Chapter 6

Three days.

For three days, I played the devoted, tender Luna. And every single day, my heart was counting down.

Now, the time had come.

Dawn light broke through the curtains as I opened my eyes. Today was Kael's birthday—the day he planned to announce Sienna and that bastard child. And I was going to give him a gift he'd never forget.

My fingers trembled slightly—a side effect of the bond-severing potion. But I clenched my fists, cold determination drowning out all discomfort.

Outside, the sounds of bustling preparation grew louder, the celebration building momentum. Only I knew how this celebration would end.

"Luna!" The maid knocked at the door. "The Alpha sent me to check on you. The celebration is about to begin!"

"Tell him I'm unwell," I let my voice come out weak. "Tell him to greet the guests first. I'll join shortly."

"But the Alpha specifically instructed—"

"I said I'll join shortly."

The maid's footsteps faded.

I immediately sprang from the bed, swift as a hunting wolf. No time to waste—I had to finish all preparations before Kael came back to check on me.

Gowns from the wardrobe were quickly stuffed into the trunk, coins from the jewelry box tucked into hidden pouches. My fingers brushed the diamond necklace—Kael's token of love.

I tossed it back into the box.

"You're not worth a single memory."

In the desk drawer lay the copied evidence—recording stones, duplicate letters, the witch's confession. I wrapped them carefully and tucked them into the inner pocket against my body.

Outside the window, Kael stood at the center of the crowd, beaming as he accepted congratulations.

"Enjoy it while it lasts. Your last moment of glory."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Damn—I quickly kicked the trunk under the bed and had just collapsed back when the door burst open.

"Elara!" Kael strode in, displeasure written across his face. "Why are you still in bed? Today is so important—"

He stopped short, taking in my pallor.

"I'm sorry..." I propped myself up weakly. "I really don't feel well..."

Kael's expression shifted. I could see him torn—show concern or insist I attend?

"Rest, then." He forced a smile, disappointment flickering in his eyes. "Skip the daytime celebration, but tonight's formal banquet—you must be there. I have something very important to announce."

Something very important?

I knew. He was going to announce that bitch and her bastard, humiliate me before everyone.

"I will." I grasped his hand, devotion shining in my eyes. "I wouldn't miss your important moment for the world."

Kael looked pleased. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Tonight... you'll witness a brand new future."

Yes, a future without you in it.

"I'm looking forward to it."

He finally left.

The moment the door clicked shut, I opened my eyes. Not a flicker of warmth remained.

"Fool," I said coldly. "You think I'll sit here waiting to be humiliated?"

I glanced outside—blazing noon sun, unceasing celebration sounds. Kael was basking in guests' flattery, and Sienna must be somewhere in that crowd, awaiting her "coronation moment."

Perfect.

The perfect time to act.

I sat at the desk before a delicate wooden box. Inside lay a special recording stone—a magical artifact I'd procured from a black market witch, capable of perfectly capturing voice and image.

I pressed my finger to the stone and drew a deep breath.

"Kael." My voice turned cold as winter frost. "By the time you hear this, I'll be gone."

"Eighteen months ago, I thought I'd found my fated mate. I gave you my whole heart, never knowing you'd already condemned me in yours."

"You called me defective, said I couldn't bear children. But do you know why?" I let out a cold laugh. "Because you cursed me yourself!"

The recording stone glowed faintly, faithfully capturing every word.

"You conspired with that lowborn Omega, used dark magic to destroy my body, all for your pathetic freedom and ambition."

"And I, like a fool, believed there was still love between us."

I paused, remembering Sienna's smug face three days ago, every venomous word she'd spoken.

"This is my birthday gift to you. Your betrayal and curse—I return them in full."

"From this moment on, we are done. I hope you and your Omega live happily ever after—if you still get the chance."

The recording ended, the stone warming in my palm. I placed it back in the box and pressed down a note beside it:

"Happy birthday, Kael. May you get everything you deserve."

Night fell, and the pack's celebration reached fever pitch.

I stood alone in the bedroom's center, dressed in simple traveling clothes. The trunk was packed, everything ready.

Only one final step remained.

Severing the fated bond.

I took out the witch's potion—black-red liquid with a pungent smell. This would tear my soul apart, and the slightest mistake could shatter my mind completely.

But I wasn't afraid.

"Compared to your betrayal, what does this pain matter?" I tilted my head back and drank it down.

Three seconds later, hell descended.

The bond deep in my soul began to rupture, like countless knives carving through my heart. I collapsed to the floor, teeth sinking into my lip, blood dripping down my chin.

I couldn't scream. Couldn't let anyone hear.

"Eighteen months of devotion..." I whispered through trembling lips. "Ends tonight."

The bond tore inch by inch, each rip darkening my vision. I clutched the bedpost desperately, nails digging into wood, cold sweat drenching my clothes.

In the most agonizing moment, those sweet memories flashed past like a cruel slideshow.

The flutter of first meeting. The vows at our wedding. Countless nights of tenderness.

All lies.

"Ah—" I finally couldn't suppress a low cry, tears spilling from my eyes.

But those weren't tears of sorrow—they were fury and liberation.

The instant the last thread snapped, the entire world went silent.

I lay crumpled on the floor, gasping. My chest felt hollow, carved out, yet simultaneously lighter than ever before.

"From this moment on..." I struggled upright, wiping away the blood. "You are nothing to me."

I took one last look at this room that had caged me for eighteen months, grabbed my luggage, and pushed open the door.

The hallway stood empty. Everyone was at the square celebrating.

The perfect time to leave.

I walked steadily toward the side door where my arranged caravan waited. Moonlight bathed me, and I knew my eyes no longer held tenderness—only the edge of a blade.

"Goodbye, Kael," I murmured. "I hope you enjoy my gift."

The vow I made three days ago—fulfilled tonight. Your carefully prepared birthday celebration will turn into your funeral.

---

As I stepped through the side door, I looked back one final time at the mansion.

In the brightly lit hall, I could picture Kael surrounded by admirers, soaking up the celebration. He thought he'd announce Sienna's status tonight, thought I would meekly accept it all.

But he would never know that at this very moment, I was leaving with every one of his secrets.

The caravan's carriage waited in shadow. The driver approached immediately. "Luna, everything's ready."

"Don't call me Luna anymore," I said coldly. "I've returned that title to him."

The carriage lurched forward. I sat inside, watching through the curtain as the pack's territory receded. The sounds of revelry gradually faded, and my heart felt an unprecedented calm.

My chest still throbbed—the wound from the severed bond. But compared to eighteen months of torment, what was this pain?

I touched the evidence tucked against my body—those recording stones, those documents. Enough to destroy everything Kael possessed.

"Just wait," I whispered. "The game has only just begun."

The carriage rolled into the night, the full moon hanging high. The former Luna vanished from this land, and when I returned, it would be under a different identity—

One he could never afford to cross.