Beyond the Broken Mate Bond

Seraphina said, "A human friend of mine lost her passport and asked me the steps to get a replacement."

Kaden took quick paces ahead and held Seraphina tight in his arms. "You nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought you were going abroad without me."

Seraphina turned her head away and threw up again.

Kaden carried the thick, sickly-sweet scent of Lyra after their private encounter. He patted her back in distress. "What did they feed you? I gave them specific instructions to look after you since you have been having an upset tummy. Wait here while I sack them."

It took everything in Seraphina to push Kaden away. "You can fire anyone for all I care, but stop using me as an excuse!"

Her outburst threw Kaden off. "Sera, are you mad at me? Is it because I have been too occupied with my pack duties to spend time with you?"

He added. "Why don't I clear my schedule for tomorrow and make sure I shower you with all my attention?"

Seraphina smirked in rage. "So I'll have you all to myself?"

"Yes, that's right."

Seraphina took a deep breath before uttering, "Let's hope you keep your word."

For some reason, there was a sudden downpour that night.

Seraphina did not stop retching from the moment they got home.

Despite Kaden's attempt to get close to her, she turned him away. "Don't come any closer. The stench on you is making me sick all over again."

Kaden sniffed his sleeve and replied, "I guess my cologne disagrees with you. I'll switch to something different."

"Kaden, you know full well that the cologne isn't the issue."

"Okay, okay. Don't be upset. I won't wear any fragrance anymore, alright?"

Seraphina splashed cold water on her face and looked up at her reflection in the mirror.

Outside the bathroom, Kaden stood anxiously with a basin of hot water.

Seraphina couldn't understand how Kaden could still stand there, playing the role of a devoted mate with Lyra's intimate scent clinging to him.

Somehow, Kaden looked like he cared a lot about her. Yet, he had no qualms about betraying their mate bond.

Maybe the council member was right. An Alpha with power could get away with messing around so long as his Luna never found out.

He got one thing wrong, though. Seraphina was not naive. She was not one to compromise her dignity and self-respect.

Since the mate bond did not come with Kaden's full devotion, Seraphina wanted no part of it.

Early next morning, Kaden took Seraphina to the pack's healer.

After a thorough examination, the healer offered a diagnosis. "Luna Seraphina's intense mood swings have likely weakened the mate bond and led to her physical symptoms."

Kaden muttered, "Intense mood swings?"

"That's right. Luna has been feeling emotional lately. Some recent trauma must have hit her hard enough to cause the violent nausea."

Kaden asked Seraphina, "Has something been troubling you, Sera? Just tell me. I might be able to help you."

Seraphina looked away, refusing his touch. "You can't fix it."

"Just talk to me. There's very little I can't set right in the pack."

He had a point. Ironically, Kaden was the key to making the problem go away.

Seraphina was tempted to ask Kaden who he'd choose to save if she and Lyra were drowning at the same time.

On second thought, Seraphina could never place her own destiny in the hands of another. No one could save her but herself.

She knew how to swim. She could save herself.

Seraphina had no need for Kaden anymore.

She applied to an art school abroad under the name Kathryn Flint.

Back then, Seraphina had once set aside her dream of pursuing art to become a Luna worthy of standing beside Kaden. Now, she would only live for herself.

"Shall I take you to the movies this afternoon, Sera? There's a new comedy playing, and it should cheer you up."

"This afternoon? Aren't you supposed to be occupied with pack duties?"

"Didn't I promise that we'd have the whole day together? I'm a man of my word. I don't break my promises."

The next moment, his phone rang. He was about to refuse the call, only to stop short when he glanced at the caller ID.

Seraphina watched as his expression shifted from annoyance to distress.

She grinned. "Just take it. Duty calls."

Kaden replied, "I'll be quick. I'll be back in five."

"Sure."

As Kaden headed out with his phone in hand, Seraphina called him back. "You can answer the call here. I don't follow the pack business, so there's no chance I'll let anything slip."

He stopped in his tracks awkwardly.

After a brief hesitation, Kaden took the call with furrowed brows. "Didn't I tell you not to call me today? What on earth is the emergency?"

It was unclear what was said on the other end of the line.

However, Seraphina could make out mournful cries of a she-wolf.

Kaden spoke cautiously in Seraphina's presence, "I understand. I'll be there in a moment."

After the call, Kaden told Seraphina apologetically, "I need to sign off on an important document for the company, Sera. The council elder has arrived with the papers. He's in the lobby as we speak. I'll be back in no more than half an hour."

Seraphina gave a nod.

Kaden basically sprinted out of the consultation room.

The healer uttered with a smile, "Alpha Kaden only has eyes for you, Luna. He drops his responsibilities with the pack just to attend to you."

"Oh, really? Excuse me while I use the washroom." Seraphina smirked.

Out of the consultation room, Seraphina caught Kaden ditching the elevator to take the stairs down.

Sure enough, he went downstairs—to the pack's birthing center.

Buzz.

Her phone vibrated.

Lyra texted, "I'm terribly sorry, but the Alpha probably can't spend time with you today. All it took was one call for him to rush straight to me."