Beyond the Broken Mate Bond

"I took it off."

"I crafted the ring as a symbol of our bond. Why did you remove it?"

Seraphina brushed Kaden off. "I haven't been feeling well lately. The ring doesn't fit right anymore."

With his grimace easing up, Kaden was back to smiling. "I'll take the ring to the altar for another round of blessing and resizing."

"It can wait."

"By the way, what's that on the table?" Kaden pointed at the obsidian jewelry box on the table, his expression filled with joy. "Is that for me, Sera?"

Seraphina nodded. "That's right."

The box contained a tiny piece of silver, devoid of body heat and spiritual essence. Seraphina had the token of their bond melted down to its core and sealed the remnants in the jewelry box.

Kaden was ecstatic. "What’s the special occasion that would make my dearest Luna go out of her way to get me a gift?"

Once again, Seraphina's heart sank to the pit of her stomach. "It's the anniversary of our mating ceremony today."

Kaden looked like he was in distress.

He tried to smooth things over with Seraphina in an almost pleading manner. "I'm sorry, Sera. Things have been overwhelming lately. Why don't we go out tonight? We should head to Moonspire Lake—"

"That's alright. I'm not in the mood."

"How about a trip up the mountain to watch the stars?"

"I'm tired. I want to go to bed."

Kaden ingratiatingly slipped his arms around Seraphina's waist from behind. "Come on, Sera. It's been a while since we had a stroll together. I can't shake the feeling that you've been distant. At this rate, I'm starting to think that you've fallen out of love with me."

Had she pulled away, though?

Kaden was the first to betray their bond. His heart was no longer Seraphina's, to begin with.

This time, Seraphina was determined to withdraw from their bond, reclaiming herself and everything she had given him.

Behind the wheel on their way out, Kaden chatted happily about the recent pack gossip.

Seraphina sat in the front passenger seat, her head facing the window in a bid to shut him out.

While fastening her seat belt earlier, she had fished out a female's stockings stuffed in the narrow gap of the passenger seat. The heavy stench of a she-wolf lingered in the fabric.

Seraphina quickly slipped the stockings back into the gap, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Now that her mind was set on leaving, Seraphina didn't want to waste her breath with Kaden. She stood to gain nothing but pointless lies. Since she couldn't get the truth out of Kaden, she was done asking.

Once they arrived at the lake, Kaden got out and went to open the door for Seraphina. "Here we are, Sera."

Seraphina wasn't keen on the walk, but Moonspire Lake was their usual spot for a stroll ever since they mated. It was time to come full circle and finish where they had started.

"Oh, my Moon Goddess! Isn't that Alpha Kaden? He's the one who crafted the bond ring with his own hands."

"I remember him! He's the most devoted Alpha."

"He held his hand up to make sure the Luna doesn't bump her head on the car roof. That's so sweet of him!"

Kaden's phone rang.

He said apologetically, "You'll need to excuse me, Sera. Give me a minute while I take this call. It's pack business. I'll be right back."

"Do what you need to do."

"Stay right here. Don't go anywhere."

Gasps filled the air.

"The Alpha honestly spoils the Luna like she's a pup. He's worried that she might get lost on her own."

"He's so extra with the pampering."

The whole time, Seraphina stood by the lake, staring at the shimmering water surface under the night sky with a deadpanned face.

Kaden couldn't hide the smile on his face when he saw the caller ID.

It was a look of affection, sweetness, and cheekiness. There was no way that Kaden was engaged in pack business.

However, Seraphina lost the will to call him out.

Since it was chilly by the lake, she decided to wait in the car.

The car's display screen still showed Kaden's social account, which was synced to his mobile phone. As the messages popped up on the screen, the conversation played out right before Seraphina's eyes.

Kaden was texting someone under the name Kitty Lyra.

Kaden: Do you miss me already?

Kitty Lyra: The night feels empty without you, Alpha.

Kaden: We've been at it seven times today, and it's not enough, little kitty?

Kitty Lyra: Not at all. I want more, Alpha.

Kaden: Fine. Meet me in the office tomorrow. You'll get your wish.

Kitty Lyra: Hehe. Expect me in black silk stockings at work tomorrow.

The rest of the exchange between them became more explicit. The messages were filled with obscene language and intense flirting.

Feeling icy to the bone, Seraphina turned off the screen. She shuddered violently, either from the cold or rage, as her nails dug into the flesh of her palms.

Kaden was back about fifteen minutes later.

While slipping into the car, Kaden clutched his chest and let out a massive sigh. "You gave me quite a scare when I turned around and couldn't see you after the phone call. Thank the Moon Goddess that you're alright."

Too disgusted to look at his hypocritical face, Seraphina kept her head down and stared at her fingers.

"It was cold out there, so I came back into the car."

"Right, right. You should be wherever you feel comfortable."

Seraphina looked up out of the blue. Having read the messages between Kaden and Lyra, she was horrified by the implication of his words.

Kaden wanted her to be comfortable wherever she was.

Judging by the stockings tucked inside the gap of the passenger seat, Seraphina could only assume that the cheating couple had been intimate in this very seat.

Feeling sick to her stomach, Seraphina slammed the car door open and threw up.