The meltdown Blake and Wendy had expected from me never came.

I just stood there quietly, emotionless.

For the past three years, everyone thought I was hopelessly in love with Blake—that I was fated to love him, endlessly and unconditionally.

Indeed, at first I did love him, guided by what felt like destiny. But now, I couldn't feel a thing. The only reason I stayed by Blake's side was for the pack that raised me.

My parents had trained me in hunting since I was little. People who saw me in action often called me a natural-born hunter.

My parents wanted me to not only protect myself, but also the people I cared about.

So when I found out I was Blake's fated mate, I was over the moon. I poured everything I had into him, including my love, my energy, and my time.

I'd fight on the frontlines for him, and I'd sit down and study the pack's dull politics and operations, even though I hated it. There were so many times I wanted to quit. But then, I would think about how my decision could bring happiness to the pack, and that gave me strength.

And just like I hoped, the pack did grow stronger and more stable.

But the stronger the pack got, the less I saw Blake. At first, I chalked it up to work, thinking he was just too busy. Until one day, he rushed home in a hurry, and I caught Wendy's scent all over him.

Even though I knew our relationship was built on a contract, it still felt like a knife had stabbed through my heart.

That night, I kept asking myself why I wasn't standing beside him. I was his fated mate, so why couldn't he love me?

Back then, I did fight back. I lost my temper, and I made a scene.

I couldn't understand why, no matter how hard I tried, he just wouldn't look at me. But now I'd realized that love didn't always come just because you worked hard for it.

…

My reaction was nothing like what Blake had imagined. The old me would've blown up by now.

So now, he stared at me, stunned. He stepped in close. "What did you just say?"

I met his eyes and repeated it. "I said it was my bad. My bad for thinking that if I just worked hard enough, you'd stay with me. My bad for believing that if I gave it everything I had, you'd finally see me one day."

His brows pulled together. "What are you blabbering about?"

I opened my mouth to tell him the contract was almost up, but then I stopped. What was the point?

There were only three days left before our bond would break on its own.

Besides, he never cared about me anyway.

Wendy was watching us, and the pout on her face was instantly replaced by a burst of glee.

When I saw the corners of her mouth twitch up, I was honestly concerned she'd burst out laughing the next second.

Blake frowned, clearly annoyed as he looked at me. "What's the big deal with me making Wendy the Luna? Why are you getting all worked up?"

I smiled at him. "I'm not mad."

"Is this your new way of getting my attention?" He let out a cold snort. "Fine. Go stand in the yard all night and think about where you really belong."

That had always been his go-to punishment for me.

I didn't argue. I just turned and walked out. I stood out there all night in the freezing wind, while laughter from him and Wendy echoed from inside the house.

By dawn, the day had finally come. It was the day our contract officially ended, and our bond would break on its own.

What I didn't expect was that my father would show up first.

"The hunting competition's about to start. Why are you still standing around? You trained so hard to get selected. It's starting soon," he said.

The hunting competition?

Right, I'd almost forgotten. A month ago, I trained day and night just so I could surprise Blake by joining the competition, hoping I'd do well enough to finally earn a little of his respect.

I didn't need his attention anymore, but that didn't mean I was going to let all my effort go to waste. I nodded, then forced my numb legs to carry me toward the hunting grounds.

From a distance, I saw Blake right away. He had his arm around Wendy, gently helping her into her training gear as if she were made of glass.

When Wendy noticed me, she dragged Blake over to where I was standing.

"Clara! What are you doing here? This kind of competition isn't for an average Omega like you! I may be an Omega, but I'm the pack's Luna. You—"

Blake cut her off, scolding me the same way he always did. "Enough with the nonsense! This is an inter-pack hunting competition!

"Everyone competing is representing their pack! Don't embarrass us like this! You didn't use my name to get into this, did you?"

I rolled my eyes and shrugged. "I qualified fair and square."

His voice got sharper and angrier. "You've lost your damn mind!"

I stayed calm. "I've never needed your name to earn what's mine."

He grabbed my arm and started dragging me toward the exit. "Stop using me to get special treatment!"

I nodded. "Don't worry. I won't be your fated mate much longer."

Wendy jumped in at that moment. "Clara, I get it. You're upset because you think I stole your Luna title. But you shouldn't say stuff like that just to threaten Blake."

I snorted. "Threaten? Why don't you ask Blake if it's real?"

In the next second, I felt the bond deep in my soul break with a sharp and sudden crack.