I sat in the empty living room, staring at the circled date on the wall. Twelve days until my flight.
My phone screen lit up with a message from Rocco’s assistant: “Luna Caterina, the Alpha has an important meeting today and may be home late.”
Late? Or not at all?
I put my phone away and picked up the rejection agreement I’d prepared.
If he wouldn’t come home, I would go to him.
It was time to end this.
As I stepped out of the elevator, the receptionist at Rocco’s company greeted me with a professional smile. “Luna Caterina, perfect timing! The Alpha arranged a spectacular light show on the building for your anniversary.”
I paused.
Anniversary?
The anniversary of our Mate Bond was indeed approaching, but it was also the day I was set to leave.
“It’s so romantic!” another colleague chimed in. “The whole neighborhood is taking pictures.”
“Wow, this is unbelievably romantic!” a young woman exclaimed, recording a video. “I heard the CEO of this building arranged it to celebrate his anniversary with his love.”
I stopped and looked up at the cascade of brilliant lights.
Three days ago, I might have been moved.
Now, the dazzling display was nothing but a mocking decoration.
I looked at my reflection in the window—my pale face, my tightly pressed lips, and the exhaustion I couldn’t hide in my eyes.
The signs of the breaking bond were already showing.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, and I walked straight toward Rocco’s office, clutching the document in my hand.
On the surface, it was a simple Pack Asset Authorization Form, meant to quell the recent rumors about our relationship.
In reality, it was a key step in the Rejection ritual, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself.
Every letter on the document had been enchanted by Sage with ancient runes. The moment Rocco signed it, our Mate Bond would begin to fracture, breaking completely on the next full moon.
I stood before his office door and took a deep breath.
Then I pushed it open.
I never expected the “gift” he had waiting for me.
The scene inside made me freeze.
Scarlett was curled up on the black leather sofa, dressed in a cream-colored knit sweater, its collar open just enough to reveal her delicate collarbones.
Her face was as pale as porcelain. One hand was pressed to her chest while the other hung limply over the side of the sofa. She looked so fragile she might shatter at a touch.
Rocco was kneeling beside her, his large frame protectively shielding her.
He was stroking her hair, a potent, soothing Alpha aura radiating from him, warm and dense.
“It’s okay, Scar,” he murmured, his voice low and gentle, as if coaxing a child. “The malicious auras of those lesser wolves can’t get to you. I’m here. No one can hurt you.”
