A Luna's Escape

Breaking The Bond

"Ah, Luna Harrolson. To what do I owe the pleasure?" The old man gestured to a plush armchair in the corner of the living room. His head was void of hair and covered with wrinkles. His nose was large and very round, keeping the thin framed, silver glasses in place. The gentleman's body was hunched over slightly, his eyelids heavy and hung low over his eyes. He reminded me very much of a live version of Mr. Magoo.

"Elder Benton. Please, just call me Sophie." I nodded as I swept my short, white skirt up under my legs as I sat down. "I need a favor."

"A favor?" He coc.ked his head, looking at me quizzically.

"Yes. I uh…"

"Is this about Cole?" He cut me off.

"Yes. It is."

"Ah." He raised a withered finger into the air, gently waving it at me.

"I need your help to break the bond." I spat out quickly.

"I see." He rubbed the white stubble on his chin. "Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I sighed, sinking back into the chair.

"I suppose. You are talking about his mistress situation?" The old man said.

"Yes sir." I replied respectfully.

"I can understand your request."

"Will you help me?" My heart beat fast in my chest as I awaited his answer.

"You…" He paused, his sliver of his eyes barely visible as he carefully thought through his next words. "You were never officially made Luna of this pack."

"No, sir."

"If I remember correctly, you were never legally married either?"

"That's correct."

"It is just the marking?"

"Yes sir." I pushed my curly brown hair over my shoulder, exposing Cole's mark on my neck. Elder Benton sat quietly in his chair. My hands were drenched in sweat as I awaited his answer. I was so worried he wouldn't help me. Luna's and Alpha's don't get their bonds broken for no reason.

"And Alpha Porter is in agreement with this request?"

No, sir. He doesn't know I am requesting it." My heart sank. There was no way Elder Benton would help if Cole wasn't included in this.

"He has no idea you're here?"

No. I need this." I pleaded. "He has a mistress he's parading around in front of the entire pack. He's more involved with her than he is with me. He doesn't want to be with me any longer, and I have to admit I would like to be free of him as well. I have the opportunity to make a new life for myself, and I'd like to take it. But I need to be free of Cole, of this pack, before I can move on."

"I see." Elder Benton sighed, his shaky hands fiddling with the long, wooden cane in front of him.

"You have no wolf, is that correct?"

"Yes sir." I tried to keep hold of some hope he would help me.

"When are you looking to sever your bond?"

"As soon as possible. Tomorrow, if I could."

"I'm assuming you would like to keep this a secret?"

"I would. I know if Cole knew what I was up to, he would stop it. But, I know he isn't interested in me any longer. He will never make me his Luna. He is embarrassed of me. I believe it is because I have no wolf. He has chosen his next Luna. It isn't me."

"It would be a shame to lose you. The woman he is with now would not be as good a Luna as you have been."

"I know. It's the only reason I would feel guilty leaving."

"Are you prepared to live with that guilt? Knowing what would be replacing you?"

"I am." I sighed.

I really did feel bad that I would be leaving the pack in the hands of Maggie. She would never be a good Luna. She isn't a wolf of status. My father was at least an alpha. I had Alpha blood in my veins. But Maggie, she was a regular wolf. Born of a warrior father. She was a full wolf though. She could shift. She would give Cole pups. My pups may never have a wolf. How could he have an heir who couldn't properly protect his pack?

"In a way, me leaving might be a good thing." Elder Benton looked up, his eyes widened as far as the folds of skin would allow.

"How so?"

"I have no wolf. At least she does. There is a chance any children I have will be human, like me. He needs a pup, not a child." I transferred my thoughts into words.

"Yes. As an alpha, he would need a pup for an heir. But you…" He wagged his weathered finger at me again. "You have more potential than you know."

"What do you mean?" I looked at him, confusion plastered all over my face.

"I will help you." A smile spread across my face as I watched him get up from his chair. He slowly shuffled over to a bookshelf, digging through one of the drawers. He produced a small vial of white liquid. Shuffling back over, he carefully placed it in my hands, wrapping his fingers tightly around mine.

"The new moon is in two days' time. I can do the ceremony then. Drink this at eleven PM sharp. Return here at midnight. But, be ready to leave. He will feel the bond being severed and I've no doubt he will come for you. If you are hoping to escape, you will need to leave the minute the ceremony is complete. This vial will give you the strength you need to survive the ceremony and get away. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" I said excitedly. I shot up, wrapping my arms around Elder Benton's neck.

- - - - - -

I quickly shoved everything I owned into boxes, loading them into the back of my SUV. Cole was out again tonight, which was a good thing. I needed him to be gone so I could get things packed up and leave. He had hung around the last couple of nights and I wasn't able to get anything packed up. I quickly began tossing things into boxes the second he left the house. I had been able to transfer over some money from our joint account to my personal account before withdrawing all of the cash and closing down my personal account. I didn't want him to be able to track me. But I was nervous driving around with so much cash. I had taken half in cash and half on a cashiers check. I didn't know how long it would take me to open up a new account, and thought it would be best to only use cash for a while. I didn't think he would come looking for me, but wanted to be safe, just in case.

I shoved the last of my things into the back of my overflowing car. I wasn't able to fit everything I owned, so I only took the most important things first, filling the rest of the space with whatever would fit.

"Bottoms up." I said as I quickly swallowed the chalky, white liquid. "Yuck." I scrunched my face up in disgust after tasting it. I stood, looking at my home. I was sad to be leaving it. It has been my home for the last four years. It wasn't four happy years though. I was ready to be moving on to a better life.

My heart raced as I drove to Elder Benton's home. I was so nervous that Cole would come for me. I knew what I was planning was risky. I knew he would feel the bond being severed. I just hoped I would make it out in time. I pulled up to Elder Benton's house, backing my car into the driveway. I wanted to make a quick getaway, and didn't want anything to slow me down.

"Now or never, Soph." I said as I knocked on the front door.

"You're sure this is what you want?" Elder Benton said as he stood above me. I knelt on my knees in front of him. He wore black silk robes, a hood covering his head. Light softly reflected off of his glasses. All of the lights had been shut off, the only illumination in the home was from the candles scattered around the room.

"I'm sure." I looked up at him, he only nodded, slipping a small, silver dagger from his robe.

"I, Elder Samuel Benton, of the Red Moon Pack, hereby release Sophie Harrolson of her bond with Alpha Cole Porter, and any ties to The Red Moon Pack." He took my hand in his, the cold metal running along my palm. I winced as he sliced, red blood trickling from my hand and into the chalice on the floor.

"Sophie, do you accept the severance to this pack and to Alpha Porter? To henceforth be known as a rogue, until you are accepted into another pack. To understand that the moon goddess may not grant you another mate. Do you understand and accept?" I hesitated for a moment. I didn't have a wolf. I didn't have a first mate, let alone the possibility of a second. Why would Elder Benton say those words? Perhaps it was what he was supposed to say. I brushed it off.

"I, Sophie Harrolson, understand and accept." Elder Benton set the knife down on the pillow next to us, grasping the chalice in his hands.

"Drink." He shoved the cup into my face I took it, and quickly chugged the liquid blood mixture. It surprisingly didn't taste like blood. I handed the cup back to him and stood up.

"Now what?" I asked.

"Do you feel anything?" He looked at me, with what I interpreted as a look of hope.

"No." I shook my head. "Am I supposed to?"

"Without a wolf, no." His face fell.

"Oh." Just as the words left my mouth I felt a small pang in my stomach similar to an intense cramp. I doubted over, clutching my stomach.

"You feel it!" He exclaimed. "Quick child! You must go!" Elder Benton took my hand and drug me to the front door with renewed speed. I didn't think the old man was capable of moving so quickly. He opened the door and shoved me onto the porch. An ear piercing howl broke the silence of the night air.

"Cole." I murmured as the pain subsided.

"You must go, now!" Elder Benton demanded. I raced to my car and sped down the road. The only thing in my favor right now was the fact that Elder Benton lived on the edge of the territory. It would be easy to make it out of town. Not having a wolf meant I would leave no scent trail. If I could hit the highway before I was caught, I would be home free.