Chapter 4

Kaitlin's POV

Their numbers were few, so I shifted and charged into the fray.

I was endlessly grateful for the combat training my foster parents gave me.

The bloody fight ended with deep gashes on my shoulder, arm, and waist-identical to the wounds Phillip took saving me years ago.

Blood dripped down my fur, but I gritted my teeth, hoisted him onto my back, and raced out of the forest to the tribe's camp.

At the tent, Rosalyn and the others froze, seeing me covered in blood.

I knelt, lowering Phillip to the ground, and forced out words. "Tell Phillip... I've repaid my debt."

Darkness swallowed my vision, and I collapsed.

When I opened my eyes, I lay in a clinic bed, my wounds cleaned and healed.

I asked immediately, "Where's the Alpha?"

Guided by an apprentice healer, I hurried to his room but stopped at the door, hearing his guards' voices. "Alpha, Rosalyn risked everything to save you. She really loves you!"

My hand froze on the door.

I fought the enemy patrol to drag him from the silver mine. Why was Rosalyn getting the credit?

Inside, Rosalyn spoke softly. "Phillip got trapped chasing a Silver-maned Moon Deer for me. I had to save him, but... I know you love Kaitlin. When the Ember Tribe kidnapped us, you rushed to save her without hesitation..."

"That's not true!" a guard interrupted urgently. "That kidnapping was part of the Alpha's plan!"

"What?" Rosalyn's voice rose.

"The Ember Tribe kept provoking us without crossing the line, so we couldn't act openly. Alpha Phillip arranged a fake Ember Tribe squad to kidnap you both. It forced your family to choose which daughter to save and gave us a reason to wage war. His injury was just part of the strategy to justify the fight. He didn't expect Kaitlin to agree to bond with him afterward. But Alpha Phillip always planned to end the mate bond soon. Right?"

After a brief silence, Phillip muttered a low "Yeah."

Bitterness flooded my mouth.

His life-risking rescue was just a ploy for tribal warfare.

I turned, left the clinic, and dialed my foster mother. Before I could speak, Madeline's voice burst through. "Sweetie, the private jet to pick you up is set. It arrives at Moonstone Tribe's outskirts by noon tomorrow."

I hung up, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

Learning the truth now was for the best.

I never owed Phillip anything. Once I left, we'd be done.

...

Twenty-four hours remained before my departure.

Before leaving, I went to the safe and filled out the mate bond dissolution form, a document exclusive to Alphas and Lunas. Once signed and submitted to the southern territory's Alpha King in Central City, I'd no longer be his Luna.

We never formed a true soulmate bond, so filing the form would sever our tie.

My foster parents, fearing I'd be mistreated in the south, secured properties for me across the southern and border tribes.

I headed to a diner to meet Jack, my foster mother's agent, to discuss managing those assets.

As I descended the stairs, I stumbled and nearly fell. Jack caught me.

Just as I steadied myself, a familiar voice rang out behind me.

"Well, isn't that our Luna? Clinging so tightly to another male wolf? Tch, a gray-furred one at that. Talk about low standards!"