Chapter 3: The Promise I Could No Longer Keep

I was too tired to raise my voice.

"This isn’t just about Selene. I just don’t want this bond anymore."

Adrian slammed his fist on the table, breaking it in the middle. "We agreed to this five years ago, so what changed tonight?"

"Nothing changed tonight, Adrian, and I didn't agree to anything. I'm done pretending," I said, looking at the dissolution papers between us.

He stared at me before pushing back his chair.

"We leave for Moonfall Island tomorrow."

I looked up.

"Selene and I need to complete the fated-mate ritual. Rowan is coming with us."

Adrian reached for his coat. "I’m not discussing this tonight. Stop throwing a tantrum and fix your attitude before we get back."

The next morning, I still went to see them off.

Selene stood beside the aircraft in a white coat, my Luna necklace gleaming against her throat.

Rowan was already beside her, excited but the moment he saw me, he frowned.

"Mom, are you coming?"

"No."

His face brightened. "Good else you'll bore us with your rules. Selene said she’ll show me the Moon Temple."

Selene smiled and glanced at me.

"I hope you don’t mind. Adrian thought it would be good for Rowan to witness the ritual."

"Why would I mind?"

She seemed almost disappointed by my answer then she stepped closer.

"You know, Adrian stayed with me until almost dawn last night. He said his wolf wouldn’t settle."

I looked at her. "Then you should probably get some rest before the ritual so you can please his wolf properly."

Her smile faltered. She had wanted me to be jealous but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

Adrian returned from speaking to the guards and took Selene’s hand.

"Ready?"

She nodded.

He turned to me. "Fix your attitude, Elara."

I almost laughed.

He was leaving to complete his fated bond with another woman, taking our son with him, and he was still speaking to me as though I were the mate waiting faithfully for him to return.

"Have a safe trip."

The three of them boarded the aircraft together. I watched until it disappeared into the clouds then I went home.

By the time I reached the estate, my body felt strangely heavy.

That night, fever burned through me because of the strain on my bond with Adrian.

Half asleep, I dreamed of Adrian at eighteen. We were sitting beside the lake behind his family’s house.

He had taken my hand and kissed my knuckles.

"One day, Elara, I’ll have enough to give you everything you want."

I smiled. "You don’t have anything now."

He laughed. "Then I’ll get everything."

I woke to my phone vibrating. It was Adrian.

I answered weakly. "Hello?"

"Why haven’t you submitted the eastern pack reports?"

I closed my eyes. "I can’t submit them."

"Why?"

I stared at the ceiling. "Because you took away the Luna necklace."

My Luna necklace carried the silver wolf crest that authorized me to act on the Alpha’s behalf.

Selene was wearing it now.

Adrian scoffed, his voice hardening. "Fine. I’ll handle it myself."

The call ended.

I stared at my phone for a long time then I got out of bed.

I went to the Moonstone Registry.

The registrar looked at me with concern. "Luna Elara, are you certain?"

"Yes."

I signed the final dissolution papers.

"What do you want included in the separation agreement?"

"Nothing."

She looked surprised.

"No property? Financial compensation or custody of your pup?"

I shook my head. "Rowan wants to stay with his father and Selene. I’m not going to force him."

My voice nearly broke, but I kept going. "I want only one thing."

The registrar waited.

"Adrian promised me years ago that Rowan would always be his only heir. I want that promise honored."

"You mean you don’t want him to have another pup?"

I nodded. "I don’t want another child contesting Rowan’s place."

The registrar looked at me for a long moment before adding the condition.

I signed.

When I stepped outside, the bond around my chest felt strangely empty.

Before leaving the territory, I went to see Adrian’s mother. She had been kind to me when I had no family of my own.

I wanted to say goodbye properly but when I entered the sitting room, she wasn’t alone.

She was on a video call with Adrian, Selene, and Rowan.

I stopped at the doorway.

Mrs. Blackwood was smiling at them.

"Selene, sweetheart, you look beautiful. Adrian, make sure she rests before the ritual."