4

Chapter 4

I suddenly remembered those inexplicable headaches, moments of blurred consciousness, times when my wolf nature was suppressed.

Sometimes I'd be so exhausted I couldn't even hold a paintbrush, my inner wolf locked in an iron cage unable to respond to moonlight, only able to lie in bed all weekend...

I'd thought it was stress, physical weakness, unstable Silver Moon bloodline.

But now I finally understood—I'd been drugged!

Silver powder causes only mild numbness in ordinary wolves, but for me with Silver Moon bloodline, it was lethal poison—it suppressed my most powerful strength, leaving me weak and helpless.

Only during times when I was unconscious, my wolf nature completely suppressed, could they safely reunite with Mira and Kael.

"Based on this frequency, this Sunday's full moon night at the latest, he'll drug you again," Finn said seriously.

This Sunday... was Blood Moon Night, also Finn's birthday.

Wolf packs typically held important celebrations during blood moon nights.

They'd probably all celebrate together, wouldn't they?

"Let them perform that charade one last time," I said hoarsely. "Then I'm gone."

Finn watched me silently for several seconds, Beta concern flashing in his eyes, then slowly nodded.

An hour later, I went to Finn's law firm office.

First, I signed the mate dissolution agreement Finn had prepared for me.

Damon would never expect that before he planned to abandon me, I'd already ended this fated mate bond first.

Next, I signed another document prepared by wolf lawyers Finn had contacted:

Officially renouncing the Walker surname and all family property, inheritance rights, and pack privileges from my parents.

This signature was equivalent to my legal disappearance from wolf society.

I changed to a new name: Aurora.

In ancient wolf language, "Aurora" means "goddess of dawn"—a new beginning.

I booked a one-way ticket to the Scottish Highlands—where ancient wild wolf packs lived, ungoverned by any pack council.

When I returned to that magnificent mansion, the living room was empty.

Damon was in his study, warm lamplight illuminating his stern profile as he rapidly typed on his computer.

I pushed open the door. He quickly minimized a window, but I still caught a glimpse—

The screen showed Moonlight Paradise VIP exclusive booking service page—a recreational venue designed for wolf cubs, hosting special celebrations during blood moon nights.

Was he planning to celebrate blood moon night there? A suitable place to bring cubs.

Moments later, his phone on the desk vibrated.

The lit screen showed a message from my mother through pack communications.

[Everything's ready! Can't wait for blood moon night's family gathering! Kael will be so happy!]

They'd excluded me. I felt no sadness.

No anger.

Only a vast, strange sense of freedom slowly spreading.

Saturday night, I told my parents, "Mom, Dad, I'm going to meet my friend for full moon night later."

Mother sat at the dining table and smiled. "Of course, dear. You've been so tired lately, your wolf nature's been unstable too."

She stood up and brought over a cup of steaming moonlight tea, its familiar aroma sickeningly recognizable—a traditional wolf calming beverage.

"Drink a little before you go. This will help stabilize your wolf nature."

I stared at that cup of tea, my heart constricting.

I knew what was in it.

But I took the cup and lowered my head slightly, adopting an obedient expression. "Thanks, Mom."

I took a sip, holding the tea in my mouth, then supported my forehead, voice weak. "I feel a little dizzy... my wolf nature seems unstable again."

They instantly tensed, like a scene rehearsed many times being performed once more.

"Lyra? Dear, what's wrong?"

"Is your Silver Moon bloodline fluctuating again?"

"Come, I'll help you upstairs to rest. Blood moon night puts too much strain on your constitution."

My parents supported me on both sides, like helping a patient who might collapse at any moment.

At the bedroom door, I asked them, "Do you love me?"

"Lyra, of course you're our daughter, how could we not love you? You're our pride, possessing the rare Silver Moon bloodline."

They settled me in bed, Mother tucking me in, whispering, "Sleep now, you'll feel better when you wake. When you wake up, blood moon night will be over."

The door closed gently.

Footsteps gradually faded.

I immediately turned over and got out of bed, spitting the tea into the trash can, rinsing my mouth three times, hands slightly trembling.

From the window, I watched my parents carrying various gifts, driving toward Moonlight Paradise.

In the sky, the blood moon slowly rose, radiating eerie red light.

I picked up my camera and quietly opened the window.

The lens captured their scene—under the blood moon's illumination, Damon held Kael's hand, Mira nestled beside him, my parents smiling brilliantly.

In wolf culture, blood moon witness is most sacred—this meant they'd already accepted Kael as the true heir.

Every frame was evidence.

Then I opened my backup database, packaging and categorizing all these photos with everything collected before.

Next, I composed an email with just one sentence, attaching the evidence package:

"Happy blood moon night, my former Alpha."

Recipient: Damon Blackwood.

I set it for delayed sending. Tomorrow morning, when the blood moon faded, this email would be delivered to Damon right on time.

Then I sent all materials simultaneously to the pack council and media.

Minutes later, the most authoritative wolf Elder Council secretary replied:

[We've received the materials. Lyra, this isn't ordinary mate betrayal—it's a trampling of wolf law. We'll investigate thoroughly.]

After finally finishing everything, I headed for the airport.

Without looking back.