Leon’s POV

“You are both banished from this pack!” I roared. My chest was burning with anger.

“Never return. Not tomorrow. Not ever. If you dare set foot here again, you will be killed on sight.”

“Leon, please!” Maya dropped to her knees and grabbed my hand. “It’s not what you think. I still love you. Please…Please don’t do this to me. I beg you!”

“Love?” I pulled my hand away and pushed her to the ground.

“Don’t ever say that word to me again. I gave you everything. I trusted you. And you were in bed with my Gamma.”

“Alpha, please…” Jaxon tried to step forward.

“Shut up!” I snapped. “You were my brother, Jaxon. My right hand. And you betrayed me in the worst way. Both of you disgust me. Get out before I kill you with my bare hands.”

Maya cried, shaking her head. “I was weak… it was a mistake… Please, Leon, don’t send me away. I can’t survive without you.”

“Then die out there,” I said coldly. “Because you’re nothing to me now.”

“Alpha, I swear it was her…” Jaxon tried to defend himself.

“Not another word,” I growled, my wolf growling weakly inside me.

“Leave. Now.”

They stood, trembling. Maya sobbed and reached for me one last time. “Please, Leon…”

I shoved her back. “Get out!”

They finally walked out of the pack house, their heads low. Every step they took away from me felt like another dagger in my chest.

When the door closed, silence fell. Heavy, choking silence. I dropped into my chair, dragging my hands over my face. My chest ached, and my wolf whimpered inside me.

“You pushed them away,” my wolf muttered. “But you pushed her away too… Elena.”

I shut my eyes tightly. “Not now.”

But the voice stayed. Weak. Broken. “She was our mate… our real mate… and we rejected her.”

I slammed my fist against the table.

“Stop reminding me!”

The door creaked. An elder entered slowly. His eyes were full of judgment.

“Alpha Leon…”

“What is it?” I barked, not wanting to see anyone.

“You look empty,” the elder said quietly.

“Because you are empty. You rejected the one person who could have healed you. And now you are paying the price.”

I glared at him. “Don’t speak about her.”

“You cannot escape this truth,” he said. “You rejected your mate. And already, your wolf is weakening. I can hear it. Soon, you will weaken too.”

I clenched my jaw. “Get out.”

He shook his head.

“No. I will speak. If you want peace, if you want your strength, you must find her. You must bring her back. Or else you will lose everything. Even yourself.”

I looked away, swallowing hard.

“Do you hear me, Alpha?” the elder pressed. “Find her. Or regret for the rest of your life.”

“I don’t need advice from you,” I muttered.

He sighed. “I’ve said what must be said.” He turned and left, the door closing behind him.

Silence again. Only my wolf’s broken voice inside me.

“We need her,” my wolf whispered. “We are dying without her.”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, my eyes burning.

“I’ll get her back,” I said finally. My voice cracked, but I didn’t care.

“I will find Elena. And I won’t stop until she’s mine again.”

Elena’s POV

I looked at myself in the mirror. A gown. A soft gown, silk flowing around me. For the first time in my life, I didn’t look like a maid. I looked… like someone else. Almost like a Luna.

But my chest still hurts. His words still cut deep.

“Leave…I don't want to ever see you again”.

My wolf whimpered inside me. He’s not worth your tears, Elena.

I touched my face in the mirror and forced a little smile.

“I don’t even know who I am anymore.”

The door opened. Kael walked in, tall and confident, his eyes scanning me slowly. “Sweetheart.”

I turned quickly. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

He smirked. “Because you are mine. And because I like the way it makes you blush.”

“I do not blush,” I said quickly.

“Yes, you do,” he teased, stepping closer. His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “First time I’ve seen you smile, sweetheart. It suits you.”

“I wasn’t smiling,” I muttered.

“Yes, you were. And I’ll make sure you smile more.” His fingers caressed my cheek gently, and his eyes locked on mine.

My heart skipped. I froze. His face leaned closer, his lips just inches away.

“Kael…” I whispered, not sure what to do.

“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered back. “I’ll never hurt you. Not like he did.”

My chest tightened. Leon’s face flashed in my head. His rejection. His cold eyes. My eyes burned again, but I held it back.

Kael leaned closer, so close I could feel his breath. My lips parted slightly.

Then the door burst open.

“Alpha Kael!” A guard rushed in, bowing.

Kael turned sharply, his eyes dark. “What is it?”

The guard stammered. “We… We caught a spy. From the other pack.”

My eyes widened. “A spy?”

“Yes, my Lord. He claims he is from Leon’s pack.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. His voice dropped, cold and intimidating.

“Bring him in. Now.”

“Yes, my Lord.” The guard hurried out.

My chest pounded. Who could it be?

The door opened again, and two guards dragged someone inside. His face lifted, bruised but familiar.

My breath caught. “Ethan?”