After Severance Alpha Fell in Love With Ex-Luna novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Severance

(Elena’s POV)

"Elena, have you thought it over? Are you really transferring to Riverside Pack's Healing Center?" Director Henry Baker looked at my transfer report with surprise.

I nodded firmly, my decision already made. "Yes, Director. I've considered it thoroughly."

His brows furrowed as he examined the paperwork. "But you're our best healer. The Shadow Moon Pack needs you here."

"The Riverside Center has offered me a senior position. It's a good opportunity." The words felt hollow even as I spoke them.

The truth was far more painful. I couldn't bear to stay in the Northern Territory any longer, not with my mate bond to Marcus Blackwood becoming more unbearable each day. Six years of marriage to the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack had brought me nothing but heartache.

"Is this because of Sophia Rivers' return?" Director Baker asked carefully.

My heart clenched at the name. Sophia Rivers—Marcus's first love who had suddenly reappeared after years away. The she-wolf he had never forgotten, even after mating with me.

"This is a professional decision," I lied smoothly. "Nothing more."

How could I explain that watching Marcus place Sophia in this very institute, forcing me to see her every day, had finally broken something inside me? That I couldn't bear witnessing his gentle smiles toward her when he had only ever shown me cold indifference?

"Very well," Director Baker sighed, stamping my transfer request. "The paperwork will be processed within the week."

I thanked him and turned to leave, my heart heavy but my resolve firm.

As I stepped into the corridor outside the Director's Office, my breath caught in my throat. There, just a few feet away, stood Marcus Blackwood—my mate in name only—with Sophia Rivers and her pup, Oliver.

The three of them looked like a perfect family portrait. Marcus stood protectively close to Sophia, his golden eyes warm as he gazed down at her. The little boy clutched Marcus's hand with familiar ease.

The sight sent a sharp pain through our mate bond—a connection Marcus had always resented.

Sophia noticed me first, her smile bright and seemingly genuine. "Oh, Elena! It's so nice to see you again."

I forced myself to nod politely, though my wolf whimpered inside me at the sight of another she-wolf so close to my mate.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced," Sophia continued cheerfully. "I'm Sophia Rivers, Marcus's childhood friend. We grew up together in the Shadow Moon Pack."

Friend. What a convenient understatement. Everyone knew she had been much more than that.

The little pup beside her looked up at me with curious eyes. "Are you a healer too? Like my mommy?"

Before I could answer, he turned to Marcus with adoration. "Daddy Marcus, is she your friend?"

My heart stopped. Daddy Marcus?

Marcus didn't correct him. Instead, he gently stroked the boy's head, his expression softening in a way I had never seen directed at me.

"Oliver," Sophia chided gently, though she didn't correct him either.

I stared at Marcus, silently begging him to explain, to deny what seemed obvious—that this pup was somehow his. That before our six years of mating, he had been with Sophia.

But Marcus merely looked at me with cold detachment, as though I were a stranger rather than his Luna.

A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. Of course. Our confidentiality agreement. The one that stipulated our mating would remain private, that I would never publicly claim him as my mate.

The memories flooded back unbidden. How I had saved Marcus's life years ago after a devastating accident. How his grandmother, Margaret Blackwood—the former female Alpha and still the most powerful member of the Blackwood family—had suggested our mating as repayment.

"You saved my grandson's life," Elder Margaret had said. "In return, the Blackwood family will give you everything—wealth, status, protection for your family."

When I discovered Marcus was actually my fated mate, I had been overjoyed and accepted Elder Margaret’s suggestion. But for Marcus, our mating was nothing but an unwanted obligation.

He had made the terms clear: keep distance, don't speak to him in public, never use our mate bond to communicate unless absolutely necessary, and above all, never reveal our mating to anyone.

For six years, I had endured this half-life, sustained by the foolish hope that he might eventually develop feelings for me. But now, seeing him with Sophia and Oliver, I finally understood the truth.

I felt Marcus's stern gaze on me, warning me to maintain our secret. Even now, he couldn't bear the thought of anyone knowing we were mated.

"No," I lied, the word burning my throat. "I don't have a mate."

Later that night, I packed my belongings in the Master Suite, a sense of finality washing over me. I removed our mating ceremony photo from its frame and dropped it into a box of discarded memories.

The door opened, and Marcus entered, his expression unreadable.

"What are you doing?" he asked, eyeing my half-packed suitcase.

"What does it look like? I'm leaving."

"Because of Sophia and Oliver?" His tone was accusatory, as though I were being unreasonable.

"Is he yours?" I asked directly, needing to hear the truth.

Marcus avoided the question. "You're being ridiculous. You got what you wanted—the title of Luna, the security for your family. What more do you expect?"

His words cut deeper than any knife. After six years, he still believed I had mated him for status and security.

"We need to talk." Marcus stopped at the Shadow Gate Foyer, looking at me with a hint of impatience in his golden eyes, an expression of cold indifference.

"What is it now?"

I clutched the silver pendant that had replaced my mating mark during our ceremony, gathering my courage. "Let's sever the mate bond." I was ready to release him from our unwanted connection. "I'll set you free."

Marcus's expression became even more gloomy. "I will not agree to breaking our bond."

I was taken aback.

“Why?” I asked.