Shattered Bonds
“Isabelle, I-‘
Karl’s face was drained of color. His lips moved, attempting an explanation, but no defense came forth.
The snow fell heavier, accumulating on his shoulders and in his unkempt hair.
“Do you remember what you promised during our first winter solstice together?” I asked.
Karl stared at me with hollow eyes, as if searching through distant memories.
I laughed softly, knowing he had forgotten long ago.
During our first winter solstice, Karl had spent his entire savings to reserve a private area in neutral territory for us.
I had never believed in eternal love, but when he appeared with wildflowers gathered from the mountainside, I began to imagine growing old together.
Karl had always been straightforward and serious–what humans might call a “no–nonsense” Alpha. I was drawn to his steadiness, though I never expected to become his mate.
That night, he knelt before me with surprising humility and vowed: “Isabelle, I swear by the Moon Goddess, my heart will belong only to you until my last breath. If I ever betray this vow, may the Goddess strike me down where I stand.”
Eight years later, he still lived, but his promise had withered long ago.
Karl raised his eyes, regret evident in his expression.
I recalled something and sighed with unexpected relief.
“At least you insisted on keeping our mating private. No one beyond you, me, and Natalie knows about our bond.”
“That simplifies matters considerably.”
Disbelief flooded Karl’s features.
“How can you speak so callously about our bond?”
“I only kept our mating private because the pack was unstable then. Now I can give you the ceremony you deserve. Return with me, and I’ll announce you as my Luna immediately.”
“It’s just a ceremony–have as many as you want.”
1/3
Shattered Bonds
+30 Bonus
I moved to enter my apartment, but Karl caught my arm, his grip firm but not painful.
“Come home, Isabelle. This territory is unfamiliar to you. I’ll arrange whatever you need when we return.”
My expression turned sardonic.
“Unfamiliar? Have you forgotten I spent three years studying in the Northern territories during university?”
“Did you think I couldn’t understand your conversations with Natalie on winter solstice night?”
Karl’s pupils contracted at this revelation, shock evident across his features.
“I forgot…”
“I didn’t mean those things. They were lies. You were pregnant, and I worried she might confront you, so I said whatever would keep her calm…”
I pulled away from his grasp impatiently.
“If everything is false, then what remains true?”
“Was your love false as well?”
Karl stood speechless, stunned by my question.
I seized the moment to retreat, but Karl’s desperate voice stopped me.
“Isabelle, we’ve been together for eight years. You carried my pup. Who else would accept you after being mated to an Alpha?”
My hand froze on the doorknob as I stared at the face I had loved for so long, now unrecognizable to me.
Seeing me hesitate, hope flickered in Karl’s eyes.
“Be reasonable. We can still work through this. I won’t abandon you.”
His gentle smile sent chills down my spine. I couldn’t reconcile this stranger with the Alpha I had once known.
I suppressed my disgust, prepared to expose his façade, when a familiar voice interrupted:
“What business do you have with my mate?”
