Chapter 14%
Alpha Draven clenched the paper rose tighter in his hand. Its edges, razor–sharp from magic–infused bark, cut deep into his palm. Thin crimson lines streaked down his fingers, but he didn’t loosen his grip.
Not yet.
The scent of her–lavender and ash–still clung to the fabric of his coat. Even after all these months, it haunted him. Just like she did. Ella &
Her calm gaze flashed through his mind. Not fiery like it used to be. Not broken, either. Just… calm. Resigned. Like someone who’d stopped fighting for a reason.
It hadn’t been a tantrum. Not a test. It was utter and complete surrender.
He shut his eyes and let the last letter she’d left to her parents‘ grave echo in his head.
“Mom, Dad… I’m exhausted. I can’t carry the pain anymore. I don’t want to love him anymore. Not like this.“>
His claws itched beneath his skin.
“I’ll figure something out,” he muttered, his voice low, unsure if he was trying to convince his father… or the beast within him.
Across the hospital room, his father exhaled slowly, his breath rattling through aged lungs. His fingers tapped a dull rhythm on the iron railing of the reinforced hospital bed–a bed reinforced because Elder Alpha Alaric Blackthorn was still dangerous, even dying.”
“Three months,” the old Alpha said at last, holding up three trembling fingers.
Draven’s ears twitched at the weight behind those words.
It was not a request, it was a decree.§
“I’m giving you three moons. If you can’t win her back, you will marry a she–wolf from the Sharp Fang pack. No arguments. No rebellion.“}] Draven’s head snapped up, his golden irises flashing briefly in warning.}
“The Sharp fangs? She’s only eighteen!“}]
“So?” Lucien scoffed, waving a bony hand.
“She’s fertile, powerful, and politically valuable. The pack alliance with the Sharp Fangs will strengthen our bloodline. Better than wasting your bond on that… Omega she–wolf.”}
He spat the word like venom.}
“Ella Moonfall was once Luna–born,” Draven growled, his voice low. “She was one of us. I am going to find her.“>
“She walked away. She let go of the bond,” his father snarled. “She chose exile. That’s treason.“}
“She chose freedom.”}
Alaric sneered, his breaths becoming shallower. “Love makes fools of kings. And you’re next in line. You have three months, Draven. Win her back, or you forfeit your right to choose.“}
Alaric turned away, exhausted. “Now get out. I need to rest.”
Ε
Ella’s POV
ว
In a sleepy corner near the borders of Black Hallow Pack, I sat in a coffee shop, staring blankly at another rejection email on my cracked laptop screen. The scent of burnt espresso and cinnamon pastries filled the air, but I tasted nothing.
“Still no luck?” Seth Hallow slid into the seat across from me, he was holding two coffees in his hands.
I shook my head, the glowing screen reflecting in my eyes. “The editor says the market wants something dramatic. Over–the–top. My stories are too… clean.”
Seth leaned closer, his warm breath brushing my cheek, stirring memories I’d tried to bury.
“Then give them drama,” he said softly. “You’ve lived it.“}
I scoffed. “I haven’t even-” I trailed off, the words turning to ash on my tongue.
Because I had.
Just not in ways the world would understand. Not in ways they could.
They didn’t know that I once wore the Luna’s mark on my wrist.
Or that I was once drowned in power that wasn’t truly mine to claim.
That I once commanded a pack with my voice alone.>
That I once loved a prince of wolves.
But all that is gone now. Our bond was severed. My wolf is silent.
That night, I stayed up sketching like a woman possessed. I poured every raw memory, every bleeding emotion onto the digital canvas. I exaggerated a few things–gave it comic book flair.
A naive girl. A powerful heir. Ten years of love. A sacred bond is shattered when he brings home a pregnant mistress.
Seth stared at the finished panels, stunned.
10:48 AM
S
“This is way too…”
“Dramatic?” I asked dryly.
He didn’t answer. Just looked at me with eyes full of pain, he couldn’t voice it.
When the comic went live, I didn’t expect much. But within hours, it went viral.
[Is this a true story? My heart aches for the female lead!]
[Update soon! I need to see that cheating bastard get what he deserves!]}
[The female lead should find a hot alpha and make him howl in regret!]
“Ella! Look at this!” Seth burst into my room, his phone in his hand. “You hit a million views! A studio wants to sign you!“?
I blinked. The numbers on the screen blurred for a moment.”
My pain, once too wild to name, had become entertainment.
Somehow, that should’ve hurt. But instead, I felt… free.
“We should celebrate!”
Later that night, under the warm glow of golden chandeliers in a high–rise restaurant, Seth raised his wine glass. The clink echoed like a soft promise.
“To new beginnings.”
I met his gaze and smiled. “To new beginnings.”
The wine was rich and sweet. His eyes never left mine.”
And when the buzz of alcohol settled into my bones, Seth whispered, “Do you still… love him? Alpha Draven Blackthorn?”
For a moment, the name conjured claws and moonlight. A shadow of a howl beneath my skin.
But then it passed.
“I don’t like him anymore,” I said calmly.
“Like not liking expired milk… or a faded painting. That bond is broken. And I’m still standing. I don’t like Draven anymore.“> Seth exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for years. “I believe you.”
He reached across the table, brushing his fingers over mine.
And for the first time in years, the silence in my soul didn’t feel hollow.
It felt like peace.
It must be the wine.
