Isabella's words cut into me like a blade. In my past life, her words had shattered my resolve, driving me into silence and surrender. But this time, I would not repeat the same mistake. "Cold and heartless?" I turned to face the pack. "No. I am simply fighting for my own future." Alpha Arthur's voice rumbled through the hall. "Elena, Victoria speaks with reason. You are too emotional now. This is not the time to make such a decision. I will grant you three days to reconsider-" "There's no need." I cut him off. "Alpha Arthur, my decision will not change. Liam is dead, and I will not sacrifice the rest of my life for a corpse." Victoria reeled as if struck, staggering back several steps. "You... how dare you speak of my son that way?" "I am only speaking the truth. If Liam truly loved me, he would never want my soul chained to endless suffering. He would want me to find happiness again." Liam's face darkened as he strode toward me. "Elena, you've gone too far!" "Too far?" I laughed coldly. "Tell me, where were you when Liam died on the battlefield?" His expression faltered, panic flashing in his eyes before anger smothered it. "I was commanding the rescue at the rear! If not for me, even Liam's body would have been lost!" "Is that so?" I gave him a pointed look, my voice laced with irony. "Then I suppose I should thank you... Jacob." Luna Victoria seized the moment, her voice sharp. "Elena, I will ask you one last time. Do you truly mean to betray the mate bond you shared with my son?" I met her gaze steadily. "I have betrayed nothing. The Moon Goddess herself decreed that when one mate dies, the other may choose to sever the bond. I am choosing life." Then I turned to Arthur. "Alpha, I request that my plea for a new mate be made openly before the pack." Liam's voice cracked in alarm. "You can't-!" Gasps rippled through the hall. Such a request was unheard of in wolf pack history. Arthur's face was solemn, but he nodded. "Elena, since this is your decision, I will honor it. However, the alliance between our two packs still stands. If you wish to choose a new mate, it must be from among our wolves."