Sloane kept her head high, entered the cabin, and softly closed the door behind her.

Her heart was thundering in her chest, Ava was growling in anger.

Keeping her emotions under wraps, she met Damon's thundering gaze. She could feel his wolf was in control, but as soon as he came, Damon was back.

"May I know Mr. Blackthorn, what are you doing here in my cabin?" She asked.

"You may not." he growled.

"Very well then. I guess you are here for Miss Lyra's reports. A nurse can help you with that. If there is nothing else you can leave."

Damon was sitting on her chair, commanding the room with his Alpha aura. His aura was overwhelming, trying to make Sloane's knees buckle.

But she was not going to let that happen. Ava willed to stay in place, never backing down.

"What was that thing that you left for me?" He narrowed his eyes.

"You are well aware what that was," she answered unapologetically.

"Let me guess." Damon Blackthorn leaned back in a leather chair, lips twisting into a humorless smile.

"You're still jealous. Over a little incident? Over Lyra? An Omega?"

Not just any Omega.

Sloane stood across from him, spine straight, expression unreadable. "I'm not jealous, Damon. I'm done."

His golden eyes sharpened, Alpha aura rolling off him like a storm. "You think you can sever the bond and walk away? You're Luna Blackthorn. My mate. Without me, you're nothing."

Sloane's lips curved in a faint, icy smile. "Even the strongest leash can't hold a wolf that chooses to run. And frankly? I'd rather cut the chain myself than wait for it to choke me."

"You!" He surged to his feet, jaw clenched, standing up and taking steps toward her, hand gripping her chin with punishing force. "Sloane, you've grown a spine, haven't you?"

Sloane's eyes glittered with golden blaze, her wolf in charge, something colder than fear. "Are we done here, Alpha Blackthorn? Or would you like to keep proving how little our bond means?"

"You will be nothing without me. I will cut you off and will make sure that you stay a lone wolf. And you know what happens to lone wolves, they become rogues. I am giving you a chance, so stop throwing tantrums. Come back home and I will consider forgiving you."

Ava growled, Solene's eyes glowed golden, "What forgiveness. I will happily become a rogue if that means I get a break from you and your toxic relationship. Keep your paws out of my life. You might be an Alpha, but remember, I am not an Omega who will whimper. Your Alpha bark does nothing to me."

Damon's nostrils flared. A beat passed. Then, with a frustrated growl, he shoved her back.

"Fine. This afternoon. At the Council of Bonds. We'll see if you're brave enough to go through with it."

Sloane smoothed her blouse, utterly composed. "I'll be there."

That afternoon, the gleaming lobby of the Council headquarters was a stage for humiliation.

Damon arrived in his obsidian Bentley, Lyra on his arm, her beauty camera-ready even with a cast around her hand. Caleb followed close behind, small hand clinging to Lyra's skirt.

"If there's going to be a bond severance," Damon said smoothly, "my son deserves to know why his mother is destroying our family."

Reporters caught them, circling them like bloodhounds bombarding them with questions. They were already there, Solane was sure that Lyra tipped them. She wanted this to be a nationwide spectacle.

"The more the merrier." she smiled.

The reporters kept on questioning them.

"Is it true that you married your wife only because of your son?"

"What is the reason behind this tragic incident?"

"Is Miss Lyra the homewrecker?"

"Is she the reason Luna is leaving the family behind?"

Damon gritted his teeth, and Lyra became a little rigid. They were escorted inside the council chambers.

Sloane, already waiting by the marble steps, lifted her chin. The flashing cameras never caught her, she was there like a shadow, her calm smile cutting sharper than any dagger.

She joined them.

Caleb's voice rang out, trembling. "I don't want Mom. I want Aunt Lyra to be my real mother!"

The words should have gutted her. Instead, they set her free.

"Relax," Sloane said evenly. "I won't fight for custody. I'm giving you both exactly what you wanted. Caleb will get a new mom, the one he really likes, and Damon will get the love of his life."

Lyra's eyes glistened as she played her part, voice syrupy with false pity. "Sloane, please don't do this. Damon never meant to hurt you. He."

Sloane tilted her head, smile sharp as glass. "Are you a mind reader, or a witch well-versed in magical craft? How do you know what he meant, or both of you know each other so intimately that."

Lyra's facade cracked, her lips twitching.

Damon snarled, his Alpha aura whipping through the room, sending weaker wolves trembling to their knees. "Sloane, enough! You want to dissolve the mate bond? Fine. But don't crawl back later."

Sloane's voice cut through the chaos, calm and clear. "Oh please, if I ever regret this, I would swallow the whole silver bar."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Damon froze, disbelief flickering in his eyes. He thought she'd beg, as she always had. Instead, she walked past him into the Council chamber, heels clicking like war drums.

Behind her, Lyra's whisper hissed like venom. "In the end, Damon still chose me."

Sloane paused, her smile never faltering. "Is that a compliment? Just think, Alpha, who can betray his own mate, will ever remain loyal to a weakling Omega. Count your days, darling."

Lyra's face paled.

And with that, Sloane walked inside to sign away her bond, her freedom blazing brighter with every step.

**

They all were sitting before the council member ready to file the agreement.

"Are you both sure about this?" the officer asked.

"If you want to apologize." Damon started to speak.

"Yes." Sloane answered with a smile.

"You!" he growled. "You will regret this."

Sloane snorted. "Who do you think you are? Alpha like you comes in dozens and costs nothing."

"Be ready for the consequences." He snapped.

"Sloane, please it's." Lyra started crying.

"I wish I was on the jury Lyra. I would have given you a best actress award. What a shame." Sloane chuckled.

"Sloane!" Damon barked.

The room felt silent. His Alpha aura filling the room, making every wolf bow in pressure.

Sloane's eyes snapped.

"We. Are. Done." She growled.

Damon was startled for a moment but he nodded nonetheless.

"Ok then, if you are so adamant about it. So let's break the bond." He said, "But don't come back crawling after." His voice was smug as getting a reaction out of her was his endgame.

"Whoever regrets has to whimper like a rabid dog. And we all know who the dog is." Sloane warned.

Damon gritted his teeth but they signed the papers.

Damon was furious, he did not know where Sloane was getting this confidence. He wanted to make her pay and wanted to make her regret her decision.

Damon looked like he was about to shift right there, rage pulsing under his skin, the Alpha's aura filling the room like a storm.

Sloane was radiating a different aura, one that would make one tremble to the core.

This woman used to bow her head, keep quiet, obey her Alpha's every order. But now? Sloane Veyra, his Luna, stood tall with fire in her eyes. She didn't lower her gaze, didn't flinch under his dominance.

For a moment, he felt like the Luna he thought he knew had been replaced by a stranger.

And that shook him more than claws ever could.

Lyra hurried between them, wringing her hands. Her voice trembled, soft but insistent.

"Sloane, thank the Moon for the thirty-day cooling period. You frightened me just now! Don't worry, I'll find another to care for Alpha Damon. And Caleb, he's just a pup. He didn't mean what he said. Don't hold it against him. Kids don't know how to hide their feelings."

Sloane knew Lyra was a manipulative creature, she tried to act timid, but from inside she was a feral cat.

Damon's snarl faded into a cold, bitter laugh. So that was it. Sloane dared to challenge him because the Council's law gave her thirty days. If she vanished before then, the bond wouldn't sever. The thought that she might slip free sent a ripple of unease through his chest.

But unease turned to irritation, then to fury.

"This woman tried to trick me, a fool." Damon growled internally.

She hadn't learned a damn thing after all these years, still playing her games, still testing his patience.

"Fine!" His voice cracked like thunder, laced with Alpha command. "Bring it on. But you know the deal, there is no coming back from this. And if it is, then it will have to go through my way."

"Who do you think you are?" Sloane's lips curved into a sharp, humorless smile.

"Whoever breaks first, loses. And I don't lose, Damon."

The ancient law chafed her like silver chains, if not for it, she'd already be free of him. But if the Moon wanted her patience tested, then she'd endure it.

She turned on her heel, tossing one last look at the trio.

Caleb immediately darted behind Lyra, his little body trembling. He thought his mother was coming to snatch him away.

But Sloane only smirked, a cold edge in her eyes, and walked off.

Lyra looked nervously at Damon. "Alpha. aren't you going to stop her?"

"She's just in a mood," Damon said with a dismissive wave, though his jaw tightened. "I am not going to give her attention. She does these kinds of things to gain attention, and I have none to spare. Once she realises that there is nothing I will do, then she will come crawling back to me. That would be a scene to behold."

"You're the Alpha," Lyra urged softly. "Sometimes even you must bow a little."

Damon let out a low, mocking chuckle. His claws half-formed, curling against his palms.

"Me? Chase after her? No. I am Alpha Blackthorn. I don't do such things. She will come back, and I can guarantee you that."

But even as he said it, the echo of her defiance burned through him like a challenge in the blood.

**

Back at the hospital, Sloane threw herself into work.

Her research on moon-healing, the way lunar cycles affected shifter recovery, was nearly finished, so she passed it along to her mentor.

Not long after, the head of the department summoned her.

The woman had guided generations of wolves in both medicine and spirit.

She adjusted her spectacles, looking at Sloane with quiet warmth.

"This paper's strong. It ties perfectly to the aid mission the High Council is sending abroad." She sighed. "Too bad your family situation complicates things."

Sloane's eyes lit up. "Doctor, do you mean. there's an opportunity to train overseas?"

She nodded. "Right in your field of study. But you've always turned down the summons, haven't you? Seven, eight times by now. I almost stopped offering, assuming you have better things to do. I am really sorry."

Shame flickered across Sloane's face. She'd always hurried home to cook for Damon and tend to Caleb. She had become a mere shadow of those two.

And truth be told. she had considered it.

But it was her heart that was linked to Blackthorne's.

No more.

"Doctor," she said, voice steady, "I want to accept your proposal this time."

"You're saying, you're actually leaving?" The doctor was stunned.

Sloane took a deep breath. "I've disappointed you before. But give me this chance, and I'll prove myself worthy. I won't let you down."

She frowned. "And what of your Alpha? Your pup?"

She didn't know much of the Alpha beyond whispers of his coldness. To her, it seemed like Sloane was forever weighed down by a husband and child too heavy for her spirit.

"I can help you with them." she whispered.

Sloane blinked.

She sighed. "No need to hide it, child. If your Alpha or your son suffer some. mental issues, there's no shame in seeking help."

Sloane thought back to the Hall that morning, the severed bond papers, the look on Damon's face. A bitter smile touched her lips.

"They're. yes, you could say their minds aren't well."

The doctor's eyes softened with even deeper sympathy.

"But I severed the bond today."

She froze. "You. what?"

For a heartbeat, she seemed conflicted, then nodded firmly. Life was forward motion, not chains.

"Then don't worry about anything else. Pack your satchel. At dawn, you leave for Shadowcrane territory."

Relief and fire lit Sloane's chest. "Thank you so much. I'll never be able to repay you for this."

The doctor blinked again. Was it just her imagination, or did Sloane's aura gleam brighter now, like a Luna bathed in moonlight, finally remembering her own power?

**

Sloane boarded the plane the next morning, feeling a little lighter than usual. There was nothing holding her back. This was her new beginning.

No Damon, no Lyra, and no Caleb.

Her favorite smell was of freedom, and she was never going to get bored of it.

As soon as she settled into her seat, she pulled out her notes of case studies on lunar healing patterns, already preparing for the work ahead.

But an hour into the flight, the speakers crackled with urgency:

"Emergency in the Alpha's cabin. If there are any Healers or Doctors onboard, please assist immediately."

The cabin erupted in a ripple of panic. Human passengers thought something had gone wrong with the vessel itself, but Sloane knew better, the scent of fear rolled thick through the air, sharp as iron.

A flight attendant rushed down the aisle. Sloane rose at once, her Luna's aura steady. "I'm a healer from the Blackthorn territory. I'll help."

Relief washed over the attendant's face as she led Sloane toward the front.

But the moment they entered the business-class section, Ava bristled. The air was suffocating with dominance.

Bodyguards in black stood like statues along the walls, their silver eyes glinting. Their stares were blades, warning her that one wrong step could mean blood.

Sloane kept her head lowered, respecting their rank, and followed the attendant deeper inside.

At the center, a boy no older than eight clutched his throat, gasping, his cheeks flushed crimson. His small claws scratched at his skin in panic, his shift threatening to break loose under the stress.

This was unusual. Shifting happens once the wolf turns eighteen.

Sloane's heart clenched. He was not ready for the pain of shifting. Without hesitation, she darted forward, scooping him into her arms with the speed of instinct.

She laid him flat, murmuring low in the old tongue, her palms glowing faintly with the Moon's blessing. A quick spray of her herbal mist cleared his throat passage, and then she pressed firm against his belly to help force the blockage out.

Immediately, a growl ripped through the room.

One of the bodyguards bared his teeth, his voice a snarl. "What do you think you're doing? If anything happens to Master Volkov, you'll answer with your life!"

The bodyguard looked at Sloane with furious eyes, veins bulging, he was one step away from shifting on the spot.

The moment he lashed out, Solane was circled by the overgrowing Beta energy. It was easier for her as a Luna, but the scene was terrifying.

"Ex." as she opened her mouth to speak, another commanding voice echoed in the cabin.

"Stand down."

The bodyguards froze mid-step, their heads bowing low, instantly cowed by the weight of the voice. They backed off without another sound.

Sloane turned slowly, her pulse steady, though Ava stirred uneasily inside her.

The figure who approached wasn't like the rest. He wore only a black shirt, the top buttons undone, revealing glimpses of taut muscle and the faint marks of old scars. Tall, lean, carved from shadows, his sharp features carried a cold, unreadable power. Even the beads on his wrist, wolfbone polished smooth, seemed more talisman than ornament.

His gaze locked on her, as cool and ruthless as an Alpha's command.

Sloane cleared her throat, forcing calm. "Are you his father?"

The child's breathing had eased, his small body finally relaxing against her. The danger had passed, but he needed rest.

The man shook his head once.

She blinked. "No?"

"My nephew," he said at last. His voice was low, iron-hard, with no room for doubt. "Tell me what is going on with him."

He hesitated a beat, looking at her like she was a fraud and her touching his nephew was another trick for fun, but he added, "You won't be punished. Not when you meant no harm."

Relief loosened the tightness in Sloane's chest. For a moment, she'd truly thought she wouldn't leave this cabin alive.

She couldn't tell him what she noticed until she was sure about that thing. But for now a partial truth would suffice.

"His throat swelled nearly shut," she explained evenly. "Acute inflammation. Likely viral. He needs to be seen in a proper hospital as soon as we land. He's stable now, but keep him from stress, any more strain could trigger another attack."

As if to prove her words, the pup blinked awake, his bronze eyes glimmering as they fixed on her with awe, like she was the only light in the room.

The man gave a single nod, slow and deliberate. "You have my thanks."

Sloane offered a small smile, dipping her head respectfully. "I only did what a Healer must. It's the moon goddess's blessing."

"Still, I believe you deserve a token of gratitude." The man clicked his fingers, and one of the bodyguards gave her a bank card.

"I am sorry, I can't take this." Sloane stuttered.

"It's not a bribe, it's your fees. I hope you can take it." The man insisted, his voice still devoid of any emotion.

"I." she said.

"I insist," he said as he pressed the card into her hand.

Sloane was dumbfounded when she was escorted back to her seat. She was still reeling from the events that took place in the previous hour when she was once again summoned to the cabin.

"Please look after Master Volkov for the time being, that would be very helpful." One of the assistants pleaded.

Sloane agreed, she wanted to earn the money she was given. So that might be the way to ease the guilt.

Still, Sloane took her role seriously and kept her focus on the little wolf's breathing. His color returned, his pulse steadying, the faint rasp in his throat easing. Relief softened her shoulders.

After settling him, she wandered toward the door, gaze flicking over the lavish cabin. The space was opulent, marked by the unmistakable scent of old Alpha bloodlines, polished wood, carved runes etched into the corners, wards humming faintly. The hush inside was almost unnatural, as if the air itself bent in deference.

Through the window, she watched thick clouds roll beneath the plane's wings. For the first time in moons, she felt grounded.

Maybe when she first boarded, she was still mourning the severed bond with Damon, the weight of Caleb's rejection, the loss of a life she'd poured herself into.

But saving this child reminded her that her gifts weren't wasted. She wasn't just a discarded Luna. She was still a healer. Still a wolf with purpose.

That truth swelled inside her, warm and solid.

Suddenly.

A faint rustle stirred behind her.

She tensed.

The sound stopped. Silence pressed in.

Then, another rustle, closer this time. Testing her.

Her wolf pricked its ears. She turned slowly, but nothing greeted her.

Just as she started to face forward again, a small hand tugged gently at her tunic.

She glanced down instinctively.

And found herself staring into wide, yellow-tinged eyes.

The boy broke into a shy, awkward smile. His pale skin glowed in the cabin's lamplight, long lashes fluttering like a hawk moth's wings. When he blinked, those eyes shimmered like sunlight through amber.

Her chest softened instantly. A small pup suffering with that kind of pain.

Sensing her warmth, he nuzzled against her hand like a pup seeking comfort.

"What's your name, little wolf?" she asked, voice gentle.

The boy tilted his head, curls bouncing, and clung tighter to her fingers. His voice came out soft, sweet, still edged with a wolf pup's innocence.

"Jeremy Volkov."

Sloane chuckled and clasped his tiny hand, giving it a playful shake. "I'm Sloane Veyra. I'll be watching over you for now. You can call me Sloane. or Aunt Sloane, whichever you like."

"Aunt Sloane," he said solemnly, as though sealing a pact.

She nodded in approval, and his grin broke wide, dimples flashing like twin moons.

Too pure. Too bright. Sunshine wrapped in fur and skin.

The chamber was clearly designed for him, wolf toys scattered about, rune-marked blocks, carved wooden figurines of beasts.

While she checked his pulse again and listened to his breathing, she played with him, her hands quick and practiced. Years of dealing with Caleb's moods had made her patient; with this little one, it was effortless.

Soon, Jeremy was gazing at her with unguarded admiration.

"Auntie, you're amazing! Way cooler than my uncle!"

Sloane arched a brow, lips curving in a teasing lilt. "Is that so? Then, since you lost, it's time to take your medicine."

Jeremy obeyed without fuss, gulping down the herbal draught like a warrior in training.

By then, the plane began its descent.

A pack of bodyguards filed in silently to escort the pup away.

Ava gave a soft pang of reluctance. Still, she offered Jeremy a warm smile and lifted her hand in farewell.

He waved back, reluctant but trusting.

And just like that, the moment ended. She told herself it was over, just another episode in her journey.

She straightened her shoulders, packed her satchel, and stepped back into her true calling: the medical relief mission waiting below.

On the third day, just as Sloane finished scrawling the last notes on her healing reports and prepared to return to her quarters, a familiar scent drifted on the wind.

She froze mid-step.

Down the street, a towering man stood, broad-shouldered, dressed in black, unmistakably a war trained Beta. His stance was too deliberate, he wasn't there by chance. He was waiting.

Sloane's heart skipped.

Moon above... don't tell me saving that little wolf dragged me into pack politics. I can't afford to be tangled in another Alpha's mess.