Chapter 7
Three days until departure.
Kieran brought Thea healing broth at dawn. “Made with moonflowers and sacred herbs, your favorite,”
After he left, Thea watched through the runes as Aurora demanded to visit the territory shops. Concerned about the slick roads endangering his unborn pup, Kieran arranged for luxury merchants to bring their wares to her instead, including tiny ceremonial robes for
newborn wolves.
That night, Pack Law Elder Hawthorne visited. “The mate–bond dissolution is complete,
Luna.”
“Make a copy for the ‘Second Mating Gift‘ box,” Thea instructed her secretary. Seven years of false bonds needed to end.
Two days remaining.
Kieran arrived with sun–blessed flowers and a protection amulet worth a fortune. “The healers release you tomorrow. I had this blessed by the High Shaman for your safety.”
Thea knew the truth – he’d sought a fertility charm for Aurora last night when she had cramps. Her amulet was an afterthought.
–
“Alpha Kieran bought the den behind yours,” her secretary reported later. “He paid the pack family there handsomely to relocate. The deed is in Aurora’s name alone – a gift for carrying his pup.”
By evening, Thea watched Aurora reluctantly move her belongings to the new den, clearing evidence of her presence from Thea’s home.
On her final day, Kieran came to escort her home. “Your birthday celebration is arranged for seven tonight, love. Invite your packmates.”
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Everything in their den appeared untouched, as if Aurora had never marked their territory. But on Thea’s vanity lay a used crimson lip stain – a deliberate challenge.
At lunch, Kieran fed her tender morsels with the same gentleness he’d shown Aurora days
before.
“If you dreamed I left you,” Thea asked suddenly, “would you grieve?”
Kieran tensed. “I’d go feral without you. Never leave me.”
His phone buzzed with Aurora’s message: “Bleeding… the pup…”
“There’s an issue with the celebration preparations,” he stood hastily. “I’ll return to escort
you.”
“Goodbye, Kieran,” Thea said softly, catching his arm.
He froze, struck by the emptiness in her eyes where devotion once lived.
“Thea…”
His phone buzzed again. He fled.
Thea gathered her documents, discarded the protection amulet, and called her secretary. “Kieran’s with Aurora. I’m heading to the airport. Proceed with tonight’s plan once I’m
airborne.”
“And make sure Aurora receives an invitation to her own mating ceremony.”
“Yes, Luna.”
An hour later, Thea reached the airport. After security, she messaged her parents about her imminent departure, then opened her last chat with Kieran:
[I have two surprises for you tonight. Hope you’ll enjoy them.]
Kieran replied instantly: [Can’t wait, love. Still overseeing celebration preparations. Let me escort you there.]
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Chapter 7
Thea’s lips curved: [No need. I’ll meet you at the Silver Moon Hotel)
She had no intention of attending. The birthday celebration was on the second floor, the mating ceremony on the third. Kieran needed to be there when her secretary sent out the ceremony invitations.
When her flight to Norvaria was called, Thea destroyed her communication crystal, dropping the shards in a waste bin.
Goodbye, Kieran. You’ll never find me again.
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