chapter 2

After I left the Pack manor, I started contacting lawyers.

But just like Lucas said, in North America’s wolf world, no attorney would touch a case the Oakpelt Alpha openly opposed.

Right when I was about to burn through every dollar I had to hire a legendary independent attorney—one famous for being fearless and answerable to no Pack at all—two familiar figures blocked my path.

Lucas stood with Lillian tucked behind him, looking at me like I was a problem that needed to be contained.

“Aeliana, you get it now? In our world, an Alpha’s will is law.”

“Sign the statement. It’s better for everyone. We can still give Aiden a proper moonlight funeral and let him return to the Goddess in peace…”

“Never!” I snapped, my wolf—Liora—baring her fangs inside my skull.

“Unless you kill me too, as long as I’m breathing, this isn’t over!”

“Aeliana!” Lucas’s voice dropped into a deep freeze, and the Alpha pressure rolled out like a physical force, “Think about your mother. She’s still in the special care ward, and those expensive compounds are the only thing keeping her alive.”

My whole body locked. “Lucas! You’re using my mom to threaten me?!”

His face put on that fake, regretful mask. “I don’t want to. You’re forcing my hand. I swore to Lillian’s parents—my fallen comrades—that I’d protect her…”

“Enough.” I cut him off, “Seven years as mates—whether you’re ‘keeping a promise’ or something else, my wolf can smell the truth better than you can.”

I took a breath, forced down the burn in my throat. “I, Aeliana Black of Oakpelt Pack, refuse to accept you, Lucas Black of Oakpelt Pack, as my mate. I formally request to sever our mating bond.”

The second “sever the bond” left my mouth, hot tears nearly spilled over.

When we first bonded, we were the couple everyone envied. I honestly believed we’d be each other’s only Mate.

Until three years ago, Lucas’s war-brother—Lillian’s father—died on the border, and with his last breath entrusted his only daughter to Lucas.

Back then she’d just completed her first shift, still a young wolf who needed guidance. But once she came of age, something about them changed.

He gave her obsidian as a symbol of protection, soothed her with his scent whenever she spiraled on full moons, and even let her cross lines—closer and closer—until she acted like she belonged at his side.

I saw it all. I wasn’t silent. I fought him on it—again and again—and every time Lucas fed me the same excuse.

Every act of his indulgence made Lillian bolder. She even started “marking” my territory with her provocative scent right in front of me.

I swallowed it. Over and over.

Now—for Aiden, for Mom—I was done swallowing.

Lucas clearly didn’t expect me to go this far. When I brushed past him, he grabbed my wrist hard, real panic flashing in his eyes for the first time:

“Aeliana, you really want to blow everything up?”

“Fine. We’ll each take a step back. I swear on my Alpha honor your mother will be safe—but you have to sign the statement, okay?”

“Lucas!” I yanked my arm free, shaking off his grip, “Severing the bond and filing an appeal are not bargaining chips!”

“I’ll protect my mother, and I’ll clear Aiden’s name—both of them!”

Then I turned and walked away, and I didn’t look back.

Behind me, Lucas’s growl came out strangled with rage, his wolf’s roar rumbling underneath it:

“Aeliana! You’re going to regret this!”