Chapter 1When my Alpha mate noticed I hadn't sent him a single payment request in two days, he finally reached out.
"You've been behaving lately. Finally learning to be a frugal Luna."
"As a reward, I've just approved your wolf's treatment to continue."
That's me—Aurora, Luna of the Ravencroft Pack, mate of the almighty Alpha—a woman who has to get approval just to buy a new sweater.
But what he doesn't know?
My wolf's already dead.
Killed by the woman who deliberately rejected my emergency stabilization request—his Beta, his precious "Jade."
Her reason?
"As a Luna, you must always think of the pack. Don't be so greedy!"
The memory made me laugh bitterly inside.
I took the card, pulled on that same faded sweater I'd worn the night he marked me, and walked out the door.
What Declan still doesn't know is that I've already completed the bond severance papers.
I don't need to be his caged Luna anymore.
---
As I walked out of the wolf pack's medical clinic, the healer's voice still echoed in my ears:
"The critical period has passed. Your wolf is gone for good. There's no way to bring it back."
My heart sank, plunging into darkness right alongside it.
When I got to Declan's office at the Alpha Hall, he was busy going over some documents with Jade.
When I brought up ending the mate bond, he didn't even bother looking up—just let out a soft laugh.
"What, mad because I couldn't make it home for dinner last night?"
"Aurora, don't joke around like that. It's not funny."
I lowered my gaze, pushing down the hollow ache spreading through my chest, and said firmly, "Declan, I'm not joking. I want to end our mate bond."
Declan's eyes finally lifted to meet mine.
He stood up from behind his desk and walked over, reaching out to take my hand—but I pulled away.
His hand froze midair, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face.
"Aurora, I know you're upset about the delay in your treatment. But I was trying to help you break your dependency on the meds. It was for your own good."
"Jade was just following my orders exactly. How could you make a scene at the Council meeting and yell at her in front of everyone?"
"I restored your funding access yesterday. Darling, my time is valuable. I've got an entire pack to run. Don't make me waste more of it dealing with your drama, alright?"
Before I could say anything, he glanced at his watch.
"I've got a call in five. I'll grab your favorite cupcakes on my way home tonight. Just wait for me at the house, okay?"
He was certain I couldn't leave him, certain that the tiniest bit of sweetness would be enough to make me fall in line again.
After all, in the past, even when he'd left me standing in the pouring rain so he could pick up Jade, all it took was a quick "She's like a sister to me" for me to swallow my tears.
But now, I didn't care about some damn cupcakes anymore.
And whether the treatment funds were back or not didn't matter either.
If Declan had just answered my call during his precious meeting two days ago, maybe I'd still be living in denial.
Back then, I'd begged him, practically pleading for him not to hang up, to just hear me out one more time.
But my voice was no match for Jade's sugary tone in the background:
"Alpha, do you think the Luna got the wrong idea about me? I was just pointing out that the amount is pretty large. You know, I wouldn't dare approve it without a proper breakdown."
"If the Luna really needs it right away, I'd be happy to approve it even if it bends the rules a little—but I'm worried that if the Elders look into it later, it might hurt your reputation, Alpha..."
"That's why I was a bit stricter with the approval process, so the Luna can learn the proper procedures for the Ravencroft Pack."
Hearing that, Declan bought it completely, forgetting all about my desperate pleas.
"Aurora, you see? Jade is so considerate, always thinking about what's best for me."
"Why can't you be more like her? Stop being so rude."
"Listen to Jade. Get the paperwork sorted out, and then we'll talk."
Rude?
Does it look like I could care? I could even care LESS!
Huh, it was always the same story whenever I needed him for anything.
Like, "I'm out doing territory checks—talk to Jade if you need something."
Or, "Just follow whatever Jade tells you."
And, "Do what Jade says."
I was supposed to be his Luna, the leader of this pack, but I had zero respect.
Forget regular outings—even for formal events a Luna was required to attend, or rituals where I had to stand beside him,
I had to ask his Beta for permission to get a dress and jewelry.
And every single time, Jade would flash me a sweet smile while casually rejecting my requests.
"Luna, blue isn't the Alpha's favorite color, and these moonstone earrings don't match your status. Please redo your request."
"Oh, Luna, you turned this in too late. All the designer gowns are taken. How about you wear this one from last season? You're naturally pretty anyway—the Alpha won't mind."
"Luna, why is it always like this with you? Just look at what you submitted! Didn't I tell you to double-check everything before asking for my approval?"
She always dragged things out until the very last second, forcing me to stand there awkwardly next to a perfectly dressed Declan in some ill-fitting, outdated outfit.
And Declan would wrap his arm around my waist, leaning in to whisper:
"Aurora, why are you wearing this one again? I don't mind you being thrifty, but don't embarrass Ravencroft's reputation!"
"You can't even handle something this simple. You still need Jade to arrange things for you. When will you ever become a Luna who can stand on her own?"
The only reason I couldn't handle these "simple things" was entirely because of Declan's "invaluable Beta."
But he couldn't see it. And he didn't care.
Just like how he knew my wolf was critically unstable, that the medication couldn't be stopped, and the treatment schedule couldn't be delayed.
Yet he still told me, like it was obvious, to just go and talk to Jade.
Chapter 2
Prying medical funds out of Jade's grip?
Might as well try wrestling a fresh kill from a feral Alpha mid-frenzy.
"Two hundred K for some wolf-spirit meds? Seriously, Luna—are you just padding your shopping budget here?"
"That's not exactly chump change. Luna, before I stamp anything, I'm gonna need a proper breakdown. This one's a hard pass for now."
I told her straight: this was emergency moonstone therapy. The full treatment roadmap wouldn't exist until after my wolf pulled through the crisis phase.
Jade tapped one crimson nail against her jaw, her face suddenly lighting up like she'd just cracked the Da Vinci Code.
"Ohhh, gotcha. My wolf's always been a tank—never needed any of this fancy intervention stuff. Totally out of my depth here."
"But you know how it is—pack finance rules are brutal. Loopholes everywhere. Tell you what, Luna—get the Moon Priestess to sign off on an emergency cert, then I'll green-light it?"
Her eyes sharpened into slits.
"Course, even priestesses have their price. Not saying you'd pull something, Luna—just doing my due diligence for the Alpha's sake."
"Maybe toss in a copy of the pack's medical regs too? You know, for the paper trail."
Just like that, Jade dragged her feet until the critical treatment window slammed shut for good.
By the time the money actually landed, even the pack's top healer just shook his head and looked away.
Right then, pure venom twisted up with bone-deep agony inside my chest.
This was it. The end of the line.
Something heavy pressed down on my ribs.
My wolf let out one last strangled cry somewhere deep in my skull—then nothing.
Just silence.
This mate bond wasn't some holy lifeline anymore.
It was a leash. A collar. A cage I'd been too blind to see.
The second I mapped out my next move, this weird calm washed over me—like years of his Alpha pressure had just disappeared into the air.
So when I scrolled past Jade's smug little post on the pack feed, I didn't even flinch.
Photo showed Declan wrapping his arms around hers, "correcting her stance" during sparring drills.
I was chill enough to screenshot it. Then I hit like.
Declan's replies came faster than a wolf on a blood trail whenever Jade was involved.
"Aurora, what are you doing liking that? It was just training. Stop overthinking."
"You know damn well you're the only one I care about. Jade's my right hand. Basically family."
Another message popped up instantly:
"Look, you already liked it—un-liking now just screams insecurity. Everyone saw."
"Do me a favor and drop a nice comment on Jade's post. Shows you're secure in your role as Luna, keeps up appearances for me. You've always been good about that stuff, right?"
I almost didn't reply.
But the bitterness sitting in my throat wouldn't go down.
So I gave him exactly what he asked for.
"Beta Jade really is the ultimate 'family.' Handles Alpha business and his personal life. Controls the Luna's seal, manages my mate's schedule... such dedication. Must be exhausting."
"All those pennies you're pinching for him now? They'll be yours to blow when you finally take my spot. Then you won't have to live like a broke college kid the way I do."
I dropped my phone on the side table after that.
And started gathering my things.
My phone went off like a alarm. Voice message from Declan.
Since the bond was dead—no wolf meant no mind-link—he had to spam my phone like a normal person.
I hit play.
His voice had that edge of panic creeping in: "Aurora! What the hell are you saying? Did someone hack your account?"
"Babe, cut it out. Just delete the comment and let's talk like adults..."
I shut the phone off completely. Tossed it onto the couch.
Finally. Silence.
Packing went fast.
After all everything valuable that technically "belonged to the Luna" was locked behind a keypad-protected door in the study anyway.
All this time, I'd been squatting in a house that was never mine.
Just a guest who overstayed her welcome.
Even my scent was barely there—just a faint smudge in the corners.
Only now could I see it all clearly.
Chapter 3
Declan showed up fast.
That's Alpha speed for you.
When they give a damn, distance collapses into seconds flat.
Of course he didn't race back here out of concern for me.
He came back because he thought I'd severed the mind-link.
For a control-freak Alpha like him, having your mate cut off mental access without permission?
That's basically a public slap in the face.
He didn't even glance at the sad little duffel bag sitting by my feet.
Just marched straight over, trailing Jade's perfume like a damn signature.
"Aurora, sweetheart," his thumb brushed my jaw.
"Why'd you suddenly ghost the link? My wolf can't sense you. He's going nuts in here."
I jerked my head away. "I need space."
His hand dropped. He blinked, then smoothly slid his arm across my shoulders instead.
"Still hung up on that training pic?"
"Aurora, you know Jade's just my Beta. She works her ass off for this pack. As Alpha, part of my job is making sure my pack can handle themselves in a fight."
"The Council and Elders already side-eyes you because of you are an Omega," he exhaled, his breath warm against my neck.
"Don't make yourself look paranoid over nothing, yeah?"
Hearing that made my stomach twist—but part of me wanted to laugh.
This was Logan's playbook.
Always had been. Hand me a blade wrapped in sugar, then act shocked when I bled.
He'd watch me choke it down and still expect me to say thank you.
"Paranoid?" I stepped back, breaking his grip.
"Seems our Alpha's got a lot on his plate. So much he can't even tell when his Beta's playing dress-up as Luna."
The smile on Declan's face went stiff.
"Aurora, since when did you get this touchy?"
"It's rough for a young wolf like Jade trying to prove herself in a pack this size. You're the Luna. You should be lifting her up, not buying into pack gossip!"
"Last time you blew up at the council meeting over that payment issue, Jade was crying all night—and she still defended you!"
He looked at me like I'd just kicked a puppy.
"I give you everything you could want. Isn't that so you can relax and not stress? If you keep going after Jade like this, honestly? I'm disappointed."
"Plus, your wolf's already fragile. Getting worked up like this isn't helping."
"Aurora, just trust me on this. Stop overthinking. Let Jade handle the logistics and focus on getting your wolf healthy first."
I finally cracked.
Right in front of him, I grabbed the zipper of the duffel bag at my feet and ripped it open.
"Everything I could want? A stress-free life?"
"Declan—is this your version of LOVE?!"
The bag gaped open. Completely hollow inside.
Just a handful of T-shirts, washed so many times the fabric had gone threadbare and the necklines sagged like old skin.
Clothes I'd packed two years ago when he first marked me.
"I'm walking out that door, and I can't even scrape together five decent outfits!"
"In this so-called paradise, I have to file paperwork to get a haircut. I need to wait for your precious Beta to feel generous before I can buy a single tube of lip gloss. The housekeepers in this place pocket more cash per month than your Luna does!"
Declan's brow furrowed. "Aurora, don't be dramatic…"
I ignored him, grabbed the sleeve of his designer suit, and dragged him over to the locked storage closet.
I jabbed a finger at the glowing red scanner above the handle.
"Go ahead, my devoted Alpha. Tell me how to crack this thing."
"You need a passcode, a fingerprint scan, and remote approval from our goddess of a Beta!"
"What kind of treasured Luna gets treated like a charity case, begging scraps from a Beta?!"
Declan stared at the lock, his expression totally blank.
He turned to me, eyes wide with confusion. "That's what this is about?"
"Babe, you're making this whole dramatic exit—threatening to leave—just because accessing money is inconvenient?"
"Or… are you seriously just jealous that Jade has clearance?"
Hearing that, something inside me froze over completely.
All my rage, all my grief—he saw it as nothing but a tantrum from some shallow, materialistic mate.
I let go of his sleeve. Took two steps back. My gaze went flat.
"Forget it, Declan. I don't care about it anymore."
"I want to sever the mate bond."
