Chapter 28 Registry Run
Aelira’s POV
Alarion stands rigid, his lips pressed into a hard, bloodless line. His amber gaze pierces mine with such raw force my wolf recoils, shrinking into the shadows of my psyche. He says nothing–just watches, a silent, seething storm.
“Yeah! They’re severing their mate bond, are you happy now?” Oriana snaps, her anger finally boiling over. “It’s just right- makes space for you two to enjoy yourselves, you scumbags!”
Cyrinne’s perfect face twists into a frown. “What are you even talking about? Alarion and I are just friends, we’re innocent Her voice rises, drawing curious glances from other shoppers, “What does their mate bond severance have to do with me?”
“Bah! Shameless little vixen!” Oriana’s eyes glitter with menace. “You’ve been circling him since you came back. Everyonel
sees it!”
Cyrinne’s expression flickers–shock, then outrage, then a mask of icy composure. She knows better than to go toe–to–toe with Oriana’s bluntness. Instead, she turns her emerald eyes on me, her hatred thinly veiled beneath a brittle smile. “No wonder Alarion wants to sever your mate bond. You’re always suspicious, always accusing people.”
Heat surges up my neck. The audacity. The gall
“You say I wronged you?” I step forward, my voice dropping to a razor’s whisper. “Do you dare claim you didn’t sever your bond with Beta Draven for Alarion’s sake?”
Her composure fractures, mouth tightening to a thin, angry line. “Why not?” she shoots back.
“How utterly shameless.” I can barely believe her nerve. Alarion himself admitted her motives to me, yet here she is, feigning innocence.
I see something flicker in Cyrinne’s
eyes–a quick, searching glance at Alarion, demanding silently why he betrayed her secret. The last of my patience snaps. I turn to Alarion, letting every ounce of contempt show.
“Shouldn’t you be in a good mood now? You both seem to enjoy shopping together.” I cross my arms, steeling myself. “Let’s just go to the Territorial Registry Office and finish the mate bond severance right now.”
Alarion’s lips curl into a sneer. “You’re so eager to sever our bond? Is it because of Daelor Briarhallow?”
The question blindsides me. For a second, I’m not sure I heard him right.
His scowl deepens, amber eyes burning with accusation. “Didn’t Daelor say it himself yesterday? That he’s helping you sever our mate bond because he wants you? Are you denying it?”
A disbelieving laugh bubbles up in my chest. So this is where he’s going?
“You think I’m doing this because of Daelor?” I say, incredulous.
“What else?” he spits, his Alpha presence crackling through the air.
The laughter dies, replaced by a wildfire of rage. My wolf bares her teeth inside me, no longer cowering. “Alarion, you are unbelievable.” My voice shakes with fury. No one–no one–knows better than him why we’re here. Yet he dares pin it on me and Daelor.
“I don’t care what you think. Just go and sever our mate bond!” My fists clench at my sides.
For a heartbeat, uncertainty flashes behind Alarion’s eyes. But he says nothing, jaw locking tight.
Cyrinne, not missing a beat, nudges his arm with a painted nail. “Well? What are you standing there for? Go on–agree. You’re just letting them bully you! Are you still an Alpha?”
TShut up.” Alarion wheels on her, his aura flaring so fiercely that even nearby wolves flinch. “Don’t embarrass yourself. We’re leaving.”
He stalks for the exit, refusing to look back.
Cyrinne purses her lips, annoyance clear, but scurries after him. “Wait, don’t leave me behind!” she calls, scrambling to match his pace.
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As the boutique doors swing shut behind them, every ounce of strength drains from my body, I collapse onto a velvet sofa in the rest area, suddenly boneless with exhaustion.
This is the man I loved for years–the wolf I dreamed of as a girl. And yet, he
can’t even muster the barest sense of
responsibility, can’t own one piece of the wreckage he’s made. He would blame anyone but himself.
How was I ever so blind?
Oriana sinks down beside me, her voice gentling as she slips her hand into mine. Her wolf’s scent surrounds me, warm and protective. “Don’t let it get to you, Aelira. He’s not worth your anger.”
“You’re right.” I exhale, shaky but grateful. My wolf whimpers in the hollow of my chest, hurt and lost
Oriana tilts her head, studying me. “Okay, but I do have to ask: I heard Alarion say Daelor ‘wants you for himself. What’s that about?”
I glance at her and instantly regret it. Her eyes are shining with wild curiosity, like a wolf scenting something new and
delicious.
Despite myself, I laugh. “Alarion followed me home yesterday. Daelor just happened to be there, walked me to my door, and helped me get rid of him.”
Oriana bumps my shoulder, grinning wickedly. “What did I tell you? Daelor likes you. You’re the only one who doesn’t see
“Don’t start,” I protest, cheeks flushing. My wolf bristles at the thought.
This isn’t a joke I can stomach–not with the mate bond still shackling me, my pregnancy hidden, my life in shambles.
Oriana just rolls her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Believe what you want. Now come on, let’s finish shopping. You’ve got an interview
to shine at.
–
The next morning, nerves flutter in my stomach as I arrive at Verdant Moon Herbalists. Their headquarters rises out of the forest, glass walls shimmering among the trees. Inside, sunlight pours through skylights, illuminating rows of worktables where wolves in crisp aprons weigh, grind, and mix herbs.
A graying she–wolf with gentle brown eyes greets me at the front desk. “Aelira Sunmere? I’m Myrelle, senior manager. Welcome.”
She leads me through a series of practical tests–preparing tinctures, blending pain relief mixes, demonstrating my touch with silver sage. Each time her eyes light with approval, my confidence grows.
“Your technique with silver sage is excellent,” she remarks as I finish a particularly tricky mixture. “Most apprentices
overdose.”
By afternoon’s end, Myrelle invites me into her office. “We’d like to offer you an apprenticeship, with potential for a permanent position after three months.”
My heart soars. “Thank you. I accept.”
“Wonderful.” She slides a contract across the desk. “One thing: you’ll mostly be preparing remedies for our spokesperson’s healing practice.”
I hesitate. “Spokesperson?”
“Cyrinne Wynthor, recently named as our public representative. Her skills have brought us a lot of attention.”
My stomach drops. Cyrinne. Of course.
Myrelle studies my face. “Is this a problem?”
I weigh my answer, struggling to sound professional, “I know her. Our relationship is complicated.”
Myrelle’s eyes soften. “Don’t worry. Herbalists work behind the scenes. You’ll barely interact.”
The position is everything I need. I can’t let personal grudges ruin my future.
I
“It won’t be a problem,” I say at last. “I can be professional.”
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Chapter 28 Registry Run
She smiles, satisfied. “Good. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stay late, losing myself among recipe books and shelves of rare herbs–some I’d only ever seen in old texts. By the time I leave, night has fallen, the sky a velvet shroud above the trees.
As I approach my apartment, a familiar scent curls around me–wolf–whiskey, pine, and that unmistakable Alpha musk. Alarion.
in
He’s slumped against my door, suit rumpled, hair a mess, eyes glazed from drink. He looks up as I near, desperation etched deep in his face.
“Aelira,” he slurs, voice thick with longing and regret. “Please. Don’t sever our mate bond.”
