After Severance,Alpha Fell in Love With Ex-Luna

Chapter 1 The Severance

Chapter 1: The Severance

Chapter 1: The Severance

(Elena’s POV)

“Elena, have you thought it over? Are you really transferring to Riverside Pack’s Healing Center?” Director Henry

Baker looked at my transfer report with surprise.

| nodded firmly, my decision already made. “Yes, Director. Ive considered it thoroughly.”

His brows furrowed as he examined the paperwork. “But you're our best healer. The Shadow Moon Pack

needs you here.”

“The Riverside Center has offereda senior position. It's a good opportunity.” The words felt hollow even as |

spoke them

The truth was far more painful. | couldn't bear to stay in the Northern Territory any longer, not with my mate

bond to Marcus Blackwood becoming more unbearable each day. Six years of marriage to the Alpha of the

Shadow Moon Pack had broughtnothing but heartache.

“Is this because of Sophia Rivers’ return?” Director Baker asked carefully.

My heart clenched at the name. Sophia Rivers-Marcus'’s first love who had suddenly reappeared after years

away. The she wolf he had never forgotten, even after mating with me.

“This is a professional decision,” | lied smoothly. “Nothing more.”

How could | explain that watching Marcus place Sophia in this very institute, forcingto see her every day,

had finally broken something inside me? That | couldn't bear witnessing his gentle smiles toward her when he

had only ever showncold indifference?

“Very well,” Director Baker sighed, stamping my transfer request. The paperwork will be processed within the

week.

| thanked him and turned to leave, my heart heavy but my resolve firm.

As | stepped into the corridor outside the Director's Office, my breath caught in my throat. There, just a few feet

away, stood Marcus Blackwood-my mate in nonly-with Sophia Rivers and her pup, Oliver.

The three of them looked like a perfect family portrait. Marcus stood protectively close to Sophia, his golden eyes

warm as he gazed down at her. The little boy clutched Marcus's hand with familiar ease

The sight sent a sharp pain through our mate bond-a connection Marcus had always resented.

Sophia noticedfirst, her smile bright and seemingly genuine. “Oh, Elena! it's so nice to see you again.”

| forced myself to nod politely, though my wolf whimpered insideat the sight of another she-wolf so close

to my mate.

“I don’t think we've been properly introduced,” Sophia continued cheerfully. “I’m Sophia Rivers, Marcus's

childhood friend. We grew up together in the Shadow Moon Pack.”

Friend. What a convenient understatement. Everyone knew she had been much more than that.

The little pup beside her looked up atwith curious eyes. “Are you a healer too? Like my mommy?”

Chapter 1 The Severance.

Before | could answer, he turned to Marcus with adoration. “Daddy Marcus, in the your friends.

My heart stopped. Daddy Marcus?

Marcus didn’t correct him. Instead, he gently stroked the boy’s head, his expression softening in a way had never

seen directed at me.

“Oliver,” Sophia chided gently, though she didn’t correct him either.

| stared at Marcus, silently begging him to explain, to deny what seemed obvious-that this pup was somehow

his. That before our six years of mating, he had been with Sophia.

But Marcus merely looked atwith cold detachment, as though | were a stranger rather than his Luna.

A bitter laugh escapedbefore | could stop it. Of course. Our confidentiality agreement. The one that

stipulated our mating would remain private, that | would never publicly claim him as my mate.

The memories flooded back unbidden. How | had saved Marcus's life years ago after a devastating accident.

How his grandmother, Margaret Blackwood-the former female Alpha and still the most powerful member of

the Blackwood family-had suggested our mating as repayment.

“You saved my grandson's life,” Elder Margaret had said. “In return, the Blackwood family will give you

everything-wealth, status, protection for your family.”

When | discovered Marcus was actually my fated mate, | had been overjoyed and accepted Elder Margaret's

suggestion. But for Marcus, our mating was nothing but an unwanted obligation.

He had made the terms clear: keep distance, don’t speak to him in public, never use our mate bond to

communicate unless absolutely necessary, and above all, never reveal our mating to anyone.

For six years, | had endured this half-life, sustained by the foolish hope that he might eventually develop feelings

for me. But now, seeing him with Sophia and Oliver, | finally understood the truth.

To Marcus, | would never be more than a cunning, greedy she-wolf who had made a shameless deal with his

grandmother to bechis Luna.

“Excuse me,” | managed to say, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm raging inside me. “I have

patients waiting.”

| walked away, my back straight and my head high, even as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

Once alone in the Shadow Passage, | leaned against the wall, struggling to breathe through the pain radiating

from our mate bond. My wolf howled in anguish, but I forced her down.

| had submitted my transfer application without informing Marcus. What was the point? Our relationship existed

only on paper. He would probably be relieved to havegone.

That afternoon, | drove to the Blackwood Ancestral Manor, determined to speak with the one person who had

orchestrated this entire situation.

Margaret Blackwood sat regally in her private study, her silver hair gleaming in the afternoon light. Despite her

advanced age, she remained formidable, her red wolf's power evident in her piercing gaze.

“I'm severing the mate bond with Marcus. | announced without preamble.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Have you discussed this with my grandson?”

“There's nothing to discuss. He’s made his feelings clear.”

Chapter 1 The Severance

Margaret studiedcarefully. “Remember our agreement, Elena. The Blackwood family has provided for you

and your entire family for six years.”

#I've fulfilled my end of the bargain,” I replied. “I've been the perfect Luna in private, the perfect healer in

public. I've never complained, never demanded more than the cold shell of a relationship Marcus offered”

Something like respect flickered in Margaret's eyes. “Very well. The Blackwood lineage no longer owes you

anything. You're free to go.”

The words should have brought relief, but instead, they leftfeeling hollow.

When | returned to Moonhaven

Estate that evening, | found Marcus,

Sophia, and Oliverini@GredPHal

My heattldoh¥tricted painfully. This

estate had been our home-mine and

Marcus's. The one place | had

foolishly The content is on

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believed belonged just to us.

Seeing them there, comfortable and domestic, was the final blow

Sophia smiled when she saw me. “Elena! We were just having dinner.

id you like to join us?”

Before | could decline, she asked innocently, “I've been meaning to ask-do you have a mate? Someone as

accomplished as you must have wolves lining up.”

| felt Marcus's stern gaze on me, warningto maintain our secret. Even now, he couldn't bear the thought of

anyone knowing we were mated.

“No,” | lied, the word burning my throat. “I don’t have a mate”

Later that night, | packed my belongings in the Master Suite, a sense of finality washing over me. | removed our

mating ceremony photo from its frand dropped it into a box of discarded memories.

The door opened, and Marcus entered, his expression unreadable.

“What are you doing?” he asked, eyeing my half-packed suitcase.

“What does it look like? I'm leaving.”

“Because of Sophia and Oliver?” His tone was accusatory, as though | were being unreasonable.

“Is he yours?” | asked directly, needing to hear the truth.

Marcus avoided the question. “You're being ridiculous. You got what you wanted-the title of Luna, the security for

your family. What more do you expect?”

His words cut deeper than any knife.

After six years, he still believed | had

mated him for stat and sequrity!

Yeged to VSN AY, stopped at

the Shadow Gate Foyer, looking at