bChapter /b22b: /bThe Price of Compromise

Chapter 22: The Price of Compromise

David ckthorne stood frozen in shock upon hearing about his sister’s ns to sever her mate bond. His face went pale as the words sank in.

“Sever the bond?” he asked in disbelief, his voice cracking slightly.

He wondered if his recent troubles had caused the rift between Elena and Alpha Marcus. The guilt weighed heavily on his chest like a stone.

Patricia quickly interrupted, her voice sharp with panic. “David, their mating problems aren’t your fault.”

She secretly worried that if David learned the real reason – Marcus’s affair with Sophia – he might impulsively confront the other she–wolf. That would bring disaster upon their family.

Despite her love for her daughter, she saw the ckwood alliance as their only chance for social advancement. The pack hierarchy was unforgiving to those without connections..

Richard med his daughter entirely, his face flushing with anger. “She should be thankful she was chosen as Luna to the Shadow Moon Pack in the first ce!”

He grumbled about Elena’s ingratitude, viewing her as someone who didn’t appreciate their sacrifices. “We secured such a prestigious mating arrangement for her future.”

David remained silent, lost in thought about the situation. His sister’s unhappiness troubled him more than his parents‘ ambitions.

(Elena’s POV)

Meanwhile, I had been in aplex healing session since eight in the morning. The cranial reconstruction procedure finally ended in the afternoon.

Exhausted from channeling my healing abilities/for hours, I changed out of my healing robes. My shoulders

ached from the intensive work.

I discovered several missed calls on my phone – some from David and one from Marcus. I chose to return

only my brother’s call as I left the preparation chamber.

David’s urgent voice came through the phone immediately. “Elena, is it true about the mate bond severance? Did Marcus wrong you?”

I massaged my aching shoulders, trying to ease the tension. “David, Marcus and I simply have ipatible values. We want to separate.”

I deliberately kept the truth from my impulsive brother. If he knew the real reasons behind our failing bond, he

might act rashly.

To my surprise, David supported my decision without hesitation. “If you want to sever the bond, then sever it.”

His voice carried conviction that startled me. “Our parents are self–deceptive about the ckwood family’s regard for us.”

He acknowledged something I hadn’t expected him to understand. “They arranged a mating above our station

Chapter 22 bThe /bbPrice /bof C

bto /bbwolves /bbwho /bblook /bbdown /bbon us/b. bBond /bbseverance /bbmight /bbbe /bbthe /bbbetter /bbchoice/bb.” /b

bHis /bbunderstanding /btouched me deeply. I hadn’t expected the family’s b“/brebellious byouth/b” bto /bbbe /bbthe /bone bwho /bbtruly /bbprehended /bmy situation.

b“/bbFocus /bon your training and build your future through your own effortsb,/b” I encouraged himb. /bb“/bbDon’t /bblet /bbtheir /bstubborn attitudes influence you.”

David’s voice grew serious. “Elena, my recent fight was triggered by someone spreading malicious rumors about you.”

He exined how pack members had seen me visit his training grounds. “They were saying things about my sister after seeing you there. I was defending your honor as Luna.”

The irony wasn’t lost on either of us. He couldn’t Invoke Alpha Marcus’s protection since our mate bond was clearly strained.

After ending the call with my brother, I was approached by Senior William at the healers‘ station. His expression was ufortable as he handed me a document.

“Elena, this is a duty reassignment report,” he said, avoiding my eyes. “You’ll now report directly to Senior Healer Sophia Rivers.”

The demotion stung like a physical blow. I had previously held special privileges that exempted me from departmental oversight.

The signed authorization from Director Henry Baker made it clear this decision came from someone with significant influence. I immediately suspected Marcus’s involvement in my professional humiliation.

Senior William couldn’t hide his conflicted expression. He had worked at the institute for fifteen years and feltplicated about my rapid advancement.

A young healer receiving preferential treatment after only three years had always bothered him. Though he genuinely respected my abilities, learning of Alpha Marcus’s disapproval had put him in a difficult position.

“Is my emotional state something I need to report to you?” I asked coldly.

I threw the document on his desk and left for my office. Behind me, I heard him muttering about theplicated politics of pack hierarchies.

That evening, I returned home exhausted to find Marcus waiting in the Great Hall. He was freshly showered and wearing casual clothes that emphasized his Alpha physique.

“Why didn’t you answer my morning call?b” /bhe questioned, his golden eyes sharp with displeasure. “And why are you returning sote?”

I responded curtly, my voice t with exhaustion. “I was in an intensive healing session.”

As I headed toward the Master Suite, he followed close behind. “Your temporary cement under Sophia’s supervision will help you resolve your misunderstandings.”

His tone was matter–of–fact, as if discussing pack business. “You need to work together harmoniously bwithin /bthe pack structure.”

The conversation escted when I challenged his characterization. “Misunderstandingsb? /bbIs /bbthat /bwhat byou /bcall our conflict?b” /b

Chapter 22. bThe /bbPrice /bof G.

bMarcus’s /bbtone /bbgrew /bbthreatening/b, his Alpha authority radiating bfrom /bevery bword/b. b“/bbDon’t /bbtest /bbmy /bbpatience/bb, /bElene bWolves /bbcan’t /bbhave /bbeverything /bthey want.”

bThe /bbirony /bwasn’t lost on me. I felt I had gained nothing I truly desired from our mating bbond/b.

He then offeredpensation that made my stomach turn. “I’ll promote iyou /iito /ideputy chief bhealer /bbwithin /bbtwo /bmonths. A position that would normally take years to achieve.”

His voice carried the confidence of someone used to buyingpliance. “Consider bit /bpensation bfor /bbyour /btemporary subordination to Sophia.”

(Marcus’s POV)

Elena epted my terms with apparent calm, her voice steady and controlled. “Very well, Alpha.”

But something felt fundamentally different this time. Though she had agreed to my demands as usualb, /bban /bunease settled in my chest.

She took her night clothes and left the Master Suite for another room. I watched her departure with bgrowing /bdifort.

An uncontroble thought began growing in my mind’s shadows. The possibility that she might actually follow through with severing our mate bond.

I quickly suppressed it, convincing myself I was overthinking the situation. No Luna would willingly give up such a prestigious position.

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