Ethan’s hands shook as he pressed play.
The screen displayed footage of Lizzy carefully and methodically crafting the wolfsbane antidote from scratch.
Every movement was deliberate, focused, and full of quiet devotion.
Onscreen, she smiled, voice light with hope.
“This is a gift I’m making for my mate.
“A year ago, he ingested wolfsbane by mistake during a mission and began experiencing berserker episodes.
“I want to create something that does more than just neutralise the toxin. However, it also calms the rage.
“I’m so close! I just need one more rare herb.
“I won’t finish it until after my birthday… I’ll go to the Dark Forest to find it.”
Ethan stared at the screen, his fingers trembling.
Shock and despair overcame him.
He could see it clearly in his mind now: Lizzy’s last look at him.
He had never seen heartbreak or sorrow.
There was one more recording on the pack feed.
A candid and final farewell letter.
Lizzy revealed everything–how her mate’s heart had shifted towards another, and how she was tired of clinging to a broken, ridiculous marriage.
At the end, her voice was calm and unshakeable.
“If this marriage was a lie from the start, then I’ll set you free-and set myself free too.”
The video and recording spread like wildfire, tearing through both Crimson Pack and Shadow Fang Pack.
Gossip erupted in a storm that no one could stop.
***
Meanwhile, I constructed a small healing cabin on the outskirts of the Dark Forest.
This place was mine, away from the two large packs, family, and Ethan.
Mine alone.
I settled here as a healer.
There will be no more cautious, trapped she-wolves living inside a made-up love story.
Out here, the wolves from the nearby small packs appreciated my work.
I healed their illnesses.
Some packs even sent me their best young wolves and begged me to train them.
***
A month later, Lyra called–an old friend from the North, one of the few who helped me disappear.
“Ethan’s been looking for you,” she said.
I let out a low and cold laugh.
“Looking? We were never marked. There is no mate bond to break. What is the point?”
“He went to Master Healer Levi,” she explained. “He also tried to contact your old friends. Don’t worry; I kept my mouth shut.
“I heard he’s been drowning in guilt; the Silver Moon Guard told him the storm had wiped out everything in that part of the sea, and your chances were basically zero.
“Still… He keeps going back. Continues sending search teams. “Keeps finding nothing.”
I listened silently, as if she were telling me a story unrelated to me.
“Lizzy,” Lyra asked after a beat, “what about your posts and videos?” They wrecked him. Complete nightmare. The uploads exposed everything: his neglect and betrayal. Crimson Pack elders are discussing removing his Alpha heir title.”
I smiled lightly and easily.
There is no feeling, no regret.
Is his reputation shattered?
He deserved every crack.
He treated our so-called mate bond as a joke, and now he could accept the punchline.
I asked, “How is Riley?”
