Beyond the Broken Mate Bond

Petrified, Kaden was quick to examine Seraphina. "What's wrong, Sera?"

Seraphina retched violently and took a long time to gather herself. She couldn't wrap her head around the matter.

Why would her Alpha, who once vowed his commitment to her before the Moon Goddess, betray their mate bond?

Surely, the wrath of the Moon Goddess meant something to him. Maybe Kaden believed his efforts and power were enough to keep the affair under wraps.

The evening breeze cleared Seraphina's head.

Kaden asked, "Are you alright, Sera? If you're unwell, I'll take you to the pack's healer right now."

"I'm fine. I might have eaten something funny at dinner."

"Come see me at the office tomorrow. We can grab a bite tomorrow."

Seraphina scoffed. She wondered if she was about to get a front-row tour of Kaden and Lyra's escapades on company grounds.

Out of nowhere, Seraphina was tempted to stir mischief.

"Sure, I'll go to the office with you. I'll keep you company while you work. We can have lunch and head home together once you're done for the day."

Caught off guard by her answer, Kaden could barely keep his face straight. "But my work schedule has been hectic lately. I might not be able to stay by your side the whole day."

"Don't let me keep you from business. I'll stick around in your office."

"Very well then."

Back in their residential villa, Kaden offered to draw the bath for Seraphina. Once inside the bathroom, he closed the door behind him for once.

Seraphina took the stairs down to the ground floor and sat back in the car. She started the engine, and the recent chat history popped up on the integrated screen.

Kaden: Change of plans. The office is a no-go tomorrow.

Kitty Lyra: Oh, that's disappointing.

Kaden: Don't feel down, kitty. It'll be a lot more thrilling when I take you on the rooftop terrace.

Kitty Lyra: Hehe. You're the best, Alpha.

Seraphina stepped into the bedroom as Kaden emerged from the bathroom. "The bath is ready for you, Sera. You should take a nice soak."

"I'll pass. I just want to lay my head to rest."

"Okay. Rest well. That reminds me. Can I open the gift you left on the table yet?"

Seraphina replied, "Wait a week before you unwrap it."

"Why do I have to wait for a week? I can't wait to see what my Luna has prepared for me."

"Well…"

It would take a week before Seraphina permanently broke the mate bond between them.

"You’ll understand the significance of the gift in about a week."

Kaden gave Seraphina a peck on the forehead. "You're the boss."

Shortly after six the next morning, Kaden's phone went off.

Kaden rejected the call before turning to hold Seraphina close. "Ignore it. Let's get a few more minutes in bed."

However, the ringing was relentless.

Kaden furrowed his brows in annoyance. "It's barely dawn, and the useless council members are already hounding me during these ungodly hours. Mark my words. I'm bound to kick these wolves out one of these days."

He declined the call again.

The third time the call rang, Kaden sprang out of bed in a huff. "Stay in bed, Sera. I'll see what this emergency is all about."

Seraphina murmured, "Okay."

She rolled, having her back toward him.

Kaden grabbed the phone and walked out of the bedroom.

Soon, he showed up outside the front door on the ground floor.

Dressed in a bright yellow uniform, a human deliveryman handed Kaden a package.

Kaden accepted the package, but when he returned to the room, his hands were empty.

Seraphina asked, "Is something serious going on in the pack?"

Kaden answered, "It's nothing critical, Sera. Don't worry. Rest easy while I make you breakfast."

Either out of guilt or concern for her delicate stomach, Kaden went all out to prepare an elaborate breakfast. There was milk, poached eggs, jam sandwiches, and her favorite oatmeal.

"You should be careful with what you eat. I'm hiring a full-time chef to cook for you every day."

"That won't be necessary."

"Come on. Cooperate with me, or I won't be able to work with a peace of mind."

"Kaden, can I ask you a question?"

"Fire away."

Seraphina put down her cutlery and asked indifferently, "Do you really think the curse for breaking a mate bond in the pack is true?"

Kaden pulled a look of contempt. "That's punishment for the weak-minded. I'm not like these wolves. I'm faithful only to my Luna. I will love you, my one and only."

"Am I your one and only?"

"That's right."

"What if you fall for another she-wolf?"

"In that case, let Moon Goddess cast me out, take my powers away, and leave me to howl in eternal solitude."

Seraphina snickered cynically. "Bold words. Aren't you worried they'll come back to bite you?

"I speak from my heart. Why should I be scared?" Kaden uttered, "You should have faith in our mate bond, Sera."

Seraphina simply replied, "Dig in."

"Are you still doubting me? Do I have to rip my heart out of my chest to prove myself to you?"

"You've got someone waiting for you at the office. You mustn't be late."

Feeling assured, Kaden took a seat across from Seraphina. "Let them wait. They can't do anything right. I'll get rid of them sooner or later."

"Are you sure you want to get rid of her?" Seraphina singled out a singular pronoun rather than the plural form.

There was no telling whether Kaden caught onto the difference, but he responded, "Of course. You're the only one I can never let go of."