voice trembled.

Edwin's hands were still on my face, but I felt no warmth.

Only a bone-deep chill.

"Sever the bond? And perform a purification ritual with her?"

"Hazel, let me explain—"

"No." I pushed his hands away, backing up until I hit the wall. "I heard you. You're going to sever our mate bond. For her."

The mate bond.

It was the most sacred tie in the werewolf world.

Deeper than marriage, purer than blood.

The eternal merging of two souls.

And he wanted to break it for another woman.

"It's only temporary!" Edwin explained desperately. "Once her curse is lifted, we can reconnect..."

"Temporary?" The laugh that escaped me was hollow and sharp. "Edwin, do you have any idea what you're asking?"

He fell silent.

Of course he knew.

Severing the bond wasn't a temporary fix.

It was tearing a soul in two.

The agony would leave me a fragile shell, and the connection would never be as deep.

And I only had two and a half days left to live.

"Fine."

The word flew out of my mouth, surprising even me.

"What?" Edwin's eyes widened.

"I said, fine." I smoothed my hair, my voice steady. "If the elders agree, then let's do it. Sever the bond."

"Hazel…" He looked more stunned than I felt. "Are you sure? For you, this will be—"

"Painful?" I walked over to my vanity and started taking off my makeup. "What's a little pain compared to the family's happiness, right?"

In the mirror, Edwin's expression was a storm of conflict.

"Let's do the ritual tomorrow," I said, turning to face him. "The sooner, the better."

The next evening, all the elders gathered in the Moon Goddess Temple.

Silver flames burned on the ancient altar, filling the air with the scent of herbs.

I stood on one side of the altar, Edwin on the other.

The High Elder raised the ceremonial silver dagger. "Luna Hazel, do you consent to sever your mate bond with Alpha Edwin, of your own free will?"

"I do."

"Even knowing it will cause you immense physical and spiritual harm?"

"Even then."

The High Elder nodded and began chanting the ancient words.

The runes on the dagger began to glow, and I felt the mate mark on my chest burn.

"Your hand."

I held out my right hand.

The dagger sliced lightly across my palm, and a drop of silver-tinged blood fell onto the altar.

Instantly, a pain so sharp it felt like my soul was being ripped in two erupted in my chest.

It was the severing of the invisible thread that bound me to Edwin, and my wolf screamed in agony within me.

My body began to tremble uncontrollably.

But I made no sound.

Edwin looked even worse than I felt.

He collapsed to his knees, sweat beading on his forehead.

"It is done," the High Elder announced, putting the dagger away. "The bond is severed."

I tried to stand steady, but my legs felt like water.

The double blow of the curse and the severed bond made it almost impossible to breathe.

Darkness rushed in, and I fell.

When I woke up, I was in my own bed.

I could hear Leo and Edwin talking in the room.

"Daddy, what's wrong with Mommy? Why is she sleeping so much?"

"She's just a little tired, Leo." Edwin's voice sounded exhausted. "The ritual was a heavy burden for her."

"But Auntie Meggie said Mommy's just making a fuss."

Making a fuss.

I kept my eyes closed and listened.

"Auntie Meggie said that truly brave people don't faint from a little pain," Leo said with childish certainty. "She said Mommy is just trying to get attention."

"Leo…"

"Is that true, Daddy?"

A long silence.

Then Edwin said, "Go find Auntie Meggie. She's waiting for you in the guest room."

The sound of footsteps faded away.

I opened my eyes. Edwin was sitting in the chair by the bed, his head in his hands.

"You're awake." He looked up, his eyes a storm of guilt and exhaustion. "How do you feel?"

"Fine." I sat up, my voice flat. "Did the ritual work?"

"It worked," he nodded. "Meggie's condition has stabilized."

"Good."

I got out of bed and walked toward the closet.

My body was still weak, but I had to stay composed.

"Hazel," Edwin stood up. "I know this is hard for you, but—"

"But I should think of the greater good," I finished for him. "Just like you said yesterday."

"Why are you…" He paused. "Why are you so calm?"

Because I'm dying.

Because I have nothing left to lose.

Because I finally see everything clearly.

"Because you were right," I said, turning to face him. "The pack comes first. I just didn't get it at first."

Edwin stared at me, a flicker of unease in his eyes.

"I want to see the elders tomorrow," I said, walking to the door. "About signing over my assets."

"Signing over your assets?"

"If Meggie is taking over the family's holdings, she'll need more resources to back her up." I stopped at the door. "I want to sign a Blood Contract to transfer my remaining personal assets to her as well."

"Hazel, that's not necessary—"

"It is," I cut him off. "A Blood Contract is witnessed by the Moon Goddess. It's the most binding way. And…"

I turned back to him, a perfect smile on my face.

"This way, none of you will ever have to worry about me changing my mind."