Bound and Burned by the One I Loved novel Chapter 3

Cassian clearly never expected me to be the one to propose severing the bond.

He froze for an instant, then rage erupted across the link. Before he could snarl another word, I severed the connection.

Immediately, my pack-link exploded. Message after message hammered through, each one burning with his fury.

Where are you? Asha , have you lost your mind? I spared you because you carried my heir, and now you push further?

You think being pregnant protects you? I’ll dissolve this bond so fast you’ll be crawling on your knees begging me to sign the birth papers when you deliver!

And the news on the public channel—retract it now! Don’t force me to expose your true face to the entire territory!

I didn’t read another line. I purged every message and blocked his signature completely.

Even though I’d died by his hand in the previous life, this fresh betrayal still sent a blade through my heart.

The healers entered to change my dressings, gossiping freely, unaware of my expression.

"The Alpha downstairs is magnificent," one sighed. "I’ve never seen a pair so well-matched! Childhood friends raised in the same den, fated companions—how romantic!"

"You’re behind on the news," another laughed. "The latest is that Cassian paid a fortune to commandeer the healing house kitchen just to brew her marrow-broth personally every day!"

"When I tried to apply her salves earlier, he wouldn’t let me touch her. Insisted on doing it himself. True mates are such a joy to witness!"

...

I stared numbly at the puncture marks on my forepaw. The skin sloughing off my arm itched and burned beneath the bandages.

Once they left, I gasped for air, mouth opening wide to draw in oxygen that refused to reach my lungs.

That evening, the head healer examined me. He said the heavy blow to my abdomen had caused permanent damage. I would likely never conceive again.

My first reaction, strangely, was relief.

Thank the Moon. No pup would suffer with me now.

Innocent lives deserved better fates.

Once the chamber emptied, I checked the public channel. The public opinion storm had grown unstoppable, forcing the Elder Council to issue a statement.

But their explanation was that the fire had been entirely orchestrated by me.

That out of jealousy, I had deliberately harmed another.

That I had wasted the rescue patrol’s resources and dragged their honored Alpha into disgrace.

In the projection, the Elder spoke of peace, but every word planted blame squarely on my shoulders.

To add credibility, Cassian had registered his official account and broadcast our mating confirmation to the entire territory.

His move nailed me to the pillar of shame. The curses once aimed at the rescue patrol turned and crashed over me like a tidal wave.

My public channel was flooded, my access revoked by the moderators.

My attempts to explain drowned in the howling of the mob.

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