Chapter 10: The Last Goodbye

Snow continued to fall over Moonvale long after the celebration ended.

Most of the guests had retired for the night, but Seraphina remained awake, standing beside the window of her guest chamber.

She watched the white flakes drift through the darkness, her thoughts quieter than they had been in weeks.

For the first time since the festival, she wasn't angry.

She was simply... tired.

Tired of hoping.

Tired of pretending everything could return to the way it once was.

A soft knock echoed through the room.

"Come in," she said.

The door opened slowly.

Kael stepped inside.

"I thought you'd still be awake," he said.

"You know me too well."

"I used to."

Her words made him pause.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

"One last honest conversation."

Seraphina nodded and gestured toward the fireplace.

Neither of them sat.

The distance between them felt impossible to cross.

"I've spent weeks convincing myself this will pass," Kael admitted.

"Every morning I wake up believing I'll finally overcome the bond."

"And every morning it grows stronger."

He slowly lowered his head.

"Yes."

Seraphina smiled sadly.

"Thank you for finally saying it out loud."

"But that doesn't mean I love you any less."

"I know."

"Then don't leave."

"Kael..."

She stepped closer, close enough to gently hold both of his hands.

"Look at me."

He raised his eyes.

"You're exhausted."

"So are you."

"Because we're both fighting something neither of us created."

A painful silence settled between them.

"Do you remember what you once told me?" she asked.

"Which time?"

"The night you made me your Luna."

Kael's expression softened.

"I said I'd always protect your happiness."

"Exactly."

"You kept that promise for seven beautiful years."

Tears gathered in his eyes.

"I don't want those years to become meaningless because of what's happening now."

"They never will," Seraphina whispered.

"No matter where life takes us... those memories belong to us."

"Us..." Kael repeated quietly.

"I'm afraid there won't be an 'us' much longer."

Seraphina didn't deny it.

Instead, she gently removed the silver wedding ring from her finger.

She looked at it for several seconds before placing it into Kael's trembling hand.

"Seraphina..."

"Keep it."

"No."

"Please."

"I can't accept this."

"You have to."

His fingers tightened around the ring as tears finally rolled down his face.

"I failed you."

"No."

"Fate failed both of us."

She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his.

"Don't spend the rest of your life blaming yourself."

"How can I not?"

"Because loving me was never your mistake."

"And loving Lyra wasn't your choice."

Kael closed his eyes.

He wanted to stop time.

To freeze this moment forever.

But even an Alpha couldn't command destiny.

The following morning, Silvercrest's delegation prepared to leave Moonvale.

Before departing, Seraphina quietly excused herself from the group.

She walked alone to the ancient Moon Shrine hidden behind the castle gardens.

Kneeling before the weathered stone altar, she whispered a silent prayer.

"Moon Goddess..."

"If this is truly the path you've chosen... then give me the strength to walk away with dignity."

A cold breeze swept through the shrine.

For a brief moment, the clouds parted, allowing a single beam of sunlight to illuminate the altar.

Seraphina slowly stood.

Her heart felt strangely calm.

She had made her decision.

Back at the palace gates, Kael helped her into the carriage.

"We'll talk when we get home," he said hopefully.

She offered him a gentle smile.

"Yes... when we get home."

But deep inside, she already knew.

She wasn't planning to stay there much longer.

Far to the north, hidden within the endless mountains of the Shadowlands, the Dark Alpha stood beside a frozen lake.

A raven landed on his shoulder carrying another message.

He opened it and read only a single sentence.

"She has finally let go."

A faint smile crossed his face.

"Then the time has come," he murmured.

"Prepare the northern passage."

"Our future Luna is about to begin her journey."