"If you still want me to be your mate... Wait. What did you just say?" Matthew had spoken before realizing what I had answered. His brows pulled together in irritation.

He continued, "What game are you playing now?"

Everyone knew how desperately I had clung to the idea of being his mate.

After I was brought home, I followed Matthew like a loyal little shadow.

I would wait for him on the road every day just to hand him a bundle of wild berries. I would cook wormwood-root stew after every patrol, hoping it would chase away the scent of blood on him.

His teammates would always whistle and joke around whenever I showed up. "Your fiancee's here again. What is it this time, mud or swamp water? Guess that rogue wolf background really shows. She always brings the weirdest stuff."

Matthew would turn bright red from embarrassment, glare at me, and snap, "Stop coming out to find me. Just stay home. All you ever do is make us look ridiculous."

He would walk off without a second glance, as if getting too close to me might infect him with something.

However, he had completely forgotten how close we once were ten years ago.

We went to school together and walked the forest path home together. He used to protect me at school and share his favorite sweet red berries with me.

It was his favorite kind of berry. It was bright red, sweet, and growing right along the edge of the forest. It was also small and impossibly cute.

He once told me, "Shee, I like you. Be my mate someday, okay? I'll give you all the berries I pick."

Back then, Tatiana was still a toddler. I was our parents' cherished little princess, and they arranged the engagement between Matthew and me.

I truly believed I was the happiest she-wolf in the Blue Moon Pack, until the day he sneaked me out of the territory to pick berries at the forest's edge.

A band of rogue wolves attacked us. He shielded me as we ran, but just before we reached safety, I fell. I was too young then. There was no way I would make it back at his pace. So I let go of his hand and shouted, "Matthew, run! The patrol team is right ahead!"

However, there was no patrol team. I lied to make him escape. I fell down a slope and lost consciousness for an entire day and night.

When I woke, I was already with a band of rogue wolves, too far from home to return.

For ten years, I never forgot him. I never forgot my parents who once loved me, nor the little sister who used to adore me.

But why was it that when I finally returned after ten years, there was no longer a place for me in my own home?

Matthew, who grew up by my side, forgot all the warmth we once shared and turned his attention to Tatiana instead.

The parents who once adored me now look at me with nothing but disdain. Only when they looked at Tatiana did I recognize the affection they used to give me. Even Tatiana, who once idolized me, now met my gaze with nothing but hostility and contempt.

I spent an entire lifetime learning one truth—what was lost could never be forced back.

With that clarity, I let out a bitter laugh and shook my head. "I've caused you a lot of trouble by clinging to you for so long. I'm sorry. I won't do that anymore."

Matthew froze, genuinely surprised as he looked at me properly for the first time. "You're really not going to cling to me anymore?"

I nodded with equal seriousness. "Really. I won't. I'll tell my father later that we should end the engagement."

Matthew suddenly exploded. "Sheila, are you threatening me with the engagement again? Just because I postponed the marking ceremony?"

He took a deep breath, calming himself slightly. "Tatiana just finished her coming-of-age ceremony. I promised to take her to the Northern Plains for two days. Stop making a fuss, okay? I already scheduled our marking ceremony for three days from now. We'll hold it after we get back."

I was ready to tell him there would be no ceremony at all, that I was leaving the Blue Moon Pack and giving up the role of his mate.

But before I could speak, he cut me off again, "Enough. I'm glad you're finally acting sensibly. The marking ceremony is settled. Tatiana has had a hard enough time already. She just wants a little trip to clear her mind. As her sister, you should understand."

I swallowed every explanation and simply said softly, "Alright."

In the villa, my parents were fussing over Tatiana's luggage. "It's your first time traveling so far. Take good care of yourself. Don't hesitate to spend money. If you run out, just call us."

"Your favorite snacks are in your backpack, and warm clothes too. Don't skip them just because you want to look pretty!"

Their voices were full of worry. My steps faltered, and a sharp, familiar ache tightened in my chest.

I was only 12 when I went missing. Back then, I had no money or shelter. I ate tree bark, fought stray dogs for scraps, and slept through winter nights in a frozen forest.

No one cared whether I was cold or hungry. Each day was filled with nothing but fear and the constant uncertainty of whether I would even survive.

Maybe I stood there too long, because Mom finally noticed me. She rubbed her nose guiltily and tried to explain. "Tatiana grew up in the pack and has never gone far. We're just worried she won't be able to adapt. Don't overthink it."

"I understand. She's younger. It's natural for you to worry about her," I cut her off gently with a smile.

Mom froze, then brightened with relief. "Shee, it's good you think this way. You've really grown up. Tatiana was spoiled her whole life. She's given us plenty to worry about."

Dad nodded. "Shee, you've indeed made progress over the past two days. This is how a true firstborn of the Truss family should act."

Tatiana shot me a jealous, taunting look. "Sheila, I'm not like you. I didn't grow up rolling in mud. Mom and Dad worry about me because they love me. You don't mind, right?"

I met her provocation calmly. "I don't mind. You're the younger one. It's normal for them to worry about you more."

She froze, unable to figure out why I wasn't reacting the way she expected.

But she didn't have time to dwell on it. Matthew soon arrived to pick her up, and the two happily left for the Northern Plains.

I didn't react at all. I simply went back to my room and continued packing. I didn't own much. In this house, almost nothing truly belonged to me.

Most of my clothes and belongings were things Mom had the housekeeper purchase at the highest prices after I came home.

Tatiana's things weren't as expensive, but every piece was chosen by Mom herself. They were perfectly fitted, comfortable, and filled with care.

On my nightstand sat the only family photo from ten years ago. I had found it buried in a corner of the basement. The edges were yellowed from poor storage. I had cleaned it every day, framing it carefully as if it were a treasure.

In the photo, my parents stood behind Tatiana and me. All of us were smiling brightly.

I stared at it for a long time. In the end, I didn't pack it.

The photo I once cherished for a lifetime became something I left behind like discarded clutter.

In less than two days, I finished packing everything. At dawn on the third day, I took my acceptance letter and walked out of the house.

...

Fresh back from the Northern Plains, Matthew hurried toward the ceremonial platform.

Tatiana tugged at his sleeve, pouting. "Matthew, can you cancel the engagement with Sheila? You love me, not her. Why force yourself to marry someone you don't care about?"

A flicker of conflict passed through his eyes, but he gently pulled her hand away. "I made a promise. That position belongs to Shee. No matter how she's changed, I won't break my word."

He firmly rejected Tatiana and headed straight for the ceremonial platform without hesitation, but no matter how long he waited, I never appeared.

Finally, one of his men rushed over with an update. "Beta Matthew, Sheila has already told the Alpha that she dissolved the engagement. She boarded a plane out of the Blue Moon Pack first thing this morning."