Chapter 2

It hit me then. He hadn't even opened the package.

"I'm glad you liked it," I said, my voice flat.

Asher was clearly pleased with my response. He started humming as he walked to the closet.

"Oh, did you get those three stalks of Dragon's Blood herb I asked for? I'm bringing them to Leo tomorrow."

Dragon's Blood, a rare herb that helped young wolves stabilize their form after their first shift. He’d mentioned it a month ago, and back then, wanting to appear as a gracious Luna, I’d agreed without hesitation.

But now, I had no intention of helping the people who had a hand in my child's death.

"They're gone," I said simply.

Asher spun around, his eyes wide. "What do you mean, 'gone'? That was three stalks of Dragon's Blood! Each one is worth a hundred thousand!"

"Just… gone," I repeated, my tone unwavering.

"Aurora!" His voice trembled with barely controlled rage. "Do you have any idea how important that herb is to Leo? He just had his first shift! This is a critical time for him!"

I just watched him, a wave of sadness washing over me. This man could get so worked up over someone else's child, but he was nowhere to be found when our own pup was fighting for his life.

His phone buzzed. It was Seraphina.

Asher's expression changed instantly. The anger vanished, replaced by gentle concern.

"Seraphina? What's wrong?"

"Asher... Leo says he misses his daddy," the woman's tearful voice came through the speaker. "I don't know what to do. Can you please come see him?"

Asher's face softened with pity. I knew he would go. Ever since Seraphina's mate died in an accident, she had used that excuse to call him away countless times, even when I was pregnant and at my weakest.

"Tell Leo that Alpha Daddy will come see him tomorrow," Asher said softly. "And I'll bring him a present."

"Really? He'll be so happy to hear that," Seraphina's voice was full of gratitude. "Asher, thank you... I don't know what I'd do without you..."

"Don't be silly. We're family."

The word, family, twisted in my heart like a knife.

After the call, Asher turned back to me, his eyes burning with anger again.

"You see? Leo is waiting for his gift! And you're telling me the herbs are gone?"

He paced the room, thinking. Suddenly, his eyes landed on the door at the end of the hall—the nursery we had prepared for our pup.

"That's it," he said, his eyes lighting up as he strode toward the door. "The Crescent Dagger! I can give that to Leo for now. When our own pup is born, I'll get him something even better."

In that single moment, the last shred of feeling I had for him died.

I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Asher. Let's sever our bond."

He stopped, turning to face me. He rubbed his temples, looking exhausted, as if I were just being difficult again. "Over a dagger? Aurora, this isn't funny."

"Or is this just another way to get my attention?"

"I'm not kidding," I said, looking him dead in the eye. "I'm setting you free. To be with Seraphina. That way, you can be Leo's father for real, she won't have to live with a bad reputation, and you can all be a real 'family.'"

"You're being completely unreasonable!" My "blessing" seemed to have finally pushed him over the edge. Asher's face was livid. "You'd threaten to break our bond just because you're jealous? I'll say it again: there is nothing between me and Seraphina!"

"Her mate died, and Leo lost his father! I'm just fulfilling my duty as an Alpha by taking care of my pack members!"

He paused, a look of contempt in his eyes. "The problem isn't me, Aurora, it's you. You see filth in everything because your own heart is dark!"

With a final glare, he stormed toward the door.

"I'll be back when you've calmed down."

Slam!

He slammed the door behind him, and the house fell silent once more.

I stood there for a moment, then drove straight to the Elders' Sanctum.

Inside the temple, three white-haired elders sat on high-backed chairs, looking down at me with solemn eyes.

"Luna, what brings you here at such a late hour?" the head elder asked, his voice low.

I didn't waste time. I placed a file on the stone table in front of them.

"I am petitioning the council for a forced severing of my mate bond with Alpha Asher."

The elders stared at each other, their faces filled with shock.

"Luna, this is no small matter!" the second elder said with a frown. "A mate bond is witnessed by the Moon Goddess. It cannot be forcibly severed unless one party has committed an unforgivable crime."

"He has," I said calmly.

I pushed forward the medical records from my miscarriage. The surgery report and the diagnosis.

"This… When did this happen?!" The head elder's voice was shaking.

"Three days ago."

"Does… does Asher know?"

"He was with Seraphina and her son," I stated the fact plainly, but my body ached as if I were reliving that night all over again.

After a long silence, the head elder closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were full of sorrow and resolve. "We grant your request. As per pack law, in three days, your mate bond with Asher will be officially severed."