Chapter 2
Selena peeked out from behind Alex.
A few glistening tears rolled down her innocent-looking face, but triumph sparkled deep in her eyes.
"Ms. Ashby, please don't be angry with the Alpha Heir. It's all my fault," Selena said.
She tugged her collar down on purpose to show off the dark-red moon mark Alex had left on her neck. "I'm not worthy enough to refuse the Alpha Heir's favor.
"If you must blame someone, please send me away from the court. Don't let me ruin things between you and the Alpha Heir."
As soon as she finished speaking, the surrounding wolves started whispering among themselves.
"Ms. Ashby is too jealous. The Alpha Heir only took a maid, and she's threatening to reject the bond."
"Exactly. She's a dreg-blood who hasn't even awakened her inner wolf. Being the Luna is already a miracle, and she still dares to overstep her bounds."
"If the bond rejection request were really submitted, she wouldn't make it through the night. The mating bond backlash would tear her soul apart."
As the mocking whispers filled the air, Alex's gaze grew more resolute.
He withdrew his hand, crossed his arms, and looked at me with obvious arrogance. "Did you hear that, Evelyn? No one thinks I did anything wrong."
He let out a soft sigh, like he was doing me a favor. "I'll cut you one last break.
"Take back what you said and stand by my side. We'll finish tonight's ceremony, and you still get to be the respected Luna of the pack."
He paused, a cruel glint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Otherwise, once the Council of Elders starts the bond-severing ritual, the pain of having your soul ripped apart is something your delicate body can't handle."
I paid no mind to his threat.
Pain blurred my vision, but I refused to let it bend my spine.
I stepped past them one slow stride after another, heading for the elders' seats at the front of the hall.
Each step left a vivid, bloody print on the white marble beneath me.
Tiny blood vessels all over my body kept popping from the brutal mating bond backlash.
The Head Elder propped himself up with his bone staff, his brows furrowed as he fixed his gaze on me. "Evelyn, swear by the Moon Goddess.
"If you call off the fated mate bond, you lose the Alpha Heir's protection for good. You could even get chased out of the court. Are you dead set on this?"
I lifted my head and met the Head Elder's aged gaze.
"My mind's made up," I spoke each word slowly, my voice shaking from the agony, but there was not a trace of hesitation. "I'm asking the Council of Elders to grant me the Silver Blade of Severance.
"I wish to sever my mating bond with Alex Sterling for good."
The entire hall fell silent once more.
Alex's cool finally slipped, and for a moment, he couldn't hide the shock on his face.
The Head Elder gave me a long, weighing stare and let out a deep sigh.
He raised his bone staff and struck the stone slab with force.
The dull thud echoed through the vast hall, as if heralding the start of some ancient, mournful ceremony.
Two priests in black robes came forward, carrying an obsidian tray between them.
On the tray were the icy-glinting Silver Blade of Severance and a yellowed parchment scroll.
The moment the Silver Blade of Severance appeared, Alex's face grew grim.
He strode up behind me and seized my wrist.
His grip was so strong I thought he might break my bones.
"Evelyn, have you lost your mind?" He spoke in a low voice, brimming with frustration and anger. "You think hurting yourself will force me to yield?
"If you use the Silver Blade of Severance, your soul will be damaged, and you'll never awaken your inner wolf."