What remained were the various items Ethan had given me over three years—the pack's unique rune talismans, valuable gems, and deeds to territories.

I picked out the expensive ones and planned to have my best friend hold onto them for now.

After I left the Silvermoon pack, she could return them anonymously to the Ford family, who led the pack.

This was the only way to settle things completely, leaving nothing behind—not even a trace of my scent.

As for the cheap trinkets Ethan gave just to make me happy, I didn't hesitate to pack them up and throw them away.

Once, I even treasured an unremarkable crescent pendant, all because it carried his scent.

But now, when it was time to discard the trinkets, I felt indifferent. Even my wolf couldn't be bothered to glance at them.

After I was done, I meticulously wrapped my mother's photograph along with the moonstone necklace brimming with power, and gently placed them in a secret compartment of my suitcase.

Then, I left the place I had lived in for ten years without looking back.

As I walked out of the manor gates, Ethan's black SUV happened to drive up.

I didn't even bother glancing at it, but the vehicle suddenly stopped beside me. The window rolled down, revealing Ethan's handsome face. His Alpha presence washed over me.

My gaze merely skimmed over it, and my steps didn't falter.

"Ivy." Ethan's brow furrowed slightly, seeming displeased by my coldness. "Where are you going? What's with all this stuff?"

I was hauling two large suitcases, so walking was already a bit of a struggle. I had even less desire to stop and exchange pleasantries with him.

Thus, I ignored him and kept walking forward.

However, Ethan suddenly opened the car door and got out, walking over to me in large strides.

"Do you need a ride?" he asked.

"No, thank you." I avoided his hand and continued walking away.

Ethan suddenly grabbed my wrist, and his strength as an Alpha made it impossible for me to break free.

"Ivy, why are you so stubborn this time? Just cry for me like you used to and bare your neck in submission. Maybe I'll soften up again."

I forcefully shook off his hand and looked at him with a calmness I had never shown before. "That won't be necessary, Ethan."

I had no need to cry, nor did I have any need for him to grow soft on him.

Time after time, my wolf had grown weary. Eventually, we lost all desire for him.

"Fine. Suit yourself," Ethan said with a sneer, although disbelief was written in his eyes.

No wolf could easily leave their fated mate, after all.

In the past, no matter how heartbroken I was, I was always willing to wait silently for Ethan to turn back. He had long grown accustomed to me always following behind him.

Everyone around him said that I would never leave him, that she couldn't survive without the protection of an Alpha. He truly believed that too.

I pulled my suitcases, preparing to leave.

Just then, Ella's gentle voice rang out, carrying a smug tone. "Ethan, you're here!"

She rushed over and tightly linked her arm with Ethan's, pressing most of her body against him. She brazenly rubbed her scent onto him as a way to stake her claim.

"Has the rash gotten better?" Ethan asked.

He brushed aside the stray hair on her forehead and carefully checked her over, his gaze gentle as if he was looking at something precious.

"Much better." Ella looked up and smiled. "Ethan, don't be mad at Ivy."

As she spoke, she hugged his arm and gave it a light shake. "Actually, it's my own fault for being so weak. If I weren't so frail just after my first shifting and allergic to a common herb like evening primrose, the Council wouldn't have made me swap rooms with Ivy.

"Ivy wouldn't have taken her anger out on me then…"

"How can you blame yourself? She's just narrow-minded, like some savage Rogue." Ethan glanced at me and deliberately pulled Ella into his embrace, releasing calming pheromones.

"Let's go inside. You just recovered. We can't have you catching a chill," he said gently.

Ella nodded happily. "Okay."

I watched the two of them leave, holding each other like they were joined at the hip. My heart didn't stir, feeling as dead and calm as still water. Even my wolf turned away, not wanting to witness this disgusting scene any longer.

…

After Mom's memorial passed, Dad didn't return to bring me back.

And in the blink of an eye, Ethan's full-moon shifting had arrived.

In previous years, I would've long prepared the herbs and rituals to help soothe the frenzy during an Alpha's shifting.

I also would've gone to great lengths to arrange the grandest banquet for the full moon, meticulously setting up the traditional ceremony for werewolves.

But this time, I prepared nothing. Neither was I going to the celebrations for him again.

At five in the afternoon, I was in a car on the way to the airport. New messages started pouring in on my phone one after another.

Dad asked, "Why aren't you here yet? Linda, Ella, and I are already at the pack house. Ivy, you need to be magnanimous. Ethan will be the future Alpha, and we're allies. If you don't come, what will outsiders think? They'll think you two are at odds, and it'll hurt the family's image."

I found it utterly laughable. I didn't reply to him at all and simply blocked him.

When I was about to board the plane, I suddenly received a text message from Ethan.

"Why aren't you here yet? All the pack members are waiting for you. My wolf is also restless, and he needs you to calm him."

I smiled at the text. Without replying to his text, I blocked all his contacts everywhere as well as the contacts of all the pack members.

Then, I walked through the boarding gate and never looked back.