A Healer's Final Rejection

I had no grounds to dissolve the union.

And the Sterling Pack wouldn't let go of such an easily controlled daughter-in-law.

As planned, the bonding feast was held on schedule.

The Sterling Pack's grand hall was filled with guests, wine flowing freely.

In the dressing room, a wave of drowsiness washed over me. My eyelids felt like lead. A strange, cloying aroma, laced with the sharp scent of wolfsbane, hung heavy in the air.

I knew this script. It was a scene straight from my past life.

So, I played along, letting my head droop onto the vanity.

Through the haze, I felt someone shift my body, checking to see if I was truly unconscious.

When the room fell silent again, my eyes snapped open.

I scrambled into my gown, not even taking the time to finish my makeup.

I burst out of the room and sprinted for the main hall.

Everyone stared at my sudden, disheveled appearance. Even Marcus and Eleanor Sterling looked bewildered.

I rushed to the main stage and grabbed the microphone. "Everyone, since today is my bonding feast, I'd like to give you all a little gift to commemorate our 'eternal vows.'"

The moment I finished speaking, I lunged at Jonas and, in front of everyone, ripped open his expensive, custom-tailored dress shirt.

His muscular chest was exposed to the air. But that wasn't the point.

The guests instantly burst into an uproar.

"Isn't he an Alpha?"

"That's a tattoo on his chest... is that the name of the Valerius girl? To mark another wolf's mate! Shameless!"

Eleanor clapped a hand over her mouth, letting out a horrified gasp.

I seized the moment, my expression instantly crumbling into the most pitiful mask of heartbreak I could manage. Tears welled in my eyes, my lower lip trembling as if I were about to shatter. Just like that, everyone forgot I was the one who had ripped the shirt. All eyes were glued to the two traitors.

In the chaos, Jonas's father, Marcus, was so enraged his face was purple. He slapped Jonas hard across the face. "You disgrace! Haven't you brought enough shame upon this family?"

Eleanor rounded on a flushed Cassia, her voice like a whip. "Cassia Valerius, how dare you! Seducing my son? This is a Valerius plot to frame him, isn't it!"

The slap stunned Cassia. She scrambled into Jonas's arms for cover.

The Sterlings began clearing out the guests. After the hall had emptied, I slowly emerged from the back of the crowd.

When my eyes met Jonas's, there wasn't a trace of guilt in them. Only fury.

"Rowan, we need to talk."