After I Took the Initiative to Cut Ties, the Alpha Went Crazy with Regret

"Seraphina, are you sure you want to go through with the ‘Bond Severing' ritual? Once it begins, your sacred connection with Alpha Caden will be permanently cut. Your power, your status, everything you are in this pack—will be gone."

The elderly wolf priestess clasped Seraphina's hand, her clouded eyes full of worry.

Seraphina nodded, her voice calm but firm. "I'm sure."

The priestess tried one last time. "The pain will be beyond imagining. And Alpha Caden will be wounded as well. You are the pack's Moon Goddess, our heart. Please reconsider."

"No need." Seraphina pricked her finger with a silver pen and pressed her blood onto the parchment of ancient wolf runes. "Let's begin."

The priestess sighed. "After the ritual, you must give up the name Seraphina. In return, the Moon Goddess will grant you a new identity—Finn, correct?"

"Yes." That was her plan. To leave it all behind—this pack, these lies.

When the ritual ended, the priestess handed her a new human ID and passport.

"You may leave the territory now," the priestess said. "This receipt carries the Moon Goddess's blessing. It will mask your scent from the Alpha's tracking—but only for a week."

Seraphina packed quickly. She left behind her scepter, her place in the family records, everything. In a week, she would be gone with her new passport. Seraphina would be dead, buried in the past.

Stepping out of the altar, she found herself facing Silvermoon City's landmark—the towering Peak Group building. Its giant screen was playing an interview with Alpha Caden.

The host noticed him fiddling with his ring and smiled. "Mr. Caden, I see you keep touching your ring. But... it looks like a simple silver band. Is it special?"

Caden's smile was warm. He lifted his hand. "It's my mate's token."

"Oh? Forgive me, I thought someone of your rank would have a jewel set with ancient stones."

Caden shook his head. "When I first shifted into wolf form, I forged this from moon-silver for my mate. I polished it myself, and inside I engraved our initials."

The host leaned closer. "Yes, I see them—G and..."

"S. Her name is Seraphina."

The host gasped. "How lucky she is! She must have saved the wolf clans in a past life to be your fated mate."

Caden chuckled softly. "No. It was I who saved the galaxy in a past life, to be blessed with her."

The crowd around the screen sighed with envy. Only Seraphina herself gave a bitter smile.

Their bond had once been real. From the night they met under moonlight as teens, through fifteen years together, everyone saw them as the Moon Goddess's perfect pair.

Until two months ago.

Through their mate bond, Seraphina had felt a surge of pleasure—but it wasn't hers. It was wild, foreign. Soon after, an anonymous video arrived.

In it was Layla, a young she-wolf in a sheer slip, her skin marked with bites and scratches of passion. On her finger gleamed a man's silver ring, too large, engraved with the letters: G & S.

Later, Seraphina saw Layla in Caden's office. His newly promoted assistant. Her mind went blank. She wanted to scream: Was pleasing you part of her job description?

But she didn't. The bond, the video, Layla's body marked with him—everything had already answered her.

As the crowd still gushed over the broadcast, Seraphina walked into an old jewelry shop. Slipping her ring off her finger felt like tearing away part of her soul.

"Ma'am, what would you like done?" the craftsman asked.

"This ring. Melt it."

He hesitated. "But this is moon-silver. A sacred mate's token, engraved. Are you sure?"

"Yes. Quickly, please."

Half an hour later, Seraphina left with a black obsidian box that hid all scent.

When Caden finally came home that night, he carried a bouquet of moon-flowers. "Sorry, Sera. Pack affairs kept me busy. I brought your favorite. Do you like them?"

As he leaned close, Seraphina smelled Layla's sweet, cheap perfume on him. On his throat, a faint bite mark. At his collar, a lipstick stain—bright red.

Her lips curled coldly. Busy with pack matters? Or busy sowing himself in Layla's bed?

"Why so quiet?" he asked.

"Just tired," she said, pushing him away.

"Then let me carry you to bed." He bent to lift her.

Again, she pushed him back. "You're tired too. Take a shower and rest."

He reached for her hand—and froze.

"Sera... where is your mate's ring?"