---- Chapter 2 I grabbed that moon-silk robe, the one that held ninety-nine hopes and disappointments, slashed it viciously with my dagger, and then hurled it into the roaring bonfire. The flames devoured the white silk, just like they devoured the last of my feelings for Kaelen. Everyone was stunned, staring open-mouthed at my symbolic act of breaking things off. And I just felt a relief I'd never known before. Back in my tent, I didn't sleep all night. Kaelen spent the night with his precious Seraphina, and the pain from the mate bond burned through me all night long. The moment the first sunlight streamed into the tent, I was up and packing. Everything was ready. ---- Five years ago, when I left the Moonshadow Palace, giving up my title as princess just to find true love, my father had warned me that the world outside wasn't as wonderful as I imagined. But I stubbornly believed that the love of a farted mate would conquer all. I still remembered the day I first met Kaelen. He'd walked out of the forest and bumped right into me. My whole body felt like it was pulled by an invisible force, my heart pounded like crazy, and my blood boiled in my veins. This was the fated mate connection, stronger than any legend described. And just like that, we fell in love. In the beginning, he knew every little thing about me. I was afraid of thunder, and he'd hold me tight every rainy night. I liked to pick up unusual little stones when I walked, and he'd collect the ---- most beautiful gems for me. But now, he gave all his attention to Seraphina. Looking at those gems, now worthless to me, I tossed them out. Then, I got ready to go before the elders and formally state my intention to leave. As I passed the pack square, a few young werewolves were gathered around the "Echo Stone "-the Blackrock pack's version of social media, a special stone that could record and play images. "Look, Seraphina posted a new image!" a girl shouted excitedly. On the Echo Stone, Seraphina's image was crystal clear. She was wearing Kaelen's Alpha armor, snuggled up to Kaelen under the moonlight. Her voice was sickeningly sweet: "'Kaelen said the ceremony was too much fuss, and he'd rather patrol the territory with me. ---- Teehee, he said he loves protecting me most of all. " The young wolves saw me and immediately stopped their snickering, scattering in a panic. I felt sick to my stomach, a cramp seizing me. But none of that mattered anymore. I took out my silver staff, and strode resolutely towards the Elder's Council Hall. It was time to put an end to all of this. "Luna-to-be?" one elder asked, confused. "Tam not your Luna," my voice was calm and clear. "I never was." The elders looked at each other. I walked to the center of the council table. "I, Lyra, Princess of the Moonshadow Realm, hereby renounce my fated mate bond with Kaelen