Chapter 3

Aurora POV

The next morning, Julian's personal guards were waiting downstairs right on time.

The Elder Council's "mate bond dissolution" ceremony went quickly.

Thanks to the Alpha's absolute authority, no one dared question his decision.

When the head elder stamped the seal on the parchment, Julian didn't even glance at it, casually stuffing it into his pocket.

He draped his arm over my shoulders as usual, his cedarwood scent enveloping me, his tone gentle. "Next month when I send Elara away for treatment at another Pack, we'll immediately restore our mate bond. I promise you, once Elara leaves, nothing will change."

I kept my head down and gave a soft "mm" in response.

I could feel the eyes of the elders and guards around us, probably wondering why the Alpha was still so intimate with me when we'd just dissolved our mate bond.

Julian was very satisfied with my "understanding nature."

We parted ways at the entrance to the pack's council hall.

I walked back to my place alone.

Over the next few days, my father's royal guards would occasionally send messages through Mind-link.

【Princess, we've almost finished erasing your traces at Stormborn Pack. No need to worry.】

【The route map and border passes for leaving the territory are all ready. The reception team is on standby.】

I looked at the route map on the table, calculating the final departure date.

After handling these matters, I returned my Luna authority seal and resigned from my position as healer assistant at the pack hospital. I turned in my access pass, cleared out my locker, and said goodbye to a few pack doctors.

The moment I walked out of the hospital entrance, I felt another connection to Stormborn Pack severed.

That evening, Julian tried to contact me through Mind-link.

This was the first time he'd contacted me since the mate bond dissolution agreement took effect.

I didn't respond.

Julian then sent a FaceTime video request.

I didn't want to see his face while he was with another woman.

He immediately expressed his displeasure. "Why aren't you turning on video?"

"Just got back from the pack hospital. I'm a bit tired." I brushed him off casually.

Julian laughed on the other end, his tone smug, clearly thinking I was still that woman who tried to maintain a perfect image in front of him.

"What haven't I seen of you?" His tone carried an uncomfortably familiar intimacy.

I didn't respond.

He probably found it boring and changed the subject, asking about my resignation as healer assistant.

"You quit? That's fine. You only got in there because of my Alpha privileges anyway. You had no real future there."

My irritation reached its peak.

"Don't you need to go keep Elara company?" I interrupted him, just wanting to end the conversation quickly.

Julian on the other end fell silent for a moment at my words, then let out a cold laugh.

"Aurora, your temper's getting worse and worse." His voice was full of a superior's arrogance and warning. "Elara's health is poor. If you dare say anything to upset her, you know the consequences."

I didn't even bother arguing with him anymore and hung up directly.

Two days later was Julian's birthday.

In previous years on this day, no matter how many complicated Pack affairs there were, I would personally prepare a table full of his favorite foods.

And he would act like the perfect Mate, canceling all patrol duties to spend the day with me alone.

This had been one of the few rituals in our marriage.

This year, I hadn't prepared anything and had almost forgotten about the day.

Before long, Elara posted on Instagram.

In the photo, Elara held a custom cake with the air of the Packhouse's lady, smiling sweetly and shyly.

There was also a video of Elara affectionately smearing frosting on Julian's face, with the caption: "I hope my Alpha is as happy as he is today, every day. @Julian"

Below was Julian's reply—a simple heart emoji.

I exited the social media app and pulled out the dusty box from under my bed, taking out an exquisitely carved wooden case.

Inside was the token Julian had personally placed on me during our mating ceremony—a wolf fang necklace.

I took out my lighter.

Flames ignited the leather cord strung with the fang. I watched the fire greedily devour it, burning it to ashes.

I watched the remnants wash down the drain in the sink and said softly to myself, "That's it then."

When these things finished burning, everything between Julian and me would be completely over too.