Chapter 20 : Shattered Bonds Chapter 20 : Shattered Bonds ( Samantha's POV ) I sat at my vanity , carefully applying moonlight herb salve to the cut on my palm . The cooling sensation brought immediate relief , but did nothing for the ache in my chest . Ethan hovered in the doorway , his reflection visible in my mirror . " Let me help you , " he offered , taking a step forward . I met his eyes in the mirror . " I don't need your help . Not anymore . " His face fell , but I hardened my heart against the familiar pang of guilt . For too long , I'd prioritized his feelings over my own . " Sam- " " Don't call me that ," I interrupted , setting the salve aside and rising from my seat . I moved to my closet , selecting a midnight blue dress with subtle silver accents that I'd purchased during my last shopping trip with Hector . The fabric was luxurious against my skin as I slipped it on , a reminder that I could still appreciate beautiful things without Ethan's influence . " Where are you going ? " Ethan asked , his voice tight with barely controlled emotion . I applied a touch of lip color , meeting my own eyes in the mirror . The woman staring back at me looked stronger than I felt . " Silverclaw Law Firm ," I replied calmly , turning to face him . " To discuss our divorce agreement . " His face paled . " Sam - Samantha , please . We can work through this . " I shook my head , gathering my purse and car keys . " I don't want our years together to end in animosity , Ethan . " " Then don't let them ," he pleaded , stepping into my path . " Stay . Talk to me . " I sidestepped him with practiced ease . " I hope we can remain on civil terms . For both our sakes . " The desperation in his eyes nearly broke my resolve , but I remembered the contract with Rebecca , the roses at Golden Sands Cove , the months of lies . " I'll be back later to collect some of my things , " I added , my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me . I walked past him , my head held high , refusing to look back even when I heard what sounded suspiciously like a sob . The sound followed me down the stairs and out the front door . Only when I was safely in my car , pulling away from Blackwood Manor , did I allow a single tear to fall . ( Ethan's POV ) I watched Samantha's car disappear down the driveway , feeling as though she was taking my heart with her . The emptiness of the house pressed in around me , suffocating in its silence . My wolf howled in anguish , urging me to chase after her , to bring her back by any means necessary . I tamped down the primal instinct with effort . Forcing myself to move , I returned to the living room where crystal shards still littered the floor . I knelt , carefully picking up < Chapter 20 : Shattered Bonds +15 Pondssy the larger pieces , remembering how Samantha had threatened my mother with one . The thought brought an unexpected smile to my lips . My mate had always possessed a fiery spirit beneath her gentle exterior . It was one of the things I'd fallen in love with . But somewhere along the way , I'd started trying to cage that fire rather than nurture it . " You fool , " I muttered to myself , depositing the shards in a waste bin . My phone buzzed with a message from James : " Rebecca Taylor is asking about moving her things to Moonlight Manor . Orders ? " Rage flared hot and bright within me . Rebecca . The woman who had started this downward spiral with her manipulations and schemes . I texted back a terse reply : " Keep her where she is . I'm coming . " Twenty minutes later , I pulled up to the small cottage where Rebecca had been staying . The guards stationed outside straightened as I approached , their expressions carefully neutral . " Wait here , " I ordered , not bothering to acknowledge their salutes . ntered without knocking , finding Rebecca arranging flowers in a vase - blood - red roses that reminded me of the ones en Samantha on our first anniversary . rned with a practiced smile that faltered when she saw my expression . Ethan ," she breathed , one hand moving to her still - flat stomach . " I wasn't expecting you . " " Clearly , " I replied coldly , taking in the half - packed suitcases scattered around the living room . " Going somewhere ? " She flushed , her eyes darting nervously . " I thought … Your mother said I would be moving to Moonlight Manor today . " " My mother ," I repeated , the words like acid on my tongue . " Of course she did . " Rebecca took a hesitant step toward me . " Is something wrong ? " I laughed , the sound harsh and unnatural even to my own ears . " Did you think I wouldn't figure it out ? The way you copy Samantha's mannerisms ? Her favorite foods ? Even the way she tilts her head when she's listening? " Her face paled . " I don't know what you mean . " " Don't insult my intelligence , " I snapped . " You orchestrated that scene at Golden Sands Cove , didn't you ? Made sure Samantha would see us together . " Rebecca's expression hardened , dropping the pretense . " She needed to understand her place . She's barren , Ethan . I'm giving you what she couldn't . " " You manipulated my mother and sister , " I continued , advancing slowly . " Promised them status and influence once you replaced Samantha . " " They approached me , " she countered , chin lifting defiantly . " They saw what you couldn't - that I'm better suited to be your Luna . " Rage boiled over . With a sweep of my arm , I sent the vase of roses crashing to the floor . Water and petals splattered across the hardwood , the crystal vase shattering into jagged pieces . Rebecca flinched , taking a step back . " Ethan , please . Think of the baby . " I bent down , picking up a particularly sharp crystal shard . " The baby is the only reason you're still breathing . " Fear flashed in her eyes as I approached , the shard glinting in my hand . " What are you doing ? " C 17 < Chapter 20 Shattered Bonds 15 Puntos " Let me make something perfectly clear , " I said , my voice dangerously soft . " I don't care about you . I care about my child . " Before she could react , I slashed the crystal across her cheek , leaving a thin red line that immediately began to well with blood . She cried out , hand flying to her face . " You're insane ! " " If you ever try to replace Samantha again , " I continued as if she hadn't spoken , " I will make that cut look like a caress . " Tears mixed with blood on her cheek . " You can't do this . We had an agreement ! " " Yes , we did ," I agreed , tossing the crystal shard aside . " A surrogate agreement . Not a replacement Luna agreement . " I pulled out my phone , sending a quick text to James . " My guards will be here in five minutes to move your things back to your Rented Cottage . " " But Margaret said- " My mother doesn't make decisions for the Blackwood Pack , " I interrupted coldly . " I do . And I've decided your access to pack resources will be restricted to what's necessary for my child's health ." Rebecca's eyes narrowed despite her fear . " You can't just discard me like this . " " I can , and I am . " I stepped closer , forcing her to back against the wall . " Remember our contract , Rebecca . You're carrying my heir . Nothing more . " My voice dropped to a whisper as I leaned in , making sure she understood every word . " If anything happens to my child , I will tear you apart with my bare hands . Are we clear ? " She nodded , trembling visibly now . " Good , " I said , straightening and adjusting my cuffs . " The doctor will visit weekly to check on my heir's progress . You will follow every instruction to the letter . " I turned to leave , pausing at the door . " And Rebecca ? If I ever catch you wearing Samantha's perfume again , that cut on your cheek will be the least of your concerns ." I walked out , leaving her clutching her bleeding face , surrounded by shattered crystal and ruined roses . 2