Tharina had just stepped beyond the gates when a message from Jolene reached her.

[Tomorrow is your grandfather’s birthday gathering. I hope you will come one last time. I also wish to give you the separation papers myself.]

Tharina looked at the message for a long time before replying with a single word.

[Okay.]

The next morning, she arrived early at the Ashbourne estate, a grand pack residence built for generations of Alphas. She planned to offer her respect and leave quietly.

She didn’t expect Malven to arrive with Elodie by his side.

The courtyard fell into noise at once. Pack members turned to one another, whispering in shock.

Jolene’s face lost all color.

"Who allowed you to bring her here? Guards, remove her from this house!"

Malven stepped forward at once, placing himself in front of Elodie.

"Let anyone try."

His gaze swept across the crowd, sharp and commanding.

"Elodie carries my blood. A true heir of the Ashbourne line. I brought her here so all of you will acknowledge it."

The teacup slipped from Tharina’s hand. It broke against the stone floor, warm tea spilling over her feet. She felt nothing.

Malven’s face remained hard as he pulled out a folded report.

"Tharina cannot bear a pup. The pup Elodie carries is the only heir this family has."

Jolene staggered back, grabbing the report with shaking hands. Her face turned pale as she read. Around them, voices rose, filled with shock and disbelief.

Tharina steadied herself and stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Malven.

"Where did you get this?"

Malven’s voice held anger.

"If Elodie had not discovered it, would you have hidden this truth forever? Let the Ashbourne bloodline end?"

A bitter laugh left Tharina’s lips, but she said nothing more.

Elodie turned toward her, her eyes wet with tears.

"I know I am not worthy of standing here. I know I cannot compare to you. But this pup has done nothing wrong. I only wish to keep it."

Jolene’s voice cut through the air, strong and cold.

"This family will never accept that pup, and it will never accept you!"

She moved to stand beside Tharina, firm and unyielding.

"Anyone who dares bring that woman into this house will answer to me first!"

Malven raised his voice again. "Mother, Elodie carries a son."

The entire courtyard fell silent.

"I will ensure she gives birth safely. He is my only heir. As for you, Tharina, you will remain as the Luna of this pack. After the pup is born, he will be placed under your care. That should be enough."

Let Elodie bear the heir. Keep Tharina as Luna to protect the family’s name.

Tharina let out a hollow laugh.

Enough?

"What a perfect plan, Alpha Ashbourne. You truly wish to keep everything for yourself."

Across the courtyard, Eldrath Ashbourne heard every word. His body trembled as he clutched his chest and sank into his seat.

Tharina looked at the scene before her, a twisted display she no longer wished to be part of. She took a slow breath, forcing her emotions down, then turned to Jolene and Eldrath. She bowed deeply.

"The affairs of the Ashbourne Pack have nothing to do with me anymore."

She turned and began to walk away.

"Wait. Please wait."

Elodie rushed after her and grabbed her arm. Tears ran down her face, her voice trembling.

"Please, I beg you. Let me keep this pup. I am begging you."

"Let go of my hand."

Tharina pulled her arm, trying to free herself. But Elodie only held tighter. She leaned close, her voice dropping so only Tharina could hear.

"Tharina Steelhowl. I never thought he would still keep you as Luna."

The words struck deep. In the next moment, the grip on Tharina’s arm was gone.

Elodie suddenly fell backward. Her body hit the stone steps with a heavy sound, and a sharp cry echoed through the courtyard.

"Ahh!"

"Elodie!"

Malven rushed forward, seeing her lying on the steps, both hands clutching her stomach, her face pale.

"Malven... she pushed me. My stomach... it hurts... the pup... my pup..."

A deep red stain slowly spread across the hem of Elodie’s dress.

Malven’s eyes turned wild. In the next instant, he rushed forward and seized Tharina by the throat, his voice rough like a furious wolf.

"You cruel woman! You cannot bear a pup, so you chose to destroy mine? How can you be this heartless?"

His grip tightened, cutting off her breath. Tharina struggled, her hands clawing at his wrist. She tried to speak, to tell him she had done nothing, but no sound came out.

Then he let go, not with care, but with force.

Her body was thrown back. She hit the ground hard. Without thinking, she curled inward, her arms wrapping around her stomach before the pain could even reach her mind.

Malven had already turned away. He lifted Elodie into his arms and rushed toward the door, his voice shaking.

"Don’t be afraid. I will take you to the healer. The pup will be safe."

Jolene hurried after them. When she saw Tharina lying on the ground, pale and weak, tears filled her eyes.

"Tharina, I am so sorry."

Tharina pressed her hand against the wall and slowly forced herself to stand. A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"I am sorry I ruined grandfather’s celebration."

Jolene’s eyes were red as she took out a document and placed it into Tharina’s hand.

"From today onward, you are no longer Luna of Ashbourne Pack. You are my own daughter. That will never change."

Tharina felt her throat tighten. She gave a small nod, then turned and walked away.

She had not gone far when several guards dressed in black surrounded her and pushed her into a waiting car.

The car sped across the territory and stopped at the healer’s hall.

Inside a private chamber, Elodie lay resting, tears still on her face. The moment Tharina was brought in, her crying grew louder.

Malven stood from the bedside and walked toward Tharina. He looked down at her, his gaze cold and merciless.

"The pup is gone. Kneel and beg for forgiveness."

A guard forced her down. Her knees struck the hard floor with force, pain shooting through her body.

Still, she lifted her head.

"I didn’t do it. Why should I beg?"

Anger twisted Malven’s face.

He had once told her no one would replace her. That the pup would be given to her to raise, and Elodie would be sent away after.

Then why would she destroy his pup?

He took out his crystal communicator and made a call.

"The contract with the Steelhowl Pack, cancel it at once. End everything immediately."

He ended the call and looked at her again.

"You refuse to admit your fault? Then by morning, your family will fall. Your father barely survived before. This time, he will not."

Tharina felt her heart sink. She knew he could do it. With a single command, he could bring down everything her family had built.

Her father was no longer strong. He could not survive another blow. She could not let them suffer because of her.

The pain in her lower body grew stronger, sharp and twisting. She bit her lip until she tasted blood. Only then did she lower her head.

"I am sorry."

Behind her tears, Elodie’s lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.

"Leave."

Malven’s voice held no warmth at all.

Tharina rose slowly. Each step was painful, her legs trembling, but she didn’t turn back.

Behind her, Malven’s voice softened as he spoke to Elodie, "Don’t worry. I am here with you."

The doors opened, and cold night air rushed toward her. Tharina placed her hand gently over her stomach. Her fingers felt cold through the cloth. She lowered her head and spoke softly.

"It is alright, my dear. Mother will take you away from here. We will not return."

She didn’t go back to the pack house. There was nothing there for her anymore.

She drove straight to the airfield and bought a single ticket for the next flight leaving the land. Then she opened her crystal communicator and sent a file to a reporter.

"Release this after three days. Place it where all can see."

As the plane rose into the sky, Tharina looked out at the clouds below. Her eyes were calm, filled with certainty.

“Malven Ashbourne… this is the end. I loved you for many years. Let this be my final gift.”

After this, a new path begins.