Chapter 3

Snow fell harder over the Silvercrest market district, turning the cobblestones slick and white.

Under the amber glow of the street lanterns, Damien looked like he'd been struck. His mouth opened, but nothing came out.

I turned and walked away. "Enjoy your evening. I wish you both the happiness you deserve."

A rogue wolf lunged from the alley.

It happened too fast—a blur of black fur and bared teeth, launched from the shadows between two vendor stalls. Before I could shift, Damien's body slammed into mine, knocking me sideways.

"Sera, get down!"

For one heartbeat, his arms were around me. Warm. Familiar. The ghost of a bond that was already dying.

Then Vanessa screamed.

"DAMIEN! My ankle! It bit me!"

He released me instantly. The force of it sent me crashing into a stone pillar. My shoulder hit the edge, and I felt skin tear. Blood bloomed hot through my sleeve.

Damien was already at Vanessa's side, scooping her up, examining her leg with frantic hands. "It's a puncture wound. I need to get you to the healer. That rogue could've been rabid. I'll hunt it down and—"

I pressed my palm against the pillar and steadied myself. Blood ran down my arm and dripped onto the snow.

He didn't look back.

I watched him disappear down the street, Vanessa cradled against his chest like something precious, her face buried in his neck.

The winter wind cut through my torn sleeve. I laughed softly, and the sound was swallowed by the storm.

I had been his first instinct.

But I was never his final choice.

If a bond couldn't hold, I no longer wanted one.

This time, I would run alone.

…

The seventh day arrived.

Kira drove me to the Silvercrest airfield in her armored SUV, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. She'd removed her sunglasses, and her eyes were swollen and red.

"I hate this," she said. "I hate that you're leaving. But it's the right move. Vaelheim's military technology is decades ahead of ours. This alliance will make Silvercrest untouchable. You're walking in as a queen, not a sacrifice."

She reached into the back seat and tossed me a leather folder.

"I also prepared a little farewell gift. Once you're gone, I'm going to make sure Damien and that scheming bitch remember this day for the rest of their miserable lives."

I leaned back and closed my eyes. A strange calm had settled over me.

Today was the last day. My memories of Damien were already dissolving, fading like breath on cold glass. By midnight, they'd be gone entirely.

The SUV passed through the eastern checkpoint, and I caught a glimpse of the Blackwood Citadel through the trees—its iron gates draped with white banners, luxury vehicles lining the drive.

Through the tinted window, I saw Damien helping Vanessa out of a black car. He wore his ceremonial armor, polished to a mirror shine. She wore a white gown embroidered with silver thread—a Luna's gown.

"Watch the steps, Vanessa."

In our past life, he'd held my hand at every ceremony. Adjusted my crown. Whispered in my ear before every speech.

"Sera, you're my Luna. I won't let anything touch you."

Now, watching him perform the same rituals for another woman felt like watching a play with a recast lead.

The pack's elite surrounded them, bowing, congratulating, fawning over the golden couple.

"May your bond last forever," I whispered. "And may our paths never cross again."

Kira floored the accelerator. "Worthless dog and his flea-bitten side piece. They deserve each other."

As we rounded the bend, our SUV passed Damien's motorcade head-on.

He looked out the window. Something twisted in his gut—a pull, faint and fading, like the last thread of a severed bond.

But he shook it off.

There's no way Sera is heading to the airfield. She's the Silvercrest heir. She'd never agree to a political match with the Winter Wolf.

After tonight, I'll go to her. We'll start over.

…

Inside the Blackwood Citadel's great hall, ancient chandeliers cast fractured light across five hundred guests.

Damien stood at the altar, but his eyes kept drifting to the entrance.

Moments before the bonding ritual began, he pulled his beta aside.

"Where's Sera?"

The beta blinked. "Alpha, Ms. Silvercrest departed for Vaelheim three hours ago. She's serving as the Silvercrest representative for the political alliance with the Volkov Crown. Her transport crossed into Vaelheim airspace twenty minutes ago. Did... did you not know?"