Chapter 2 Anya hadn't even finished speaking when she shook her head . " I shouldn't have doubted you . The Luna would never do something like that . I must have overthought it . " Atticus's eyes went colder . He swept the memorial plaque off its stand and brought his heel down . The wood cracked . I screamed . " Atticus , are you trying to get yourself killed ? " That plaque anchored the last thread of his soul . With it shattered , his days were numbered . My panic surged hot and useless . He only let out a mirthless laugh , the corner of his mouth curling . " Cut the hocus - pocus , Seraphina . Tell me -what will it take for you to hand over the Luna title to Anya ? " My throat tightened . I forced out two words . " Break the mate bond . " Atticus's brow knotted . He rubbed at the vein beating at his temple . " You know my father's order . Unless ninety percent of Nightfall's pack members agree , we don't break the maté bond . You're boxing me in . " I pressed my lips together and found a weary smile . " And you're not boxing me in ? " He choked on that and said nothing . Anya cupped her rounded belly and spoke softly into his silence . " Alpha , my pup can't wait . We could meet the Elders tonight and ask . What if they say yes ? " After a long beat, Atticus pulled out his phone and told the butler to summon the pack . Half an hour later , he stood before everyone with Anya tucked under his arm and announced , " I'm going to break the mate bond with Seraphina . " Silence fell like a dropped curtain . Atticus's uncle Soren slammed his palm on the table so hard that coffee splashed over the rim , " Absolutely not ! If you break from Seraphina , it'll be over our dead bodies ! " Voices rose in agreement . " That's right ! Alpha , you're not a kid . How can you be so bewitched that you'd throw away your Luna ? " They shook their heads , furious , and stormed out . Rage flared in Atticus's face . He stabbed a finger at me . " What did you give them to buy them off ? Why else would they all take your side ? " Anya's eyes reddened . Her voice caught . " If the Luna won't allow it , then forget it . Worst case , we'll have the pup listed under her name , " Tears pattered onto the floor ; her shoulders trembled . Atticus pulled her tight and spoke like a vow . " Don't worry , Anya . I'll find a way . " Chapter 2 22 I lowered my gaze to hide the dull ache in my eyes and went upstairs . Before he died , Alpha Dorian charged me with one thing : as long as I remained Nightfall's Luna , I had to keep Atticus alive . Now the last wisp of his soul had scattered . I would have to make a stronger batch of Moonbinding incense to keep what was left of him alive . I took out my mother's incense grimoire . For three days and nights I didn't sleep , turning pages until I found the only method left - use my heart's blood as the catalyst . When I drove the three - inch silver needle into my chest , I did not cry . But when the Moonbinding incense balm in the bowl slowly thickened into a gel , my legs gave out and I folded to the floor , sobbing . Back then , Atticus swore to me he was only getting close to Anya to regain his sense of smell ; that she was a fool , and I was the one he truly loved . I believed him , like a fool , and wore the title of " the Luna they all laughed at . " Lost in the memory , I failed to notice when the crucible turned acrid with a scorched smell . A voice sounded at my back . " Luna , let me help . " I spun . Anya stood in the doorway and , in a quick , practiced motion , reached in to stir the balm . My pupils constricted . " Give it to me , " I snapped . She slipped away , a flicker of triumph in her eyes . A sharp crack split the air ; the mortar shattered to grit . " What are you doing ! " Fury surged up my ribs , wild and choking . Atticus rushed in at the sound . His first glance went to Anya's tear - bright eyes . " What happened ? " Anya held up a finger with a shallow nick and sobbed . " I only wanted to help the Luna , but I broke her things - and hurt myself . " Something raw twisted in Atticus's face . He rounded on me and roared , " How long are you going to keep this up , Seraphina ? "