Chapter4

The hall's chaos spiraled completely out of control within seconds.

The ceiling made a harsh cracking sound, dust and debris raining down from above.

People screamed, others shouted for guards, Alpha dominance roiling through the air.

Before I could steady myself, a collapsing beam crashed beside me.

Rubble pinned my leg.

My arm was sliced open by something sharp. I looked down to see silver shards embedded in my skin.

Searing pain spread rapidly.

I gritted my teeth and tried to push myself up.

Chaos everywhere.

"Escort the Alliance representative!"

"Protect Serena!"

Ryan's voice echoed through the hall, carrying commanding authority.

"Clear a path!"

"Get her out now!"

I looked up to see him lifting Serena into his arms.

She clutched his collar tightly, face pale, hand protecting her belly.

He cradled her protectively and rushed toward the exit.

His Alpha commands exploded overhead.

But not once for me.

Not one "protect the Luna."

Not one call of my name.

He didn't look back.

In that moment, the wolf inside me went silent.

Cold spread from my chest, drowning out the pain.

"Luna!" A Beta rushed over, crouching beside me. "Can you move?"

I nodded, voice hoarse. "Lift the beam."

He and two others worked together to move the rubble.

I forced myself to stand, leg threatening to give out.

The Beta steadied me. "The medical wing is that way. I'll take you."

I didn't look toward the exit again.

I knew he wasn't there anymore.

——

The medical wing's lights were blinding.

The nurse treated my wounds. When the silver shards were extracted, I bit my lip hard but made no sound.

The door to the adjacent room stood slightly ajar.

I heard Ryan's voice.

"Is she hurt?"

"What about the child? How's the child?"

"Get the best medical team here immediately."

His tone was anxious, carrying undisguised concern.

I sat on the bed, arm wrapped in bandages.

No one came to ask if I was in pain.

No one relayed even one word of his concern for me.

He never asked about me once.

——

Late that night, I returned to the main house.

The hall was empty and silent.

I pushed open the bedroom door.

The room held only me.

I sat on the edge of the bed and reached up to touch the mark on my neck.

It had once burned.

It had once made me feel chosen.

I closed my eyes.

Ryan had said I was his only Luna.

But today, in front of everyone, he'd given his answer.

I slowly opened my mouth.

My voice was soft but clear enough.

"I, Claire, Luna of Blackridge Pack, formally reject this bond."

The moment the words fell, the mental link in my mind jolted violently.

Like a taut string suddenly snapping.

Intense emptiness crashed over me.

I doubled over, fingers gripping the sheets desperately.

My chest felt hollowed out.

That connection vanished.

That pull that had let me sense his emotions at any time—completely gone.

I sat there for a long time before slowly standing.

I opened the closet and pulled out a suitcase.

Clothes went in one by one.

When I finished packing, I turned to look at the room I'd lived in for three years.

No tears came.

I dragged my luggage out of the main house.

Night wind swept across the courtyard.

The guards saw me and froze.

"Luna, where are you going?"

I didn't stop.

"From today on," I said calmly, "I no longer belong to Blackridge."

The car door closed.

The engine started.

I left Blackridge Pack.