Chapter 2

Lucian Heights Hospital glittered against the morning skyline, but Sloane Veyra didn’t wake to its sterile white walls. For the first time in six years, she woke to silence, no Alpha orders, no son tugging her sleeve, no family obligations binding her down. Just the soft hum of birds far from the Blackthorn estate. She had always been afraid of being a lone wolf, but today she felt free. She could smell freedom in the corner. “Just a day and you will be free again,” she smiled to herself. On the dining table, a neat breakfast waited, croissants, fresh juice, and a note from Rhea, her oldest friend. “Babe, everything passes. Sunny days ahead.” Beside the plate, Rhea had drawn a ketchup smiley face like they used to do in high school. Sloane’s chest warmed despite herself. She hadn’t felt this light in years. At the Blackthorn estate, chaos reigned. Alpha Damon sat at the head of the long glass table, frowning down at the breakfast spread. He was throwing daggers at the spread. The housekeeper had prepared it, not Sloane, and though the food was flawless, it tasted like ash on his tongue. A loud commotion came toward him, making his head hurt more. Caleb stumbled out, rubbing his eyes. One glance at the time, and he panicked. “Dad! I’m late for school! Why didn’t Mom wake me up?” Silence greeted him, damon greeted his teeths, unable to answer his questions. Caleb stomped toward the kitchen, only to bump into Mrs. Ellie, the housekeeper. “Careful, Little wolf!” she scolded gently. Caleb blinked, annoyed. “Where’s Mom?” “She… probably left early for work,” Ellie replied, unsure of what to answer. She had never faced this kind of situation before. His face brightened instantly. “Great! If she’s not here, I don’t have to go to school and won’t have to do any homework! Mrs. Ellie, make me a feast for lunch.” Mrs. Ellie hesitated. “But Mrs. Sloane always said.” “I don’t care what she said! She is not here, that means you do what I say.” Caleb cut her off, puffing out his chest like a spoiled young Alpha. Damon pinched the bridge of his nose, patience fraying. Ellie shook her head in annoyance, wondering what kind of Alpha he would become once he grew up. Then Ellie remembered something. She hurried over with a file she’d found on the marble counter. “Alpha, this was left on the table earlier. I thought it was one of your contracts.” Damon frowned, taking the folder. He didn’t usually leave business outside his office. But the moment he flipped it open, his face darkened. Mate Rejection Agreement. The bold crimson letters stared back at him. Sloane had dissolved their bond. Across the city, Sloane sipped her coffee in peace, the taste brighter than any feast she’d cooked in the Blackthorn penthouse. Her phone buzzed. “Mrs. Blackthorne, we didn’t see you drop Caleb off today. Is everything alright?” It was his kindergarten teacher. Sloane’s lips curved in a cool, almost amused smile. “I’m not Mrs. Blackthorne anymore. Please contact Alpha Damon Blackthorne for anything about Caleb.” “But you’re still his mother.” The teacher’s voice felt annoyed. “He’ll have a new one soon.” Sloane sing-songed. Her voice was mild, detached. She could feel that the teacher was stunned, but it didn’t concern her. No bitterness. No regret. Only freedom. Meanwhile, in the Blackthorn penthouse, Damon’s grip tightened around the papers, veins bulging against his skin. The air around him thickened, power surging unconsciously, enough to make Mrs. Ellie bow her head, trembling under the weight of his Alpha aura. Three days ago, Sloane had been his shadow-wife. A Luna in name only, but his nonetheless. His mate. And now? She’d walked away like their bond meant nothing. ** The feeling of freedom was something Sloane was missing a lot. But today she felt that her future was no longer bleak but full of radiant moonlight. She could feel happiness waiting for her at the end. “By the grace of the moon goddess,” she smiled as she once again looked at the entrance of the hospital where she works. This was her bread and butter, but this place makes her wolf, Ava happy. She was meant to be a healer from the very beginning. The moon goddess has blessed her with the boon of healing. But it came with conditions. She will have to learn and practice to hone her skills. Even in her darkest time, she never let her forget the blessing, and now that she was a lone wolf. Her blessing would be her sole priority. When she entered her cabin, she felt something was off. She could feel the overwhelming Alpha aura, and Ava knew what was waiting behind the doors.