Chapter 1 The Severance Chapter 1 : The Severance Chapter 1 : The Severance ( Elena's POV ) " Elena , have you thought it over ? Are you really transferring to Riverside Pack's Healing Center ? " Director Henry Baker looked at my transfer report with surprise . I nodded firmly , my decision already made . " Yes , Director . Ive considered it thoroughly . " His brows furrowed as he examined the paperwork . " But you're our best healer . The Shadow Moon Pack needs you here . " " The Riverside Center has offered me a senior position . It's a good opportunity . " The words felt hollow even as I spoke them The truth was far more painful . I couldn't bear to stay in the Northern Territory any longer , not with my mate bond to Marcus Blackwood becoming more unbearable each day . Six years of marriage to the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack had brought me nothing but heartache . " Is this because of Sophia Rivers ' return ? " Director Baker asked carefully . My heart clenched at the name . Sophia Rivers - Marcus's first love who had suddenly reappeared after years away . The she wolf he had never forgotten , even after mating with me . " This is a professional decision ," I lied smoothly . " Nothing more . " How could I explain that watching Marcus place Sophia in this very institute , forcing me to see her every day , had finally broken something inside me ? That I couldn't bear witnessing his gentle smiles toward her when he had only ever shown me cold indifference ? " Very well , " Director Baker sighed , stamping my transfer request . The paperwork will be processed within the week . I thanked him and turned to leave , my heart heavy but my resolve firm . As I stepped into the corridor outside the Director's Office , my breath caught in my throat . There , just a few feet away , stood Marcus Blackwood - my mate in name only - with Sophia Rivers and her pup , Oliver . The three of them looked like a perfect family portrait . Marcus stood protectively close to Sophia , his golden eyes warm as he gazed down at her . The little boy clutched Marcus's hand with familiar ease The sight sent a sharp pain through our mate bond - a connection Marcus had always resented . Sophia noticed me first , her smile bright and seemingly genuine . " Oh , Elena ! it's so nice to see you again ." I forced myself to nod politely , though my wolf whimpered inside me at the sight of another she - wolf so close to my mate . " I don't think we've been properly introduced ," Sophia continued cheerfully . " I'm Sophia Rivers , Marcus's childhood friend . We grew up together in the Shadow Moon Pack . " Friend . What a convenient understatement . Everyone knew she had been much more than that . The little pup beside her looked up at me with curious eyes . " Are you a healer too ? Like my mommy ? " Chapter 1 The Severance . Before I could answer , he turned to Marcus with adoration . " Daddy Marcus , in the your friends . My heart stopped . Daddy Marcus ? Marcus didn't correct him . Instead , he gently stroked the boy's head , his expression softening in a way had never seen directed at me . " Oliver , " Sophia chided gently , though she didn't correct him either . I stared at Marcus , silently begging him to explain , to deny what seemed obvious - that this pup was somehow his . That before our six years of mating , he had been with Sophia . But Marcus merely looked at me with cold detachment , as though I were a stranger rather than his Luna . A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it . Of course . Our confidentiality agreement . The one that stipulated our mating would remain private , that I would never publicly claim him as my mate . The memories flooded back unbidden . How I had saved Marcus's life years ago after a devastating accident . How his grandmother, Margaret Blackwood - the former female Alpha and still the most powerful member of the Blackwood family - had suggested our mating as repayment . " You saved my grandson's life , " Elder Margaret had said . " In return , the Blackwood family will give you everything - wealth , status , protection for your family . " When I discovered Marcus was actually my fated mate , I had been overjoyed and accepted Elder Margaret's suggestion . But for Marcus , our mating was nothing but an unwanted obligation . He had made the terms clear : keep distance , don't speak to him in public , never use our mate bond to communicate unless absolutely necessary , and above all , never reveal our mating to anyone . For six years , I had endured this half - life , sustained by the foolish hope that he might eventually develop feelings for me . But now , seeing him with Sophia and Oliver , I finally understood the truth . To Marcus , I would never be more than a cunning , greedy she - wolf who had made a shameless deal with his grandmother to become his Luna . " Excuse me , " I managed to say , my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside me . " I have patients waiting . " I walked away , my back straight and my head high , even as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces . Once alone in the Shadow Passage , I leaned against the wall , struggling to breathe through the pain radiating from our mate bond . My wolf howled in anguish , but I forced her down . I had submitted my transfer application without informing Marcus . What was the point ? Our relationship existed only on paper . He would probably be relieved to have me gone . That afternoon , I drove to the Blackwood Ancestral Manor , determined to speak with the one person who had orchestrated this entire situation . Margaret Blackwood sat regally in her private study , her silver hair gleaming in the afternoon light . Despite her advanced age , she remained formidable , her red wolf's power evident in her piercing gaze . " I'm severing the mate bond with Marcus . I announced without preamble . Her eyes narrowed slightly . " Have you discussed this with my grandson ? " " There's nothing to discuss . He's made his feelings clear ." Chapter 1 The Severance Margaret studied me carefully . " Remember our agreement , Elena . The Blackwood family has provided for you and your entire family for six years . " * I've fulfilled my end of the bargain , " I replied . " I've been the perfect Luna in private , the perfect healer in public . I've never complained , never demanded more than the cold shell of a relationship Marcus offered " Something like respect flickered in Margaret's eyes . " Very well . The Blackwood lineage no longer owes you anything . You're free to go . " The words should have brought relief , but instead , they left me feeling hollow . When I returned to Moonhaven Estate that evening , I found Marcus , Sophia , and Oliver in the Great Hall My heart constricted painfully . This estate had been our home - mine and Marcus's . The one place I had foolishly believed belonged just to us . Seeing them there , comfortable and domestic , was the final blow Sophia smiled when she saw me . " Elena ! We were just having dinner . id you like to join us ? " Before I could decline , she asked innocently , " I've been meaning to ask - do you have a mate ? Someone as accomplished as you must have wolves lining up . " I felt Marcus's stern gaze on me , warning me to maintain our secret . Even now, he couldn't bear the thought of anyone knowing we were mated . " No , " I lied , the word burning my throat . " I don't have a mate " Later that night , I packed my belongings in the Master Suite , a sense of finality washing over me . I removed our mating ceremony photo from its frame and dropped it into a box of discarded memories . The door opened , and Marcus entered , his expression unreadable . " What are you doing ? " he asked , eyeing my half - packed suitcase . " What does it look like ? I'm leaving . " " Because of Sophia and Oliver ? " His tone was accusatory , as though I were being unreasonable . " Is he yours ? " I asked directly , needing to hear the truth . Marcus avoided the question . " You're being ridiculous . You got what you wanted - the title of Luna , the security for your family . What more do you expect ? " His words cut deeper than any knife . After six years , he still believed I had mated him for status and security . " We need to talk . Marcus stopped at the Shadow Gate Foyer , looking at me with a hint of impatience in his golden eyes , an expression of cold indifference . " What is it now ? " I clutched the silver pendant that had replaced my mating mark during our ceremony , gathering my courage " Let's sever the mate bond . " I was ready to release him from our unwanted connection . " I'll set you free . " Marcus's expression became even more gloomy . " I will not agree to breaking our bond ." I was taken aback . " Why ? " I asked . Chapter 2 : The Rejection Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!