Chapter 57

Chapter 57

What could be more important than making our mate pay for his betrayal? my wolf demanded, curiosity tempering her rage.

"First, we need to break the bond," I whispered, a sudden clarity washing over me. "We need to refuse him as our mate."

My wolf growled, initially resistant, but I could feel her curiosity. How? We are already bonded.

"Not fully," I realized. "I never marked him. The bond isn't complete."

Something shifted within me—understanding that I had more power than I'd believed. The mate bond, sacred as it was supposed to be, remained unfinished. And what was unfinished could be undone.

"We can reject him," I continued, my voice growing stronger. "We can break free. Then we'll be able to think clearly, to plan our next move without the pull of the bond clouding our judgment."

My wolf fell silent, considering. Then, surprisingly, she agreed. Yes. The Alpha has proven unworthy. We will find a better mate. A stronger mate. One who cherishes us above all others.

Edward glanced back at me, concern furrowing his brow. "Everything okay?"

"I need to stop for a moment," I replied, stepping off the narrow dirt trail we'd been following. "There's something I need to do."

We had reached a clearing in the forest. Through the trees, I could see the moon beginning to rise in the early evening sky. Perfect timing.

Edward and his mother exchanged a look but respectfully moved away to give me space. I walked to the center of the clearing, tilted my head back, and gazed up at the pale moon.

"Moon Goddess," I began, my voice quiet but resolute. "I come before you with a solemn request. The bond between myself and Alpha Kieran Silver has been violated by his betrayal. I reject this bond. I refuse him as my mate."

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of my words. This was no small thing in werewolf society. To reject a mate bond was rare, almost taboo. But I continued, conviction growing with each word.

"I release him from any claim on me, and I reclaim myself, whole and complete. Let the bond between us be severed, by your divine witness and my free will."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then a strange sensation started in my chest—like a taut rope suddenly going slack. The ever-present tug that had connected me to Kieran, even from this distance, suddenly... dissolved.

I gasped, dropping to my knees as the sensation intensified. It wasn't painful, exactly, but overwhelming—like a weight I'd carried for so long that I'd forgotten it was there, suddenly lifted.

My wolf howled within me, a sound of both mourning and celebration. We were free.

The chronic ache in my body—the early signs of separation that had plagued me since leaving Silver Creek—began to fade. I breathed deeply, feeling my lungs expand fully for what felt like the first time in days.

"I'm free," I whispered, then louder: "I'm free!"

Edward approached cautiously. "What just happened?"

"I can't believe it. I'm happy, fir the first time in a really long time. I'm happy." I explained, rising to my feet with newfound energy. "I'm free as a bird."

He looked stunned as he mocked me, his face the perfect mask. "I didn't know that was possible."

"Neither did I, until now." I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in years. "Let's continue. I want to reach the Neutral Zone before midnight."

As we resumed our journey, Edward walked beside me while his mother trailed slightly behind. The forest grew denser, the path narrower.

"Can I tell you something?" Edward asked after we'd walked in silence for some time.

I suddenly felt nervous. "Of course."

He hesitated.

Oh I didn't like this. I didn't like it one bit.

I didn't want him ho continue. His nervousness made me panic inside.

Then blurted out: "I like you. A lot."

I stopped walking, surprised by his admission.

"I know it's terrible timing," he continued, words tumbling out nervously. "And you've just been through something awful. But I can't help how I feel. You're the strongest person I've ever met. And the way you stood up to Harry, the way you've handled everything... it's incredible."

I looked at Edward—really looked at him. He was handsome in an unassuming way, kind and brave. Under different circumstances, perhaps...

"Edward," I began gently, "I'm flattered, truly. But I can't—"

"I know, I know," he interrupted, cheeks flushing red. "It's too soon. You need time. I shouldn't have said anything."

"It's not just that," I said, searching for the right words. "The thing is... I actually have a girlfriend."

The lie slipped out before I could stop it—a harmless fabrication to spare his feelings, to avoid the complicated truth that I simply wasn't ready for any romantic entanglement, might never be again.

Edward's eyes widened comically. "You... what?"

"A girlfriend," I repeated, fighting to maintain a serious expression. "Back in Silver Creek. We kept it quiet because, well, pack politics. It's complicated."

"Oh," he said, looking utterly bewildered. "I didn't... I mean, I never would have... I'm sorry."

I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing. "Edward, I'm kidding. I don't have a girlfriend."

His expression shifted from confusion to embarrassment to indignation. "That's not funny!"

"It's a little funny," I countered, still chuckling.

After a moment, he cracked a reluctant smile. "Okay, maybe a little funny. But still mean."

"I'm sorry," I said, growing serious again. "The truth is, I'm not ready for any relationship right now. I need to figure out who I am outside of being Kieran's Luna. But I value your friendship more than I can say."

Edward nodded, his smile turning genuine despite the rejection. "Friends, then."

"Friends," I agreed, feeling a wave of affection for this earnest, kind-hearted wolf.

As we continued toward the Neutral Zone and whatever awaited me there, I wondered if Kieran had felt the bond break. Had he been knocked to his knees as I had been? Was he even now howling in rage or despair?

I found, to my surprise, that I no longer cared.