Chapter 2

Elena POV

The Forbidden Zone. It was the only place in the world where werewolves dared not step.

It was created ten years ago during a brutal war between two massive packs. One side had used a highly volatile, mutated strain of Wolfsbane.

But they didn't realize the poison was airborne. It infected everyone in the area.

Most died instantly. The survivors went completely feral, turning into mindless rogues.

The 18-year-old prince had personally led his royal guards to settle down the battle, forcing all packs to migrate.

He then gathered the top healers and scholars in the country to establish a research base right on the border of the contaminated zone.

On the phone, my former herbology professor from the Werewolf Academy spoke in a serious tone.

"Elena, this project is funded directly by the Royal Family. It requires a five-year commitment. During this time, you will be under strict NDA. You cannot contact anyone from the outside world. It means cutting off your entire past, including your family. Are you absolutely sure about this?"

I gripped my phone tightly. "I am absolutely sure."

"But you rejected this offer three times before just to stay by James's side. Are you really ready to leave everything behind for five years?"

Ready? What was left for me here?

My heart was dead.

"Professor, James and I are done. You don't have to worry about him."

"What? You mean that bastard actually rejected you?"

In the werewolf world, it was incredibly rare for fated mates to separate. Most wolves remained fiercely loyal to their mates, finding peace and happiness only in their other half.

But James chose a human.

My inner wolf let out a painful whimper, mourning the injustice of our fate. This was exactly why I had to leave. I couldn't stay here and let my wolf suffer his humiliation day after day.

"Don't be angry, Professor. I am the one leaving him."

"Fine. I understand. Your departure is scheduled for the fifth of next month. I'll email you the NDAs. Once you sign, there's no turning back."

The call ended, and the email arrived seconds later. Without a shred of hesitation, I signed my name.

As the screen went black, it reflected my pale, hollow face.

James and I had met at our graduation ball. He was the young, powerful Alpha of the Ironridge Pack, and I was the top graduate of the Academy.

The Moon Goddess had chosen me to be his fated mate.

I still remembered how he walked up to me, pulling me into his arms and kissing me passionately, whispering, "Mine."

My wolf had howled with joy back then.

We actually had a sweet honeymoon phase. But shortly after I got pregnant, I accidentally overheard a heated argument between James and his mother outside his study.

"...Elena is your fated mate! She is brilliant and perfect for the Luna title!"

"But I don't love her, Mom! You know who has my heart!"

"That's exactly why I'm stepping in! You either treat Elena right, or I will send Clara to a place where you will never find her!"

That was the day I realized James was hopelessly in love with Clara. Even though his wolf craved my scent, his heart belonged to her.

And yet, I had foolishly stayed, believing that my love could change his mind.

Now, reality had slapped me in the face and taken my daughter's life.

I didn't wait for James to come home. I grabbed a large cardboard box and began packing up everything that no longer mattered to me.

I carried the heavy box to the trash incinerator behind the packhouse and threw it in.

Suddenly, a loud screech of brakes echoed through the yard.

"What are you doing?" James demanded, slamming his car door shut and rushing toward me.

He looked inside the incinerator and saw the items I had thrown away. Our first date souvenirs. The little gifts he brought me from his business trips. Our honeymoon photos. And even my diaries.

"Elena, have you lost your mind?" James stared at me in disbelief.

"You used to treasure these things. Why are you throwing them away?"