After Severance,Alpha Fell in Love With Ex-Luna

Chapter 70: The Mate Bond Refused

Chapter 70: The Mate Bond Refused

(Elena’s POV)

After watching the excitement, the onlookers gradually dispersed, and the courtyard returned to its former

desolation. The neighbors’ curious voices faded into the distance, leaving only the three of us standing in the

uncomfortable silence.

| freed myself from Marcus’s grasp with a sharp jerk, my skin still burning where his fingers had touched me. |

walked quickly to Patricia’s side, my voice cold and unwavering.

“You're not welchere, Marcus.

Marcus stared at the warmth remaining on his fingertips, his golden eyes following my movement. His jaw

tightened as he processed my rejection.

“I can leave,” he said slowly, his voice carrying that familiar dangerous edge. “But Nathan has to leave too.”

| whirled around to face him, my anger flaring like wildfire. “Nathan is a guest of the Blackthorne Pack. You have

no right to interfere with his stay”

Marcus's gaze intensified, boring intowith uncomfortable intensity. The air between us crackled with

tension.

Patricia stepped forward, shieldingwith her body. Her voice trembled slightly, but her resolve was clear.

“Nathan helped with Richard's funeral arrangements. | invited him to dinner to repay his kindness.” She lifted

her chin, meeting Marcus's stare. “Please don’t make things difficult for the Blackthorne Pack.”

Something shifted in Marcus’s expression. The harsh lines around his eyes softened marginally, and for a

moment, he looked almost human.

Tm sorry about Richard's death,” he said quietly/his voice losing its commanding tone. “I promise to

investigate what happened.”

Patricia's response was swift and cutting. Your promises mean nothing to us now.”

She turned her back on him, taking my arm. “Come, Elena. Let's go inside.”

| followed Patricia toward the house, deliberately avoiding Marcus’s gaze. My heart hammered against my

ribs, but | refused to look back.

(God's POV)

Nathan passed by Marcus, his lips curving into a provocative smile. The expression was subtle but

unmistakably challenging.

Marcus's gaze turned cold, his golden eyes tracking Nathan's movement like a predator watching prey. The

temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees.

(Elena’s POV)

Inside the Blackthorne Family Kitchen, Patricia moved around with nervous energy, preparing lunch with

shaking hands. | helped her wash vegetables, the mundane task providing a welcdistraction.

Chapter 70. The Mate Bin-

“Elena,” Patricia said suddenly, her voice tight with worry. Im concerned about David's safety. With him under

Marcus's care...”

She paused, setting down a knife with trembling fingers. “Maybe we should transfer him to another hospital. The

power of the Blackwood family frightens me.”

| reached out and covered her hand with mine. “Mom, I've already considered David's situation. | have a plan.”

Patricia's eyes searched my face, looking for reassurance. “What kind of plan?”

“Trust me,” | said softly. “I won't let anything happen to David.”

Patricia prepared a lavish lunch despite her emotional state. The table groaned under the weight of venison

stew, roasted vegetables, and fresh bread.

Nathan's compliments brought the first genuine smile to Patricia's face since Richard's death. “Aunt, this is

incredible. | haven't had a home-cooked meal this good in years.”

Patricia beamed, heaping more food onto his plate. “Eat more, you're too thin. A young Alpha needs proper

nutrition.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Nathan said warmly. “This means more tothan you know.”

After lunch, | walked Nathan out to the Blackthorne Family Courtyard. The afternoon sun cast long shadows

across the worn stones.

Nathan stopped beside his car, turning to face me. “Elena, why are you so reserved withlately?”

| looked down at my hands, guilt weighing heavily on my chest. “I'm sorry for involving you in my and Marcus's...

situation. Our mate bond was supposed to be secret.”

Nathan's eyes sparkled with mischief. “Does that mean | have a chance with you now?”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Nathan...

He raised his hand as if to touch my face, then stopped himself. His fingers hovered inches from my skin.

“You're good, Elena,” he said softly. “Marcus is blind not to see it.”

As Nathan drove away, | was about to return inside when my phone rang. Director Henry Baker's nappeared

on the screen.

“Elena,” his voice was excited. “Your suspension has been lifted. Your report about William Cross was

successful.”

1 frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”

“William's bribery amounted to millions,” Director Baker explained. “The investigation revealed corruption far

beyond what we initially suspected.”

My breath caught. “Millions?”

“William won't be returning to the institute. I'm offering you his position.” Director Baker paused. “I know you

applied for a transfer to Riverstone Medical Center, but would you consider staying temporarily?”

| thought about the institute that had raised me, the place where I'd learned to heal. TI take the position. | want

to make more contributions to the hospital that trained me.”

The next day, | returned to the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute. The familiar corridors felt different

somehow, charged with new possibilities.

Nurses clustered near the reception desk, their voices carrying down the hallway: “Did you hear? Elena’s been

reinstated and promoted.”

“She's taking over William's position. Can you believe it?”

Sophia Rivers appeared at the edge of the group, her smile forced and brittle. She turned to look toward my

office, her eyes burning with barely concealed hatred.

Inside Elena’s Healing Chamber, | surveyed the empty desk that had remained untouched during my suspension.

Dust motes danced in the afternoon light as | opened the curtains.

My reflection stared back atfrom the glass, and for a moment, | saw a flash of coldness in my own eyes

The woman looking back atwas harder than before, tempered by loss and betrayal.

Movement in the parking area below caught my attention. Marcus's distinctive Rolls-Royce sat in the

shadows, and | watched as Sophia approached the vehicle.

Marcus stepped out of the car, his tall frunmistakable even from this distance. | turned away from the

window, dismissing them both from my thoughts.

(Sophia’s POV)

“Elena is very capable,” Marcus said, his voice neutral as he watched the institute building.

| forced my expression to remain calm, though my heart raced with anxiety. “Marcus, are you worried that

Elena still hates me?”

His golden eyes met mine, and | saw something cold and final in their depths. “Elena has every reason to

hate you. You caused her father’s death.”

Panic flooded throughlike ice water. “I didn’t know Richard had a real heart attack! | thought he was faking

it!”

“After Oliver is discharged from the hospital, Ill send him to the Blackwood Private Healing Sanctuary for

treatment,” Marcus continued, ignoring my protests. “I won't interfere in your affairs anymore.”

The words hitlike physical blows. Marcus's attitude had completely changed because of Richard's death.

Elena’s return to the hospital was his doing.

My hatred for Elena intensified, burning in my chest like acid. She had taken everything from me.

(Elena’s POV)

Marcus appeared outside my office door, his presence filling the doorway. | didn’t look up from the papers on my

desk.

“I only have tto discuss severing our mate bond,” | said coldly.

Marcus stepped into the room, his/expression grave. “Sever the mate bond? When did | say | wanted to sever

our bond?”

| finally raised my eyes to meet his. “Didn't you see the separation agreement | sent to your company

yesterday?”

His voice was firm, unyielding. “I do not agree to severing our mate bond.”