The hall was filled with bustle and laughing, but all I could see was Raiden's confused expression. His eyes were fixed on me, as if he were trying to figure out why my manner had changed so abruptly. The way I smiled at Kaia instead of screaming and accepted her criticisms with grace rather than hatred, had frightened him.

That was precisely what I wanted.

I drifted across the hall, holding a wine glass, towards him. He got tense when I reached him, but he tried to hide it by putting a blank look on his face. Meanwhile, Kaia, still happy from the unwanted attention of my toast, barely noticed.

I looked up and smiled at him. I managed to keep my voice light and airy. "Congratulations, Alpha Raiden."

His frown got deeper. "Freya."

I cut him off by moving close and wrapping my arms around him in what looked like a loving hug. But as I pressed my lips close to his ear, my voice dropped to a whisper.

"No need to thank me," I murmured. "The severance scroll will be delivered to your den by the next moon."

He froze. His hands hovered over my back but never touched.

I immediately withdrew. Then I gave him one last lingering look before turning around, leaving him frozen in place.

I didn't bother looking at Kaia's reaction, because I already knew she was watching. I also already knew the victory she desired was slipping through her perfectly polished fingers.

Afterward, I strode out of the hall and with every step, it felt like a heavy load was coming off my shoulders. The burden that had kept me tied to a Luna bond filled with loneliness and lies had finally gone.

Tonight, I was free.

***

The Moonveil Valley was mesmerizing, its enchanted lanterns gleaming over the bustling streets despite the late hour. The chilly night air brushed against my skin, jolting my senses awake just a little.

My footwear clicked against the dirt path. The sounds of market carts and distant, wild laughter from a nearby tavern filled the space around me. But inside, there was only silence. A silence that felt like true peace.

I let the night take me wherever it liked. I walked with no plan. Just a desire to feel the liveliness of the land, to exist beyond the suffocating confines of the Alpha's compound and a life that had leashed me for far too long.

I passed groups of pack-mates, their laughter spilling into the street. Mated pairs walked close, their shared whispered secrets as softly as the lunar orbs above. For once, I didn't feel like the outsider watching life from the edges.

I was here, existing and for the first time in years, I wasn't waiting for someone else's command to dictate my next move.

Then, I saw it—the soft glow of a local tavern, with its entrance thrumming with anticipation. A line of people stretched down the path, all eager to step inside and lose themselves in the ancient folklore songs, in the moment.

A part of me hesitated. This wasn't something I usually did. But then again, what was usual anymore?

I didn't stand in line. I walked straight to the guard, carrying a confidence I wasn't even sure I truly had. He barely looked at me twice before moving aside.

The moment I stepped inside, the heavy beat of the music hit me, shaking my bones. The air was thick with wolf scents and the pungent reek of strong drink. Meanwhile, their bodies moved in a dreamy rhythm under the dim lights.

It was intoxicating.

I moved toward the bar and sat on a stool, crossing my legs. Then, the server came over.

"Elderberry wine," I ordered.

As I waited for my drink, I let myself take everything in—the people, the energy and the shameless enjoyment of the moment.

No expectations. No past. Just now.

Then, just as the server set my drink down, I heard a voice. "I'll pay for that."

The server nodded before I could speak.

When I turned around, I found a familiar face watching me.

There he was, the Alpha of the Red Moon pack. Or should I say, Rowan William?

He was leaning against the stone bar with his sharp, knowing eyes fixed on mine. The same man who had seen me at my lowest, who had pulled me back when I had almost lost myself in the street.

A soft smile played at his lips. Just like that, the night took an unexpected turn.