(Audrey’s POV)

I walked briskly down the corridor, trying to put distance between myself and Florian’s knowing smirk. His parting words about “star-crossed lovers” echoed in my ears, but as I turned another corner, I distinctly caught him muttering something about “lovebirds” as well.

I almost snorted. Lovebirds? As a wolf without a mate, that word had absolutely nothing to do with me now. Arthur had made his choice, and I had moved on.

The Shadowcrest territory den was enormous, muchrger than I’d anticipated. Corridors branched in multiple directions, each leading to wings that seemed to stretch endlessly. After wandering for nearly ten minutes, I had to admit I was lost.

“Excuse me,” I called out to a passing Beta, “could you direct me to the dining area?”

The Beta, a middle-aged wolf with neatly trimmed hair, paused and studied me with interest.

“Are you Healer Winter who the Elder has been mentioning since early this morning?” he asked, his eyes brightening with recognition.

I nodded, somewhat surprised that Elder Shadowcrest had been talking about me.

“The dining area is this way. Follow me,” he said, motioning for me to follow.

When we arrived, he immediately instructed the other wolves in the kitchen, “Prepare fresh venison for Healer Winter. Elder’s orders.”

Within minutes, a steaming te of venison was ced before me, the rich aroma making my stomach growl appreciatively.

“Thank you,” I said to the Beta, who gave me a respectful nod before departing.

I ate in silence, savoring the perfectly cooked meat. The Shadowcrest Pack certainly knew how to prepare a proper wolf’s meal, I’d give them that much.

I was halfway through when the pleasant atmosphere shattered.

“Audrey Winter,” Emma Shadowcrest’s sharp voice cut through the quiet dining area. “I’m warning you, stay away from my pack!”

I looked up calmly, setting down my fork with deliberate slowness.

“Good morning to you too, Emma,” I replied, keeping my voice level.

Her eyes shed dangerously as she approached my table. “Whatever your scheme is, stop trying to build a rtionship with my grandmother!”

I took a sip of water. “What scheme could I possibly have?”

“Don’t y innocent,” she hissed, leaning closer. “You’re trying to use my grandmother to get close to the Shadowcrest pack, hoping to entice Arthur again after your mate bond severance!”

The usation was so ridiculous that I couldn’t help butugh.

“Emma Shadowcrest,” I said, putting down my spoon and frowning, “I’m not like you. I still have some dignity.”

Being devoted was one thing, but being desperate and clingy like Emma was simply embarrassing for any self-respecting she-wolf.

Her face flushed with anger. “You’re behind what happened to me, aren’t you? The injuries I received-they match yours exactly!”

She leaned across the table, her wolf eyes gleaming. “Even though Florian Stormhowl covered for you, I know it was your doing.”

I arched an eyebrow. “And if it was? What do you n to do about it?”

To my surprise, her expression shifted to a sweet smile, so artificial it made my skin crawl.

“Arthur was very concerned about my injuries,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “He wanted to hunt you down for it, but I stopped him. I told him you weren’t worth the effort.”

Her words struck deeper than I wanted to admit. I believed her without question. After all, I’d seen this pattern before-Victoria Moonstone had once struck me during an argument and then used me of being cold-blooded when she deliberately caused her own miscarriage.

Of course Arthur would want to punish me severely for deliberately hurting his new chosen she-wolf, Emma Shadowcrest.

Despite the warm room, I felt ice-cold spreading through my veins. I stood up, pushing my chair back.

“Is that so? That’s nice. He is indeed a good Alpha.”

A good Alpha to Victoria, a good Alpha to Emma, but only an abyss of disappointment and betrayal for me.

Emma’s smile grew wider, more triumphant. “I will definitely form a mate bond with him. It’s only a matter of time.”

She tossed her hair back, an unnecessarily dramatic gesture. “By the way, I’m satisfied with the healing form drafts you sent me. Just make sure you don’t dy my mate marking ceremony with Arthur.”

Something in her tone made me reach for my phone. I opened the voice recorder app and held it up.

“Would you mind repeating what you just said?” I asked sweetly.

Emma looked confused butplied, obviously thinking she was somehow getting the upper hand.

After she finished, I nodded and continued, “Thank you. Now, about payment. The total cost for your custom healing form will be 5. 1 million in rare healing herbs contributions.”

Her eyes widenedically. “What?”

“You’ve paid 100, 000 inmon herbs online as a deposit,” I exined calmly. “The remaining 5 million should be paid in two installments of 2. 5 million each in rare healing herbs.”

“That’s absurd!” she sputtered. “You’re deliberately using that number to humiliate me!”

I smiled, enjoying her reaction perhaps more than I should have. “This is the actual price, based on the rare ingredients you specifically requested. Though I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to contribute more.”

Emma’s face contorted with rage. “You’ll regret this, Audrey Winter.”

I picked up my bag and turned to leave, tired of the conversation. As I walked away, I heard her mutter “rogue wolf” under her breath.

I clenched my fist but didn’t turn around. She wasn’t worth my energy. All I wanted was to leave this territory den and get back to my own life.

Unfortunately, that proved more difficult than expected. After several turns, I realized I waspletely lost in the maze-like structure of the Shadowcrest territory den.

I turned down another corridor, hoping to find an exit, when I found myself in front of a familiar-looking courtyard. It wasrge and clean, but had an uninhabited feel to it, as if no wolf had lived there for a long time.

Something about the space drew me in. Without quite knowing why, I stepped through the entrance.

The moment I entered, the door closed behind me with a soft click. Before I could react, a tall figure moved from the shadows and pinned me against the door.

The familiar Alpha scent enveloped me, leaving me nowhere to escape. I looked up in shock and met Arthur’s deep, ink-like wolf eyes. His fingers gripped my waist as his gaze turned tender and somehow possessive.

“Why did youe to the Shadowcrest pack territory?” he asked, his voice low and intense.

Anger red within me. “None of your business, Alpha Moonstone!”

I tried to struggle free, but couldn’t move against his Alpha strength. He stared down at me steadily.

“Has everything been going well these days? Has Emma Shadowcrest stopped bothering you?” he asked, genuine concern in his voice.

I looked at him mockingly. “You were ready to have me hunted down for her sake, what more could she do to me?”

Arthur fell silent, his hand tightening slightly on my waist as his brow furrowed. “You seem thinner recently.”

“I’m just losing weight to celebrate our mate bond severance and wee new possibilities,” I replied indifferently.

The truth was I’d been too busy working on establishing Winter’s Remedy to hunt or sleep properly, but saying that would sound like I was ying the victim, as if life without him was too difficult. I refused to give him that satisfaction.

His expression tightened, his wolf eyes darkening. “Celebrate? New possibilities?”

My irritation grew. “What else? You announced your mate marking ceremony with another she-wolf, you asked for our mate bond to be severed, and now what more do you want from me? Do you expect me to mourn and remain celibate forever?”

Arthur’s shoulders dropped slightly, a barely perceptible mncholy settling over him. “I’m not asking anything of you. It’s me, I’m the one who feels sad.”

I blinked in disbelief at his audacity. “Arthur Moonstone, stop saying such meaningless things. You were trifling with Victoria on your mind when we mated. Now that our bond is broken, the least you can do is disappearpletely from my domain, from my world.”

I needed time to recover from my wounds, to rebuild myself without his shadow looming over me.

Arthur tightened his arm around my waist, his gaze bing almost possessive. “Audrey, just wait a little longer for me. I promise I’ll fix everything.”

“Why should I wait for you?” I asked, confused and bitter. A smile spread across my lips, but there was no warmth in it. “Wait until you and Emma Shadowcrest don’t work out, so I can be your backup mate? Arthur Moonstone, am I that worthless in your eyes?”

His face showed a struggle before he pulled me into his embrace, resting his chin on top of my head. “Then don’t wait. I’ll send you to distant territories, alright? Audrey, listen to me, leave this region.”

A chill ran through me. “Is that also Emma Shadowcrest’s idea?”

I struggled desperately in his arms, though my efforts were futile against his Alpha strength. My wolf whimpered inside me as I nearly broke down.

“Arthur Moonstone, rest assured, as long as you both stay away from my territory, I absolutely won’t stand in your way!” I shouted, fighting back tears of frustration and hurt.