Matriarch Aurelia finished hosting the ceremony alone, holding the pup herself.
The next morning, I successfully obtained the Bond Severance decree.
My communication stone still held messages from Selene demanding I apologize.
I blocked her scent-signature and deleted every trace, then took the severance papers to the memorial grounds to see my Noah.
Half a moon cycle ago, I had already arranged for the keepers to erect his rune-stone.
Looking at the carved words—Beloved Pup Noah Frostclaw—grief flooded through me without end.
I opened my mouth, about to speak to him.
Behind me came Selene's voice.
"I knew you'd come here. You always came to see the pup whenever you were angry before. But yesterday you went too far. In front of everyone—"
Before she could finish, Dorian let out a startled cry.
"Sister-mate, your bonded actually gave that dead pup the same name as our living one!"
"Brother, even if you didn't want that pup, you were still going to be his father. Why would you curse him to an early death by using the same name?"
Selene frowned and stepped closer to read the rune-stone. She saw the name Noah Frostclaw carved into the ancient stone.
Her eyes moved downward. The inscription listed only one parent—Father: Kael Frostclaw. Her name was nowhere to be found.
The fact that the pup bore my bloodline name stirred something strange and unsettling within her.
But quickly, that unease dissolved under Dorian's indignant protests.
She fixed me with a furious stare.
"The pup's death is a wound in my heart too. But why did you make this decision without consulting me? Are you trying to curse your own nephew to death?"
"I haven't even confronted you about humiliating Dorian in front of the entire pack yesterday. Do you think just because I love you, I'll tolerate everything?"
"You have ten minutes. Order the memorial keepers to destroy this rune-stone immediately. Once I've chosen a proper name, we'll have a new one carved!"
I looked coldly at this female who had wept uncontrollably when our son died.
"And if I refuse?"
She froze, staring at me with disbelief.
After a long moment, heavy disappointment filled her amber eyes.
She raised her hand, and three Enforcers emerged from the carriage behind her.
"Kael Frostclaw, he was my pup. But Dorian's pup is also mine now. If you insist on doing this, then I have no choice but to dig up his grave!"