Chapter 3

I stared coldly at the hand wrapped around my wrist.

That hand had warmed my feet on countless cold winter nights and had shielded me in times of danger.

But now, it carried the scent of another she-wolf, making me feel sick to my core.

"Let go," I snapped, my tone icy.

Alex didn't let go. Instead, he yanked me closer.

Dark gold flecks flickered wildly in his eyes. His inner wolf was burning with frantic restlessness.

"Fine." He laughed in fury, suddenly letting go of my hand and turning to face the pack below. "Since Ms. Ashby thinks being my Luna is beneath her, I've got an announcement to make in front of the whole pack."

He pulled Selena to his side and lifted her hand high. "From now on, Selena is no longer a maid. I name her Alpha Consort, and I hereby grant her ownership of half the territory on the east side of Moonspire!"

The crowd broke into an uproar.

Alpha Consort was a prestigious rank, second only to Luna, with the authority to command the court guards.

Moonspire was always exclusive to the Alpha and Luna.

Selena was shaking with excitement. She nearly collapsed to her knees and kissed the tip of Alex's boot. "Thank you for your great favor, Alpha Heir. I'd give up my life and soul for you."

Alex looked on at her submission with clear satisfaction.

Then he turned to me, his eyes blazing with challenge, utterly sure of himself.

He thought that stripping me of my territory and honoring the maid I hated most would break me down into tears and make me beg him to reverse his decision.

After all, everyone saw me as a she-wolf with no fighting power who couldn't survive without Alex.

They thought I wouldn't survive a single day in this ruthless court without him.

I watched him put on his little show, strangely calm inside.

I felt no anger and no sadness, but only a bleak sense of clarity, as if I'd seen through everything.

I turned away, not sparing him another glance, and picked up the heavy Silver Blade of Severance from the tray.

Without a second thought, I pressed the sharp edge against my left palm and sliced hard downwards.

The sound of flesh being cut echoed through the silent hall, sharp and jarring.

Blood welled up instantly, dripping from my fingers onto the parchment scroll.

The moment my blood touched the scroll, faint blue flames burst to life on its surface.

Meanwhile, the aching patch of skin on my neck flared with unbearable, gut-wrenching pain.

It felt like someone used red-hot iron tongs to rip a chunk straight out of my soul.

I let out a muffled groan, my legs buckling as I crashed to my knees.

Dark blood burst from my mouth and stained the white jade stone steps right in front of me.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through my dress, my vision flooded with red, and all I could hear was a shrill, piercing buzz in my ears.

Still, I clamped my lips tight to hold back every whimper of pain.

With my trembling right hand, I pushed myself up from the ground, forcing my body to straighten inch by inch.

The burning heat on my neck faded away, leaving a hollow cold creeping across my skin instead.

I knew the mating imprint that had haunted me for ten years was gone for good.

Starting right then, I was free.

I lifted my head, wiped blood off my mouth, and fixed Alex with a clear, steady stare.

Alex locked his gaze on the parchment scroll as it burned away and froze stiff like he'd been struck by electrocution.

His face turned ghostly pale, and those intense eyes filled with shock and utter disbelief.

The moment the parchment scroll turned to ash, Alex's body jolted hard. He hunched over in agony and clutched his chest tight.

From the depths of his soul, a howl of utter despair and anguish burst forth.

It was his inner wolf lashing out for the first time, boiling over with raw killing rage toward him.