Unclaimed Luna, 99 Rituals Forsaken

I stared into his eyes and saw the confidence there.

He was convinced. Convinced I was just being emotional, convinced I wouldn't actually leave him, convinced one dinner was all it would take to get me to change my mind.

That's how he saw me after five years together:

A girl who was easily soothed, someone with no real backbone.

"Fine," I agreed, much to everyone's surprise. "Tonight, at the Windwhisper Canyon Restaurant."

Kaelen nodded, satisfied, a flicker of triumph in his eyes. "I'll personally arrange the best table and food."

I turning to leave without another word.

Behind me, I clearly heard Kaelen say to the elders, "Don't worry, she just needs a little attention and reassurance. Women, you know how they are."

The elders' soft chuckles echoed in my ears.

What they didn't know was that I had already arranged everything. Tonight was goodbye for good.

Seven PM, at the Windwhisper Canyon Restaurant. I arrived in a simple white dress. Kaelen was already there waiting, and he'd changed into a formal Alpha suit.

"You're here," he said, standing up, a flash of happiness in his eyes, as if he'd completely forgotten our fight from earlier. " Look, those other 99 times, that was on me. I'm so sorry. Will you forgive me? And for the next ceremony, I was thinking we could…"

Just as I was about to speak, a familiar voice called from behind me: "Kaelen!"

Seraphina.

She wore a bright red dress, like a dancing flame, and rushed straight to Kaelen's side, linking her arm through his. "I heard there was a farewell dinner. I just had to come and say goodbye to Lyra."

I noticed she deliberately sat next to Kaelen—the seat traditionally reserved for the Luna. Even more ridiculous, Kaelen didn't stop her.

The waiters started bringing out the food: roasted fire-beast meat, honey-glazed berries, roasted root vegetables… all heavy meats and sweet dishes. Not a single thing I liked.

"Try this," Kaelen said, putting a fire-beast rib on my plate. "Seraphina said you'd definitely love this."

I looked at the greasy piece of meat on my plate and almost laughed. Because of my unique bloodline, I'd always preferred vegetarian food and light fish dishes. He used to know that.

"Thanks," I said, pushing the plate away. "I'm not very hungry."

Throughout the entire dinner, Kaelen's attention was almost entirely on Seraphina. He roared with laughter at every boring story she told. I was completely ignored, like a decoration at the table.

"Oh, right, Lyra," Kaelen finally turned to me, "About the next ceremony... what do you think about the next full moon...?"

Suddenly, Seraphina clutched her stomach, her face twisting in 'pain.' "Oh, my stomach hurts so much…"

"What's wrong?" Kaelen immediately asked, completely forgetting I was even there.

"Maybe I ate something bad at lunch…" she whimpered, leaning against Kaelen. "I feel awful…"

"I'll take you back," Kaelen said, standing up immediately. Then he remembered me and said awkwardly, "Lyra, you…"

"Go ahead," I said calmly. "Seraphina's health is more important."

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'll be back soon. "

I watched him help the 'frail' Seraphina out of the restaurant. She turned her head and gave me a smug smile.

I sat there quietly, watching them leave, my heart completely at peace.

Enough. His actions had given me all the answers.

Back at the tent, I quickly packed what I needed. Suddenly, Kaelen's voice came through the psychic link:

"Lyra, Seraphina needs me to look after her tonight, so I won't be back at the main tent. Once she's better, we'll plan the next ceremony properly. This time, I'll definitely make you my Luna!"

I gave a cold smirk, took out the ancient runestone from the Moonshadow Realm, and began to chant the spell to sever the link.

"No need," I replied through the link. "I've already left Blackrock territory with my people. Kaelen, our fated bond ends here. As the Moon Goddess is my witness, we will never meet again."

As the princess of the Moonshadow Realm, I had the right to use the royal family's ancient bond-severing technique.

As the last syllable fell, the runestone emitted a blinding silver light.. A sharp pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and endured it.

Just then, a piercing scream tore through the air from the distance.

I knew that was Kaelen, feeling the agony of our bond shattering.

As for me, being free from the bond for a while, I felt more liberated than I ever had.

"Let's go," I told my Moonshadow Guard, waiting in the shadows. I cast one last look towards Blackrock territory. "It's time to go home."