We End Here

My mate, Raelor Thorne, is the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack. He once swore that in this lifetime, he would mark only me.

Yet one month before our marking ceremony, he insisted that he must first mark with Seraphine Morcant, his late brother's mate. He claimed it was to comfort her and preserve his brother's bloodline. He said he would help her conceive an heir, so the line would not die.

I refused.

He brought it up every day after that, pressing harder each time, leaving me no room to breathe.

Then, half a month before the ceremony, I received a report from the Pack Healing Sanctum.

It stated clearly that Seraphine had already been marked and was nearly one month pregnant.

In that moment, I finally understood. Raelor had never intended to ask for my consent.

So I canceled the marking ceremony. I burned every token that tied us together.

On the day we were meant to bind our lives, I left Silvermoon Territory alone.

I traveled to the Obsidian Pack to further my mastery of healing arts and formally accepted the position of Chief Healer within their Order.

From that day forward, there would be nothing left between Raelor and me.

No bond. No mercy. No return.

There were fifteen days left until my Marking Ceremony with Raelor Thorne.

He sat on the Alpha’s stone seat, his tone casual, almost indifferent.

"Freya, I’ve told you many times. Seraphine’s situation in the pack is difficult. Since my brother, Theron Thorne, died, the Council of Elders has been trying to drive her out of the core territory.

"Only if she carries a pup with Alpha blood can she secure her position as the former Alpha’s mate.

"Theron died saving me. This isn't merely repayment for his life. It’s for the purity of Silvermoon’s bloodline."

His voice was low. Each word sounded like an order.

Three months ago, the Bloodfang Pack attacked. Raelor had been surrounded and knocked unconscious. Theron had charged into the battlefield and used his own body to block the fatal strike meant for him.

Theron had died, leaving behind his mate, Seraphine.

From that day forward, Seraphine became the forbidden place in Raelor’s heart.

I didn’t understand.

To repay a life debt, he would sacrifice our Marking Ceremony? He would make me the laughingstock of the entire pack?

"It would only be a formal mark and breeding," Raelor said as he rose and walked toward me. "There would be no feelings between us. It’s only to leave behind a pup."

He stopped in front of me and reached out to touch my shoulder. "I love you, Freya. You are the future Luna. You should understand me. Support me."

I stepped away from his hand and stood abruptly. Cold fury churned inside my chest. "Raelor, our Marking Ceremony is next month. And now you’re telling me you’ll mark Seraphine first and have her carry your pup?

"Then what am I? A hidden mistress? Or an ornament to secure