When The Moonstones Meant Nothing

Even if I hadn't found their late-night mind-links, he would have found another excuse to be with her.

After their last "research" trip, it was the same old routine—eating together, drinking, sparring on the training grounds. But something between them had shifted. I could feel it.

None of that mattered anymore.

Our five-year bond was over.

This farce had dragged on long enough.

I was the last one to leave the office that night, finishing the analysis on that patrol report. I glanced at my phone—Liana had been busy.

A high-end private club in the city. Dim lighting. Two glasses of red wine. Ryker, impeccably dressed, was leaning in to whisper something in Liana's ear while she laughed so hard she nearly fell into his arms. The next photo showed them kissing, lost in their own world.

The caption read: "An Alpha's kiss must taste sweeter."

The comment section was flooded with heart emojis and fawning from pack members. A few uninformed members from vassal families even asked when the bonding ceremony was. Ryker's only reply was three dots. Liana followed up with a winking emoji.

No clarification. Never any clarification.

But this time, I didn't explode. There were no furious calls, no lectures from him about my "overreaction."

I just sent him a quick message: "Report analysis is done." I left the files in his study, stoked the fire in the fireplace as he'd requested, and then drove home.

The moment I walked in the door, my phone rang. Ryker's number.

I answered, but it wasn't him.

"Oliva, it's Liana. Thanks for your help on the project. I'll treat you to dinner sometime." Her voice was sickly sweet.

Before I could reply, Ryker cut in. "You don't need to thank her. It's her duty as a member of this pack."

Liana cooed, "Alpha, she's your mate-to-be. Can't you be a little nicer to her?"

They sounded like a couple.

A soft laugh escaped me.

The same Ryker who used to fly into a rage if I so much as glanced at his phone was now letting Liana use it like it was her own.

Honestly? I felt strangely calm.

Things that once would have shattered my world now seemed utterly insignificant.

They bantered for a moment longer before Ryker finally remembered I was still on the line. "I'll be back soon. Don't wait up—get some rest."

Then he hung up.

His "soon" usually meant four or five hours. I used to pace anxiously, sick with worry.

This time, I couldn't be bothered.

I walked into the study and gazed at the plane ticket to Sterling Harbor on the desk.

Not long ago, while Ryker and Liana were at the Werewolf Summit, I had quietly submitted my application to sever our bond. Ryker, too preoccupied, had stamped it with his Alpha's seal without a second glance.

Three more days.

Once the handover was complete, I would be gone from this pack for good.

I paused, then called Professor Alistair Finch, my former research advisor who now worked at a top werewolf genetics research institute in Sterling Harbor.

Right after graduation, I had landed a top-tier position there. But Ryker said he needed my help to grow his pack, and like a fool, I dropped everything and ran back to this valley. Professor Finch had warned me against it. I didn't listen.

Looking back now... what an idiot I'd been.

Feelings change. A career will never betray you.

When the call connected, I explained my situation, bracing for a lecture. Instead, Professor Finch just sighed.

"I'd heard rumors... and was debating whether I should call you. But this time... are you certain?"

"I'm sure. The paperwork for my departure has already been processed."