“Why don't you stay to have a meal with us?” Morgan asked as hope showed in his eyes.

Nate nodded as he added, “Yeah, it will be just like old times.”

I shook my head and replied, “No can do, guys. Remember that I need to leave for the jewelry show and I can't be late.”

“Oh, okay.” Morgan said, the hope in his eyes vanishing.

“Yeah, you're right. You need to catch your flight early.” Nate said, looking like he understood my excuse.

“Yeah.” I replied as I turned around to walk out of the room, and this time, they didn't stop me.

My heart beat faster and my senses heightened.

I was finally leaving this painful place behind to embrace a new future.

As soon as I reached home, I walked upstairs and went straight to my room.

I wanted to finish packing my bags since I was leaving today. So I made my way to my dresser and grabbed my makeup then walked to my suitcase and two traveling bags.

I unzipped my traveling bags and started gently placing my makeup inside.

Next were my toiletries, so I walked into the bathroom and grabbed them.

I walked back to my traveling bags and placed them inside one by one.

Just as I finished, I heard Demi's cheerful voice through mind link.

“Hey, Ariel! I'm so excited to tell you the good news that I've just received!”

Knowing Demi, I knew that good news to her wouldn't be good news to me at all.

So I sighed as I asked, “What's the good news?”

“Our grandfather is considering leaving me the entire nursing home!” She exclaimed as she giggled.

Our grandfather owned the nursing home, and I was shocked that he was leaving it to her even though I had felt closer to him.

“Oh, that's good news indeed.” I muttered as I realized that she was trying to show me that he loved her more than he loved me.

However, I didn't care because I knew that he still loved me and we have a special bond.

“And that's not all.” She said, still sounding excited.

“Okay, tell me the rest of the good news then.” I urged her even though I was dreading what she was about to tell me.

“Morgan and Nate have been very kind to me by taking me out to eat and shop, and they even introduced me to their families!” She said in an overly excited voice and I knew that she was putting on a show to make me jealous.

“Well, good for you. Maybe they'll even ask you out.” I said in a steady voice.

She giggled and I said in a firm voice, “Anyway, I need to go. I have to get ready for my flight.”

“Alright, see you when we come back.” She replied and giggled again.

It sounded like she was mocking me as she laughed at me. My grandfather and I have always been close, yet he was leaving her the nursing home, and Morgan together with Nate have always been around me, but now, they were always around her.

She came here and tried taking everything away from me. She thought that she had destroyed my life, but she hadn't because I’m still standing strong since I didn't care whether my grandfather loved her more or Morgan and Nate cared about her more.

After Demi went quiet, I grabbed my phone from my bedside table and dialed my friend, Sasha Blake's number.

She was my best friend and also a warrior. She has always been there for me whenever Morgan and Nate decided to mistreat me for Demi's sake.

"Hey, Sasha. I need a ride to the airport." I said in a soft voice.

“Ariel, are you leaving?!” She asked, sounding shocked.

“Yes, my mother has been admitted to their pack hospital in London and she wants me to visit her. So I decided to move to London and live with her.” I explained as I thought of how I would miss pack training with Sasha.

Alpha Ryan has traveled, so that was why we haven't been training recently. He was our coach and he wanted us to wait until he was back to train.

I was itching to train since I was a natural warrior and I hoped that I would be able to after I arrived in London.

“I'm so sorry that she's sick, Ariel. I'll come pick you up right away.” She replied, sounding sympathetic.

Fifteen minutes later, Sasha arrived and helped me drag my suitcase down the stairs and to her car while I held up my two traveling bags.

After loading my things into the boot of her car, we climbed into the car.

She started driving as she said, "Morgan and Nate have always chased away anyone who's ever shown interest in you. So I always thought that you stayed because of them."

I chuckled as I shook my head, "Oh no! That's not why I stayed. I stayed because my father's studio is here and I wanted to run it for a while before saying goodbye to it, but now, I'm ready to leave for good."

“Woah! I had no idea, and you know, with how Morgan and Nate have always been around you, I thought you would choose one of them to be your mate.” She said as she glanced at me.

“Well, they're not always around me anymore.” I replied as I sighed.

Her expression changed as a frown fell on her brows, “Oh, right. They changed after Demi arrived and they're now all about her.”

“Exactly and I actually prefer it that way since none of them truly liked me for real.” I said as I looked out the window.

“But tell me honestly. If Demi had not appeared, would you have chosen one of them as your mate or even both of them?” Sasha asked me as her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

I nodded, “Probably.”

“Ooohhh, spicy drama! Probably both of them, right?” She pressed on and when I stayed quiet, she added, “Come on, girl. Tell me all the spicy details!”

I chuckled at Sasha's reaction and replied, “I don't know.”

“Girl, I need to know your deepest, darkest secrets ‘cause I'm your best friend!” She exclaimed, making me chuckle again.

I smiled as I replied, “Okay. I'll tell you what I really think, if they hadn't discarded me after Demi appeared, I would have probably chosen one of them.

But it would be really hard to choose between the two of them, so taking both of them as my mate would be easier.”

She laughed and said, “That's what I wanted to hear!”

“Why don't we share a final farewell meal, Sasha?” I asked as I glanced at her.

Her laughter died down and her lips tugged up into a smile as she answered me, “Sure, that sounds great. I know a restaurant on the way to the airport, we can dine there.”

“Okay.” I replied with a nod.

It didn't take long before we arrived at the restaurant. It was called Heiser.

As she shut the car's engine, we climbed out of the car and made our way into the restaurant.

We walked to an empty table in the middle of the crowded restaurant and sat down.

A waiter immediately approached our table and I saw that it was a he-wolf.

He greeted us, “Good evening.”

“Hi!” Sasha and I replied at the same time.

“Have you decided on what to order?” He asked as he looked between the two of us.

“Give us a minute.” I answered him as I picked up the menu from the table.

Sasha also picked up her menu and started looking through it.

“Alright.” He replied and waited patiently for us to decide.

After a moment, I said, “I'll have the grilled chicken and potato goulash.”

Sasha ordered next, “And I'll have the grilled salmon and saffron rice.”

“Alright, your order will be ready in a moment.” He announced then turned around to walk through the double doors that were at the back which I assumed were the doors to the kitchen.

“I'll miss you terribly when you're gone, Ariel. Who will I train with after you're gone?” Sasha asked as she looked down.

I gave her a comforting smile as I replied, “Don't worry, we'll talk everyday while I'm in London.”

“But we can't even mind link each other anymore once you arrive at your new pack in Italy!” She exclaimed as she pouted.

I placed my hand on hers and gave her a comforting squeeze as I said, “It doesn't matter, we can talk on the phone.”

She sighed, “Okay, but I'm still glad that you're leaving Morgan and Nate behind. They don't deserve your friendship.”

“Yeah, you're right.” I replied as I nodded.

The waiter walked out of the restaurant’s kitchen and approached our table, holding two plates of food in each hand.

“Here you go, Ma’am's.” He said as he placed them on the table then walked over to another table to take their order.

We dug into our food as we talked here and there.

After our meal, Sasha drove me to the airport.

As we arrived, I felt a mix of emotions. Excitement for my new life in Italy, but also sadness at leaving behind the only home I had ever known.

Sasha hugged me tightly as she said, "You're doing the right thing, Ariel. Start fresh."

My phone rang, breaking the moment. My mother's voice filled the line, weak but warm, "Hey, honey. What time does your flight arrive? Someone will pick you up."

“Hi, Mom! My flight will arrive at 9:30 pm.” I replied in an excited voice.

“Alright, honey. Be safe.” She said in a soft voice, sounding amused.

“Don't worry, Mom. I'll be safe.” I said as I smiled, feeling grateful for her love and care.

She hung up the call and I placed my phone back into my handbag.

That was when I noticed Morgan and Nate lingering nearby. Curiosity made them approach me.

"Who's that?" Nate asked, his tone curious.

I shrugged as I said in an indifferent tone of voice, "None of your business."

Their expressions faltered, stunned by my coldness.

Morgan spoke up, "Ariel, we need to talk."

I raised an eyebrow. "What's there to discuss?"

He explained, "You might notice that we are not paying much attention to you now. It's because Demi needs more attention than you. She's been through a lot."

Nate nodded, “Yeah, she has no one, but you at least have your mother.”

I scoffed and asked them, "Why do you feel the need to justify yourselves? You've made it clear where your priorities lie."

Morgan's face reddened in embarrassment as he accused me, "You're just jealous, Ariel. We understand your feelings completely."

A frown fell on my brows and I clarified, "I don't care. You're just friends to me. Nothing more."

Nate's eyes locked onto mine, pleading as he murmured, "But we want more than friendship, Ariel.”

Morgan nodded as he added, “Yeah, and we want you to recognize your feelings."

I remained calm, unmoved as I said, "I've made my choice. Let's drop it."

“Okay, at least let us carry your luggage.” Morgan insisted.

Nate glanced at my luggage and said, “It looks too heavy for you to carry.”

“Okay.” I replied, knowing that they wouldn't back down.

The tension between us was palpable as they carried my luggage.

Demi walked over to us, pulling her luggage behind her.

Her voice was laced with sadness as she said, "I have to take a different flight. I'll miss you, Ariel."

I wouldn't miss her, so I couldn't say that I wouldn't. Instead I said, “We can still talk on the phone.”

As soon as Morgan and Nate saw Demi, they dropped my luggage and rushed to help her carry her luggage.

“Let me help you with that.” Nate said as he grabbed her traveling bag.

“And I'll take that.” Morgan said as he took her small suitcase’s handle from her hand.

When I saw that, I seized the opportunity. I pulled out my phone from my handbag and blocked their numbers, removing all contact.

I turned away, my heart pounding in my chest.

I quickened my pace, eager to leave the past behind.