Chapter 4

The two of them left, got into the car, and hadn't emerged from it since.

Their intertwined silhouettes spoke of their intensity.

I stood there a moment, then turned and walked away.

When I got home, I dropped my bag and sank onto the couch.

My phone vibrated.

A message from my friend Riley popped up:

"Got it. Sent the files to your email."

Riley is a private investigator specializing in discreet investigations within the werewolf community.

I'd hired her three days ago to look into Sophia's background.

Her speed is top-notch in the business. I hadn't expected results this quickly.

I opened my email.

A PDF file, thirty pages long.

It detailed Sophia and Liam's history.

The file stated that though they weren't from the same pack, they had known each other since childhood and grown up together.

If she hadn't insisted on breaking up seven years ago, everyone believed they would have been true mates.

I flipped to another page, detailing Sophia's past.

An East Coast migratory wolf. Her parents died in a territory dispute when she was ten.

Orphaned, she was adopted into the Silver Moon pack.

Seven years ago, the Silver Moon pack was taken over.

She became a rogue wolf.

The timeline that followed showed that six years ago, Liam had just been promoted to Alpha.

Sophia appeared on our pack's list of refugee applicants.

Applicant: Alpha Liam.

Reason: Acquisition of special skills talent.

That day was exactly two weeks before our engagement.

That night, Liam said he had emergency pack business to attend to.

I was alone at home, picking out styles for wedding invitations.

But that day, the city's best five-star hotel had a record of their stay.

Was it because she was so grateful for her first love's protection that she offered herself in return?

My fingers trembling, I quickly flipped to the last page.

Riley's summary report:

"Investigation confirmed Sophia established a deep connection with Liam shortly after his Alpha promotion. Before your wedding, she visited the main house multiple times and participated in core decision-making as a 'pack advisor.' After your marriage, she continuously used the excuse of being a 'non-native wolf' to incite the elder council to question Luna Selena, weakening your authority. Current evidence shows she maintained a long-term intimate relationship with Alpha Liam and had clear intentions to replace you."

I closed the file.

My eyes felt dry, but no tears came.

Perhaps it was because my heart had already gone numb.

I stood up and began packing my bags.

In the closet, most of the clothes were things I'd bought myself.

Most of the things Liam had given me were items I had personally requested.

Even then, they were few and far between.

A silk scarf for our anniversary.

A skincare set for my birthday.

A pair of cheap earrings.

...

Altogether, probably not worth as much as one of Sophia's bags.

I didn't take any of them.

Reaching to the back of the closet, I found a box.

I opened it. Inside was a fox canine necklace.

I had personally braided it for him after we completed our mate ritual.

I used the canine of a fox I'd hunted myself during my first Spring Hunt Festival.

On the cord, I'd embroidered a pattern of an intertwined 'L' and 'S' with silver thread.

I was never good with needlework, and I pricked my fingers countless times that day.

When Liam received it, he was deeply moved and held me, saying, "I'll wear this always."

But in five years, I never saw him wear it once.

Holding the necklace, I suddenly laughed.

I laughed so hard that tears started to fall.

So, he never truly intended to accept me from the beginning.

I wiped my tears and threw the necklace in the trash.

Then, I dialed the number of a lawyer I knew.

"Joshua, it's me."

"Selena? It's so late."

"Help me draft a mate severance agreement," my voice was calm. "As soon as possible."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

"Are you sure?" Joshua's voice was cautious. "Severing a mate bond causes immense pain to both parties."

"I'm sure."

"Okay," he sighed. "You can have the first draft by tomorrow morning."

After hanging up, I continued packing.

On the bookshelf were all the texts I'd studied after becoming Luna.

Pack history, ritual regulations, territory management, financial audits.

I'd spent countless nights poring over these difficult subjects.

All to better fulfill my duties as Luna.

But now, it all seemed like a joke.

I didn't take these books.

They belonged to this pack, not to me.

By dawn, I had finished packing all my belongings.

One suitcase, one backpack.

Five years of marriage, and this is all I had.

Joshua sent the agreement precisely at eight.

In the past, I would have been preparing hangover soup for Liam.

I worried about him going to the elder's assembly alone, feared he might feel lonely or burdened by the pressure of managing affairs by himself. Now, I realized it was just my own wishful thinking.

Waving the servants away, I sat at the table and read the agreement word for word.

All the terms were clear:

Mutual voluntary dissolution of the mate bond.

Property divided equally, no claims against each other.

Luna duties immediately terminated, pack affairs to be transferred.

I picked up the pen and wrote my name on the signature line.

My handwriting was steady, without the slightest hesitation.

Then, I opened my email and sent the agreement to Liam.

The subject line contained only one sentence:

"As you wish, we are dissolving our bond."

I clicked send.

I leaned back in my chair and let out a long breath.

Outside the window, sunlight streamed in.

A new day had begun.

And I, finally, was free.