The Day He Knelt, I Married a Don Novel

---- Chapter 9 Selene's POV I nodded silently, watching Julian's figure disappear beyond the gates. Only after his presence had completely faded did I turn and reenter the empty house. The moment I lay down, my phone lit up. Amessage from Claire. Curious despite myself, I opened it. It was a screenshot- a conversation between Claire and Julian. Claire: "Julian, I found some old love letters I wrote you. Want to come and see them? If not, ll just burn them." Julian's reply had been almost immediate: "Don't burn them. Wait for me." My fingers tightened around the phone.

He had promised he would be back soon. And yet, the next two days passed without a single word ---- from him. No explanations. No phone calls. But it didn't matter anymore. The final day of the Mate Bond cooling period arrived. I picked up my phone and dialed Attorney Li. "The moon cycle is complete," I said. "Is the Severance finalized?" "Yes," came the bright, professional reply. "The Pack Elders have ratified the Bond Severance. Congratulations, Miss Hartwell-you're free." "Thank you," I said softly. For the first time in months, a genuine smile touched my lips.

As T ended the call, another name flashed across my screen: Ethan Caldwell. For a moment, Julian's words echoed mockingly in my ears: ---- "Stay away from Ethan. I know what other men want." I dismissed the thought and answered the call. "Senior Brother," I greeted. Nothing Julian had ever said would stop me from living my life. He no longer had that right. "Selene," Ethan's voice was warm, steady. "The moon cycle's up. Are you ready to depart?" I smiled, a real, unburdened smile. "Tam," I said. "I can leave today." "Good," he said simply.

"I'll be waiting." After ending the call, I changed into a clean, simple outfit and prepared to leave for the Pack Syndicate Office. Just as I reached the door, it swung open. Julian stood there, draped in a black overcoat, the cold winter air clinging to him. He froze when he saw me- his expression caught between surprise and something ---- almost wistful. "You're smiling," he said, voice low. "Where are you going, so happy?" Before I could answer, he seemed to guess. His face lit up with a soft laugh. "You're going for the pup's check-up?

Let me go with you." I stiffened, ready to correct him- ready to tell him there was no pup anymore. But before I could speak, his phone buzzed insistently. The caller ID flashed: Claire Lancaster. Without hesitation, Julian excused himself and stepped away to answer. I sat quietly in the car, watching him through the windshield. He spoke in hushed tones, head bowed slightly, shielding Claire's words from me like a sacred trust. When he finally returned, he offered a crooked smile. ---- "Something urgent came up. You go first, Selene.

Bring the pup's report back, and we'll look at it together, okay?" The same patronizing tone he always used, as if I were a child too fragile to understand betrayal. I smiled faintly and nodded. I watched him drive away before I hailed another car. Not to the medical wing. But to the Pack Syndicate Office. Half an hour later, I stood at the marble counter, facing a solemn Pack Elder who held the thick parchment bearing the official Pack Seal. "Selene Hartwell," he said formally, "this Severance Certificate confirms the dissolution of your Mate Bond with Julian Blake.

By Pack law, you are no longer his Mate, nor the future Luna of the Blake Pack." I nodded and stepped forward. From my pocket, I withdrew the Pack Crest- a small, polished silver emblem, once pinned over my heart when I was introduced as Julian's future Luna. ---- My fingers hesitated only a moment before unclasping it. It felt cold. Foreign. I laid it carefully on the velvet-lined tray before the Elder. The severance ritual was simple but irreversible. Once the Crest was returned, my name would be struck from the Blake Pack lineage records.

I would no longer hold any claim, any right- or any chains. The Elder stamped the Severance Certificate with the final seal. Asoft glow pulsed across the parchment, sealing my fate with ancient magic. It was done. Truly done. Returning to the house one last time, I found Julian's copy of the Severance Certificate waiting for him and placed it neatly on the living room table. ---- I texted him: "I picked up something for you. It's on the table." Seconds later, he replied warmly: "Wait for me. We'll look at the pup's report together." Istared at the message for a long moment.

Then, without hesitation, I removed my phone's SIM card, snapped it in half, and dropped it into the trash. My luggage had been packed for days. I wheeled it through the empty halls, each step feeling lighter, freer. At the front door, I paused once, glancing back. Three years of my life contained within these walls. Three years of dreams, promises, and betrayals. "Julian Blake," I whispered into the silent house. "From today forward, you're free. And so am I." "Goodbye." Without a second glance, I walked into the night. ---- And this time, I didn't just leave. Inever intended to return.