*~Leon's POV~*
I stood right in the middle of the council chamber. Sophia sat off to the side, her mother and sister hovering over her, whispering soft words of comfort as she cried—loudly, pitifully, the kind of cry that made every wolf in the room glance at me with accusation.
I wasn't sitting in my usual place as Beta. Not today.
Today, I stood as the accused.
Alpha Caspian's voice cut through the silence. "Leon," he said, turning to me, "are you going to remind the council why we are gathered here today?"
My throat went dry. I swallowed hard. "I—I am standing here today because I want to end the relationship between myself and Lady Sophia."
A ripple of murmurs went through the room. Caspian narrowed his eyes. "You mean… you wish to sever your mate bond?"
"Yes," I said firmly. "My false mate bond."
"False?" Sophia's voice cracked as she looked up, tears streaking her face.
