All Chapters of Marked Once, Free Forever: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

I had been with Marcus Hale for eight years. I gave him two children, but his heart had always belonged to another she-wolf. When my cousin, his first love, returned to the pack, I finally realized it was time to end things.I went to the pack's administration office to file the paperwork to leave the pack.But the moment I stepped inside, I heard Marcus's voice."The pack anniversary banquet is next month. That dress fits you perfectly."Then a she-wolf replied, sounding hesitant, "But that gown belongs to the Luna. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to wear it?"My son, Rowan Hale, chimed in eagerly, "It won't be, Aunt Clara. You look way prettier than Mom in it. Can you be our mom instead?"Marcus chuckled and explained gently to Clara Whitmore, "Don't take the kids too seriously. They just really like you. And honestly, that dress was designed for you in the first place. Things just didn't work out back then."A trace of regret flickered in his eyes.I stood hidden behind

After I submitted the request to leave the pack, Marcus approved it almost immediately. I was taken by surprise at first, but after thinking about it, I realized it made sense. He was busy spending time with Clara. He probably skimmed the paperwork and signed it without even noticing who submitted it.I didn't go home right away. I kept driving until I was far beyond the city limits.I had already prepared the agreement to sever the mate bond, but just in case, I had also spent a large sum buying medicine from a witch for that purpose.On the way back, I took a detour to my favorite bakery and bought a slice of strawberry shortcake.The sweetness spread across my tongue, and my mood lifted with it.Even when I got home and saw that the kids had burned a hole through one of my photos, it didn't ruin my good mood at all.When they saw the cream at the corner of my mouth, both of them puffed up angrily."You're a bad mom. You ate a cake in secret and didn't share it with us!"

On the plane, I saw a family of three chatting happily about their vacation plans.Once, that was the kind of life I used to envy.But now, whether it was love or hate toward Marcus, it had all faded into nothing.I arrived at a new pack and completed my new identity papers. In that moment, both my body and mind felt lighter than they ever had before.Breathing in air that finally felt free, I stepped into a brand new world with quiet anticipation.-After spending the entire day out with the kids, Marcus returned home and noticed the kitchen lights were off.A trace of confusion crept in.In the past, no matter how busy I was, I always made it home on time to cook dinner for him and the children. But tonight, the house felt cold and empty.Anger flared. He called me, ready to question me about why dinner wasn't ready.But no matter how many times he dialed, all he heard was the flat voice of an automated message.Marcus's heart sank. An unfamiliar sense of unease spread thr

After arriving at the new pack, I slowly adjusted to life here.Clara and I had graduated from the same medical university. My grades had even been better than hers.But different choices led us down completely different paths.Now, I was determined to make up for the eight years of youth I had wasted.I passed the interview at the pack hospital and officially became a healer.Treating patients became my daily work. Every time I saw the grateful smiles of those I helped, my heart felt lighter than it ever had before.Little by little, I grew close to my coworkers.In our free time, we would even eat and shop together.One evening after work, I ran into a colleague who was also heading home. Since our routes overlapped, we walked together.She suddenly said, "I looked at your résumé. You graduated from a very prestigious school. Why didn't you continue working as a healer after graduation?"The streetlights stretched my shadow long across the pavement. I smiled helplessly."I