Chapter 2 002

Something old and forgotten stirred inside Laura's chest. The warrior she had buried years ago clawed to break free, scratching at her insides with growing fury. Her wolf, once quiet and yielding, now howled with a rage that shook her to her core.

Fight back! Fight back NOW! Let me tear into the bastard!

But the chains of years spent in submission weighed heavy on her shoulders. She had played the perfect Luna for so long. She had been silent, dutiful and never questioning. The role had now become a cage she had built around herself.

Her hands shook as she stared at Kieran, his arm wrapped tightly around Elise's waist, his smug smile cutting into Laura's soul like a knife.

"Is this what I deserve?" Laura found her voice at last, though it emerged softer than she wanted. "After everything I gave up for you?"

Kieran's eyes narrowed. The pack hall grew so quiet she could hear the crackling of the hearth fire.

"You gave up nothing I didn't ask you to give," he said coldly, his voice filling the silent hall. "A true Luna would have proven her worth. A true Luna would have given me children."

Elise's laughter rang. "Poor, poor Laura," she purred, pressing herself closer to Kieran, her boobs squished against his chest as she continued with cruel delight. "The discarded Luna. Everyone knew this day would come. You knew this day would come."

Discarded Luna.

The words bounced around in Laura's head, each echo feeding a fire she thought had died long ago.

Her wolf pushed harder against her skin, no longer willing to be silenced.

"Discarded?" Laura repeated, her voice growing stronger. She stepped forward, hearing the sharp intake of breath from those around her. "You think you can throw me away like I'm nothing?"

Kieran's face darkened. "Watch yourself, Laura. You may be Luna in name, but remember who holds the power here."

"No." The word slipped out before she could catch it.

The hall went dead quiet.

"What did you say?" Kieran growled, his eyes flashing golden with his wolf.

Laura stood tall, feeling something snap free inside her, something wild and strong. "I said no. I will not be thrown away. I will not be replaced."

She took another step forward, and for the first time in years, she didn't shrink when he glared at her.

"You want to choose her? Fine. But you don't get to keep me too, you fucking cunt."

Kieran's face twisted with anger. "You forget your place!"

"My place?" Laura felt her lips curl into a smile that felt strange on her face. "My place was at your side, as your equal. But you never saw me that way, did you? I was just something you owned. A baby-maker who failed at her one job."

She could feel it now, the bond between them. It had once felt warm and safe. Now it felt like a rope around her neck.

"I, Laura Ravenwood, reject you, Kieran Silver, as my mate."

The words fell from her lips, each one pointing to a new path she couldn't see but was ready to walk.

For a breath, nothing happened. Then a pain so sharp she gasped out loud tore through her chest. The mate bond broke with a snap, the tie that had bound them for years shattering into pieces.

Laura couldn't hold back her scream as she fell to her knees. It felt like someone had ripped her heart out with bare hands. She grabbed at her chest, tears running down her face.

Through the hurt, she heard Kieran laugh.

"Foolish girl," he sneered, looking down at her crumpled body. "What have you done? You've given yourself a death sentence. The pain will eat you alive. You'll never live without me."

Elise's happy giggle joined his cruel laughter. "Look at her! She's so sad!"

Laura pressed her hands against the cold stone floor, fighting to stay awake through the waves of pain. Her sight blurred, darkness creeping in from the sides.

But something else burned inside her too and it was not just pain, but a stubborn will to live. A spark that wouldn't die.

With every bit of strength left in her body, Laura pushed herself up. Her legs shook badly but she forced herself to stand. Blood dripped from her nose, and she could taste it on her lips.

Every pack member watched in shocked silence as she stumbled toward the door, each step a stand against the pain trying to tear her apart.

Kieran called after her, his voice mixed with laughter and shock. "Where do you think you're going? You're as good as dead!"

Laura stopped at the huge doorway, one hand on the frame to hold herself up. She turned her head, meeting his eyes one last time.

"Watch me," she whispered, the words barely a breath but somehow filling the hall, reaching every ear in the room.

Then she pushed through the doors and stepped into the night, leaving behind all she had known-and taking the first step toward becoming something none of them could imagine.