Elara stared at the insignificant injury and,to her own shock,let out a loud,hysterical laugh.
But as the laughter died in her throat,tears—hot,silent tears of final grief—began to fall.
Finally,Elara understood the unwritten Pack law.Ryder had made it ruthlessly clear that Lyra’s minor problems were always critical emergencies,while anything involving his Claimed Mate could wait—even the health of her Alpha Father.
Ryder,if he knew she came home to officially announce their separation,would he regret this dereliction?Would his Alpha core even feel the shame?She no longer expected an answer.
Just then,her comm-link pulsed.It was Elder Weston.Their relationship had grown stronger—a transactional bond forged in the cold,legal truth of her severance.
Elara answered.The Elder’s voice was lighter than before.“All the legal procedures are complete,Elara.You just have to endure one more cycle,and you will be completely free of the Claim.”
He paused for a significant moment before suggesting,“Perhaps we can meet at the border neutral zone for a meal?We could celebrate your escape from this sea of silent suffering.”
Elara smiled faintly,the first real,unburdened smile in cycles,as she told him from the clinic.“Let us wait until the severance decree is fully confirmed,Elder.Until then,the Alpha King still holds the title.”
After that,Elara hung up the comm-link and returned to the Healer’s Den ward.
Her Alpha Father had woken up.His face was still pale,showing the weakness of his spirit,but his eyes were particularly firm—the strength of a true Clan leader.
He held Elara’s hand,and in a hoarse but powerful voice,decreed,“Sever the bond,Elara.You must sever the bond with Ryder.”
Elara gently held her Father’s hand back and whispered,“Father,I have already initiated the decree.You do not need to trouble yourself.”
In the final cycle before the severance was legally binding,Ryder had been occupying Lyra’s new Den,assisting her with settling into her claimed territory,believing he would placate Elara once all the logistical distractions were handled.
Meanwhile,Elara spent her time with her parents.Looking at the white streaks in her Father’s coat and the lines of stress around her mother’s eyes,a sharp realization hit her.