Chapter 2

Thalia's POV

Marcus turned to face me, his eyes pleading. "What are your conditions, Thalia? Tell me what you need."

"Breaking a mate bond isn't like canceling a dinner reservation, Marcus," I said, keeping my voice steady and matter-of-fact. "The process is incredibly painful, and there are... consequences."

"What kind of consequences?" Marcus's brow furrowed.

I shifted in my chair, making sure to look directly at Marcus when I answered. "The physical pain is unbearable, it feels like your soul is being torn in half. But that's not even the worst part." I paused, letting worry creep into my expression. "What if you don't want me to be your Luna anymore?"

Marcus's face went pale. "That won't happen—"

"I cannot believe your word alone!" I cut him off sharply.

"So what do you want?" Marcus asked again.

"I want all the territory and assets I brought to this pack when we mated," I said calmly. "Every acre of land, every business, every investment. All of it transferred back to my name."

Roland let out a sharp breath. "That's... significant—"

"And," I continued, cutting him off, "I want half of Blackstone Pack's remaining territory and assets as compensation for the pain and risk I'm taking."

The room fell into complete silence. Marcus stared at me, while Roland's mouth actually fell open. Even Freya lifted her head from the sofa, her eyes wide with shock.

"That's impossible!" Roland exploded, stepping forward. "That's half our pack's wealth! You can't be serious!"

I raised an eyebrow, maintaining my calm exterior even as satisfaction poured through me. "I'm completely serious. Breaking a fated mate bond will cause me tremendous suffering, and I lose my title to be Luna, I need security. This is my price."

Marcus finally found his voice. "Thalia, that's... that's insane. We can't agree to that."

I tilted my head, studying his face with fake confusion. "I don't understand, Marcus. If you're planning to keep me as Luna after you save Freya, then technically all that territory and wealth would still belong to Blackstone Pack, wouldn't it? It would just be in my name instead of yours."

Marcus opened his mouth, then closed it again. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to process the logic.

"So what's the problem?" I pressed on, my voice getting slightly sharper. "Unless... you're lying to me?" I let hurt creep into my expression. "Are you planning to abandon me after I help you save her?"

"No!" Marcus said quickly. "Of course not, I would never—"

"Then what's the issue?" I demanded, standing up and crossing my arms. "If I'm going to remain Luna, if I'm going to remain part of this pack, then what difference does it make whose name is on the paperwork?"

The silence stretched between us again. I could see Marcus struggling, caught between his promise to keep me as Luna and the reality of what I was asking.

"Marcus," Freya's weak voice drifted from the sofa, "please. The pain is getting worse."

Such perfect timing. I had to admire her dedication to the role.

I let my expression soften just slightly. "I'm not trying to be unreasonable, Marcus. But I need to protect myself. If you truly mean what you've said about keeping me as Luna, then this shouldn't be a problem."

After what felt like an eternity, Marcus finally spoke. "Fine," he said, his voice hoarse. "Fine. If that's what it takes."

Roland spun around to face him. "Marcus, you can't—"

"It's done," Marcus said firmly, though I could see the pain in his eyes. "She's right. If she stays Luna, it doesn't matter."

"Good," I said, "But I want it documented. Properly."

"What do you mean?" Roland asked suspiciously.

"I mean I want this agreement witnessed and sealed by the Elder Council. The Western Territory Council has representatives from multiple packs, their word carries weight throughout the region."

Marcus's eyes widened. "Thalia, that's not necessary—"

"It absolutely is necessary." I stepped closer to him, meeting his gaze directly. "If I'm risking everything to help you save your precious Freya, then I want legal protection. The Elder Council will ensure our agreement is binding."

The thought of dragging their pack's private business before the Elder Council clearly horrified both Marcus and Roland. The Western Territory Council was composed of the most respected Alphas in the region, having to explain this situation to them would be humiliating.

Marcus looked over at Freya, who had closed her eyes and was breathing heavily. The sight of her apparent suffering broke whatever resolve he had left.

"All right," he said. "We'll go to the Council."

The Elder Council's meeting hall was exactly as imposing as I'd remembered. Ancient stone walls rose high above us, carved with symbols representing each pack in the Western Territory. Seven massive chairs sat arranged in a semicircle, each occupied by an Alpha whose authority was unquestioned.

This is really happening, I thought as we entered the hall. Marcus walked beside me, his jaw tight with tension, while Roland followed behind us.

Elder Alpha Harrison, a distinguished man, looked up from the documents his secretary had prepared. "Alpha Marcus Sterling," he said formally, "Luna Thalia Sterling. This is... highly unusual."

"Yes, sir," Marcus replied stiffly. "We appreciate the Council agreeing to witness this on such short notice."

"The circumstances you described were quite compelling," Elder Alpha Adams observed from his seat. "Though I confess, I've never been asked to oversee a mate bond dissolution before."

"Let's review the terms," Elder Alpha Harrison said, consulting his notes. "Luna Thalia Sterling will voluntarily reject her fated mate bond with Alpha Marcus Sterling. In exchange, all territory and assets she brought to Blackstone pack will be returned to her personal ownership, plus fifty percent of Blackstone pack's remaining assets as compensation. Is this correct?"

"Yes," I said clearly.

"And you, Alpha Sterling, agree to these terms?"

Marcus hesitated for just a moment. "Yes," he said finally.

Elder Alpha Morrison leaned forward in his chair. "Son, I need to ask, are you certain about this?"

"I understand," Marcus replied, though his voice was barely steady.

"Very well," Elder Alpha Harrison said. "The agreement is witnessed and sealed by this Council. Luna Thalia, you may proceed when ready."

I turned to face Marcus, and for just a moment, I let myself remember what we used to have. The way he used to look at me like I was his entire world. The way his touch used to make my heart race. The way I used to believe we'd be together forever.

But that was before Freya.

I took a deep breath and spoke the words that would change everything: "I, Thalia Sterling, reject you, Marcus Sterling, as my mate and Alpha."

The pain hit immediately, like lightning striking every nerve in my body simultaneously. I gasped and stumbled backward, my hands clutching at my chest as the mate bond began to tear apart. It felt like my soul was being ripped in half, exactly as I'd described to Marcus earlier.

But underneath the physical agony, I felt something else, relief.

Marcus collapsed to his knees, a harsh cry escaping his lips as the bond broke from his end too.

I stayed on my feet, somehow, even as waves of pain crashed over me. This is it, I thought through the haze of suffering. This is my freedom.

When the worst of it finally subsided, I found myself breathing heavily but still standing. Marcus was still on the ground, his face pale and his whole body shaking.

I looked down at him, this Alpha who had once been my entire world, and felt nothing but cold satisfaction.

This is just the first step, Marcus, I thought.