Chapter 2

When I noticed Shawn, I directly went straight to him.

I let out a long breath, forcing down the restless growl bubbling inside my wolf.

My voice came out like ice.

“She’s not coming back.”

Shawn's lips twisted into a smile, but his eyes were cold.

"Oh? So she's latched onto some Alpha from a more powerful pack now? And she looks down on our pack, does she?"

So even now, in Shawn's mind, Joanne remained to be so contemptible.

A wave of bleak despair washed over me, mourning the years of Joanne's devotion.

"Shawn, since you hold her in such low regard, why not just reject her? I mean sever the mate bond. It would be better for both of you."

Shawn let out a low and guttural chuckle, "So she has found herself a more powerful Alpha as mate."

"Jose, tell me. Who is the Alpha?"

The predator within Shawn was fully unleashed now, his blue wolf eyes glowing with menace in the shadows, ready to tear me apart at the slightest misstep.

I jerked my head away and bolted for the stairs.

Before my foot could touch the second-floor landing, a brutal force slammed me back against the wall.

Shawn's hot breath, laced with raw and primal dominance, washed over my face.

"Jose. His voice was a snarl forced through clenched teeth, "Tell me! Who the fuck is the Alpha? Tell me!"

Suddenly, a large hand clamped down on Shawn's.

"Enough, Shawn. If you want to see her, just go find yourself. Don't go insane."

The pressure on my collar vanished, and Shawn stumbled back a step.

The cold smirk returned on his face as he nodded slowly.

"Fine. I'll find out. Jose, if I discover you and Joanne conspired to deceive me… out of respect for my brother, I won't hurt you. But she…she won't be spared."

A faint and bitter smile touched my lips as I watched Shawn in a rage swallowed by the gate of the den.

"Look at me."

Edwin's words were full of Alpha dominance.

I did not respond to him, trying to move past him towards Joanne's room.

I hadn't taken even a step before an irresistible force yanked me backward.

Edwin's strides were long and urgent, and I stumbled awkwardly in his wake.

"Let me go, Edwin!"

"You disappeared all last night, and you returned today distracted and spouting nonsense about Joanne being dead. Jose, you are such an insane she-wolf!"

He hauled me into the Alpha's main room, flinging me onto the bed.

Then, his strong body leaned in, and his fingers clamped under my chin fiercely, forcing me to tilt my head up to look at him.

He said with hatred, "Jose, it seems I’ve granted you too much freedom. I remember warning you to stay away from Joanne! She’s a liar, and yet you still defend her lies. You even got the servant to lie to me! Don’t forget—you’re the Luna. It’s a disgrace."

Edwin's contempt for Joanne had never been a secret in the pack.

Three years ago, Joanne’s pack suffered a catastrophe. As the Alpha’s only daughter, she had no choice but to abandon her pride and wander like a rogue, begging for help at the borders of powerful packs.

And now, the contempt he once held for her had shifted—directed at me. But I knew the real reason: his heart had long since turned to Carmen.

I remembered how I collapsed on the floor, dizzy and weak, hoping for someone to help me. But all I got in return was a cold accusation—that I was faking it to get his attention.

My heart had already died.

I stared at Edwin’s face. The features were the same as the one I had once loved, but the soul behind them was a stranger now.

“Edwin,” I said softly, yet firmly, “we need to sever the mate bond.”

We had known each other for five years, and been bonded for three. I had truly hoped to walk beside him until the end—to return to the Wolf Spirit under the Moon Goddess’s gaze, together.

But since Carmen returned six months ago, that dream had shattered beyond repair.

I didn’t want him anymore. I only wanted to be free. Free from the pain, the neglect, and the bond that had become a chain.

Edwin stiffened, disbelief flashing across his face.

“What did you say?”

“I said…” I met his eyes one last time, “…we should sever the mate bond.”