Chapter 2

The next morning, I was jolted awake by the noise echoing through the castle's main hall. Ivy stood in the middle of the hall, running her hands over the gifts, shaking her head. "Silas, these are far too precious… I really can't accept them…" "For you and our pup, nothing is too much." Silas' voice was warm and indulgent. Then he saw me coming down the stairs. The room seemed to freeze. "Nova…" He shifted his body, subtly placing himself in front of Ivy, his tone awkward. "These are for stabilizing the pregnancy and preparing for the pup. If there's anything you want, I'll bring it for you next time…" "Silas," Ivy interrupted softly. She held up an envelope sealed with red wax and slowly walked toward me. "I've already prepared the return gift Luna wants most." I took it and broke the seal. Inside was the bloodline bond termination contract. Below the ancient runes, Silas Grimoire's signature was bold and sharp, the strokes cutting into the page. It was just like the inscription he'd carved into the hundred-year-old sacred tree back then. "Nova belongs to Silas." "Nova belongs to Silas." I lifted my head and looked at him. He frowned, confused, his gaze dropping to the parchment in my hands. "Nova, what gift do you want the most?" He knitted his brows. "Why don't I know about this?" He reached for it, but I snapped it back before he could touch it. My smile carried a bitter edge. "It's a wonderful gift." His eyebrow lifted. "Are you keeping secrets from me now?" I tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Didn't you keep a secret from me when you let Ivy carry your pup for three months?" His expression changed instantly. He shot a reflexive glance at Ivy and lowered his voice. "Didn't we agree not to bring this up again? I explained why this pup had to stay—" He paused, then his tone softened abruptly. "I hid it because I was afraid you'd leave me." Afraid I'd leave? I thought, "Silas, the thing you fear most is the one you're bound to lose." Right on cue, Ivy's eyes reddened. "This is all my fault… I never should've used my body that night to help you suppress the heat drug. I never should've let the elders discover I was pregnant… I never meant to destroy what you had…" Tears hung on her lashes, refusing to fall. Silas immediately turned and wrapped his arms around her, his voice unbearably gentle. "Don't say that. This isn't your fault." I turned and walked away. "Nova!" He rushed after me and grabbed my wrist. "Where are you going?" "I'm going to take care of something." He frowned. "It's pouring outside. I'll drive you." Then he turned to the maids and gave brisk instructions. "Raise the temperature in Ivy's room. She can't get chilled. When you make the soup, leave out anything with strong spices. Her sense of smell has been sensitive lately." He spent ten full minutes going over every little detail. I stood in the shadow of the castle entrance, watching him quietly. Finally, he finished and got into the car. I looked at his profile and suddenly smiled. "Silas, you'll be a good father." He stiffened. His pupils tightened. "Only pups born by you are worthy of inheriting the Alpha position." I turned my gaze to the window, saying nothing. Trying to break the silence, he spoke over the sound of the heavy rain. "It's raining this hard. Why are you going to the elders' hall?" I hadn't answered yet when his phone started vibrating. Ivy's voice burst through the speaker, trembling with tears. "Silas… My head hurts so much…" His face went pale instantly. "Don't be afraid. I'm coming back right now!" He ended the call and looked at me. "Nova, we're almost at the elders' hall. Can you—" "Yes." I calmly pushed the car door open. The rain swallowed me whole. His car shot forward like lightning, tearing through the curtain of rain and vanishing. So close, Silas. Just a little closer, and you would have seen exactly what I was about to do. I raised my hand and knocked on the door. It opened. The High Elder stood there. I unfolded the oilskin paper, revealing the termination contract, and handed it to him. "You want to dissolve the Guardian bond?" His voice was low. "The price is steep. The ancient punishment damages the soul. You may permanently lose part of your power." He placed his hand on the parchment, his expression heavy. "Don't rush this. Leave it with me for now. Go back and think it through carefully." His tone was gentle. He was genuinely worried about me. "This isn't a small matter. Think it through. Think for yourself." I stared at the contract, then at the concern on the High Elder's face. The words I'd rehearsed died in my throat. The reckless determination I'd clung to began to falter. Could I really abandon the pack I had protected for half my life and the man I had loved for so many years so easily? "Alright." I lowered my head, my voice softer. "I'll think about it again." The parchment stayed on the desk. I didn't take it with me.