Chapter 5

After hanging up, I stared out at the moonlight. That full moon had seen what Damian and I had, even on the darkest nights.

Was what we had real, or was it all in my head?

The doctor's clinic was on the edge of the city, tucked away in an oak forest. That's the werewolf way—even when living among humans, they stay connected to nature.

"It's not good." The old doctor took off his glasses, his expression grim. "The breaking of the mate bond has made your old injuries worse. Your right wrist... it took a bad hit from magic backlash a while back, almost crippled it. You only got some function back through sheer willpower."

I gave a bitter smile. That painful memory came flooding back.

"Can it be fixed?" I asked.

"Yes, but it'll take time and... energy from the other half of the bond."

I shook my head. "Then forget I asked."

After leaving the clinic, I got a call from the university. They confirmed I got a full scholarship to study at the 'Moontear Canyon' research center abroad.

Just as I was waiting for a ride, my mind a mess, a black SUV screeched to a halt in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing Jackson's annoying face. "Need a ride, 'former Covenant Guardian'?"

"No thanks." I turned and walked away. Jackson caught up. "So, I hear you're headed to Moontear Canyon? You know that's sacred ground for the wolves, right? It's not like just anyone can get in."

I stopped. "How'd you know I was going there?"

He grinned. "The pack has eyes and ears. We know your every move."

"Tell Damian to call off his dogs. My life's got nothing to do with him anymore."

Jackson suddenly got serious. "He didn't send me. Actually, he's in deep trouble. Things on the border have been heating up since you left. Two nearby packs are already making a play for Nightclaw territory."

I frowned. "So? What's that got to do with me?"

"Because the Moonstone is the only thing that can activate the old tribal alliance!" he growled. "And you took the key to waking it up – your blood!"

I stared at him, shocked. "That's impossible. I gave the stone back to the Elders."

"Yeah, the stone's back, but it doesn't glow anymore!" Jackson gritted out. "The Elders say you're the only one who can make it work again."

I turned and hurried off. Jackson yelled after me, "You're really gonna be that heartless? Just stand by while your old pack goes to war?"

I didn't look back.

Back at my apartment, I found the door ajar. Someone had broken in.

I carefully pushed the door open. Damien was sitting on my couch, holding a photo – it was the only one we had together from our academy days.

"Breaking into someone's home is illegal, Alpha," I said, my voice cold.

Damien looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "The pack needs you."

"No, what the pack needs is a capable Alpha."

He shot to his feet. "You think leaving cuts everything off? Your wrist is killing you, isn't it? Me too! Every night, it's like someone's stabbing me in the chest!"

Seeing him in pain, my heart softened a little, but then I remembered all the past humiliations and hardened myself again. "It's just temporary. The link will fade over time."

"Will it really?" He moved closer. "Do you honestly believe a fated mate bond can just disappear?"

I avoided his eyes. "We'll both find our own ways."

Suddenly, he grabbed my injured wrist. I sucked in a sharp breath. Damien let go instantly, his face a mix of emotions. "Your wound... it hasn't healed?"

"It'll never fully heal.""I said, keeping my voice steady."

He went pale. "Is this about... what happened three years ago? When you saved me...?"

I didn't answer. My mind flashed back three years, to that fight that nearly cost me my life. Damian had wandered into a rival pack's off-limits territory. I'd charged in, not thinking twice, to get him out. An enemy Alpha’s magic ripped my right wrist apart.

That day, lying in a pool of my own blood, I asked him, "Damian, do you believe in fate?"

Back then, he’d clung to me, tears in his eyes. "I do, I do! Elara, don't leave me!"

How ironic.

"You should go," I said, pointing to the door.

But Damian didn't budge. "I looked into Moontear Canyon. They're incredibly strict about who they accept as researchers. How did you pull it off?"

I gave a cold laugh. "Maybe I'm just more capable than you thought?"

"Or someone's helping you," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Someone's using you against the Nightclaw pack."

I was so mad I actually laughed. "Your ego is disgusting! Does every single decision I make have to be about you?"

Damian suddenly grabbed my shoulders. "Elara, come back. We can start over. I'll tell everyone I was wrong, announce that you're the only one for me."

I shook him off. "It's too late."

"Why?" he hissed. "Is it because of someone else? The one who helped you get into Moontear Canyon?"

"You—" I was shaking with anger.

A dangerous glint flashed in Damian's eyes. "Tell me, Elara. All that stuff you worked so hard for... you're just going to throw it all away? Sounds like this new guy made you a pretty sweet deal. Spill it. This new... backer... of yours, do they 'appreciate' you like Alaric did?"

The words were barely out of his mouth when my hand cracked across his face.

"Damian, watch your mouth!" I trembled with fury.

Shock flashed in his eyes, then a deeper anger. "Hit a nerve, did I? Angry I called you out on your dirty little secret? You think no one knows about your disgusting deals with Alaric?"

I was about to snap back, but he shoved me hard. So hard I slammed into the wall, my right wrist hitting it first.

A sharp pain shot through me like electricity.

Damian froze, watching me curled up on the floor, clutching my wrist. "Elara... I didn't mean to..."

I looked up, my eyes filled with cold hatred. "Get out."He tried to get closer, and I just screamed, "Get out!"

Damian finally turned and left, saying, "One day you'll understand. Everything I've done, it's all been to protect you."

Once the door shut, I just fell apart. Tears streamed down my face.

The pain in my wrist, the ache in my heart, and all those memories I couldn't even put into words... it was all just too much.

My phone rang. Unknown number. I wiped my tears and answered.

"Miss Arana?" An unfamiliar woman's voice. "This is Professor Elena from Moonglade Ravine. We've heard someone's trying to stop you from coming to the research center. Do you need us to send someone to protect you?"

I froze. "Who... who's trying to stop me?"

Silence on the line for a moment. "The Alpha of the Nightclaw. He's pressuring the council, claiming you stole tribal secrets and shouldn't be allowed into the sacred grounds."

Damian...

"I don't need protection," I said, gritting my teeth. "But I need to get out of here. The sooner the better."

"Understood. I'll arrange the earliest portal. Get your things ready."

After hanging up, I looked around my trashed apartment. My mind was made up.

So, Damian wants to stop me from getting my fresh start?

Well, he better get ready for a whole new Elara, one who's completely done with him.