Five years ago, when Jakob had proposed to me, he had looked at me with those same devoted eyes.

I still remembered he was also wearing the same sharp black suit, holding a bouquet of blue roses. He then proposed with a ring that was one-of-a-kind in the world.

He was even teary-eyed when he proposed to me.

"Cynthia, I swear I'll only love you. I'll take care of you. No other woman will ever find a place in my heart. So, please. Bond with me and be my mate, alright?"

I let out a bitter laugh. Then, I broke into tears halfway through.

Everything was a lie. The vow was a lie. Taking care of me was also a lie.

Even love could change…

Tessa couldn't bear to look at me as she gently wiped the tears from my face.

"They're gone, Cynthia. Should we still follow them?"

I shook my head. "Let's go."

"I didn't want to stay here for another second.

Tessa originally wanted to send me home, but I refused her. "It's fine. I know you're worried about me, but my mind's a mess. I need some time alone."

Tessa didn't console me anymore. She knew how I felt.

Once she left, I wandered the streets without aim.

It was during deep winter and the temperature had dropped below freezing. I had only come out wearing a light coat.

But compared to the chill I'm feeling on my flesh, my heart was even colder.

I didn't know how long I'd walked before my phone buzzed again.

It was from Jakob's account.

I tapped them open. Three sweet wedding photos entered my eyes, almost blinding me.

One was when they got out of a car. Jakob was holding up the skirt of Molly's wedding gown as she smiled smugly.

Another one was when Molly was in Jakob's arms. The two of them were intimately close together.

The final one was when Jakob went down on one knee, holding out a dazzling diamond ring.

Molly texted, "We took our wedding photos today, and he even prepared a ring for the proposal. I was so touched. He even came and met my parents. They were very happy with Jakob. Other than being unable to form a mate bond, we had already completed all the procedures. To be honest, I don't mind you being a Luna. Since he'll just throw you aside and always come to me. Just you wait."

Molly's sneers were like blades, stabbing straight into my heart. I froze, unable to respond.

After a long while, I finally forwarded the photos and chat record to Mia, along with a message, "Show these at their wedding."

Then I switched my phone off as I walked on the streets with my mind clouded.

My mind was so consumed with everything that had happened that I couldn't even move when I finally realized a car had lost control and came right at me.

There was an explosion of pain. And then, only darkness remained.

I didn't know how long it had passed. When I once again opened my eyes, all I could smell was the sharp smell of antiseptic typical of medical settings.

Jakob was slouching over the hospital bed, gripping my hand. He instantly noticed when I stirred.

He looked at me with frantic eyes, filled with fear and regret.

"You're finally awake, Cynthia! Do you feel pain anywhere? Should I call the healers? I'm so scared…"

I turned my head slightly, my eyes falling on Jakob.

His clothes were all wrinkled and his eyes were red. It was obvious that he had been staying by my side for a long time.

His pain was also genuine, like he wished he were the one suffering the injuries and not me.

But all I felt was disgust.

When I looked at his face, I was reminded of him taking those wedding photos with Molly.

'Jakob… Which is the real you? I can't trust you anymore.'

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you feeling pain anywhere? I'll get the healer right away!" Jakob immediately got up, but I stopped him.

I asked him in a hoarse voice, "Why are you here?"

Jakob was stunned by my question.

When the healer called, he was dining with Molly and her parents. When he heard about my accident, he didn't hesitate when he rushed over, leaving Molly and her family behind.

Thankfully, my wolf was quite powerful, and most of my injuries were healed, so I was mostly fine.

He then said, "I was having dinner with my business partners. We were finalizing details for a big project, but when the healer called me about the accident, I came right away."

I repeated parts of his sentence. "Dinner with your business partners?"

Jakob held my hands up to his cheek, as if trying to show his vulnerable side. "That's right. Business talks are quite exhausting."

Another lie.

I closed my eyes slowly and didn't offer him any comforting words.

Jakob accompanied me, but his phone suddenly started ringing.

He decisively hung up the call, but the other side kept on calling. The caller didn't seem to want to give up.

Jakob had no choice but to switch it to silent mode and started typing away with his head low.

A minute later, he excitedly switched off the phone and made up an excuse before leaving the private room.

It was long when Tessa walked in with a dark expression.

"Cynthia, guess who I ran into on my way here?"

It was such a simple question. I sighed. "Jakob?"

Tessa furiously said, "He left you alone and went out after what happened? I quietly followed him and noticed that he and Molly went to the gynecology department. Jakob was practically grinning when Molly received her pregnancy report!"

I looked down with a thought in my mind, but my expression didn't show any hint of being upset. "I see. Molly's with pup?"

Tessa looked at me carefully. She felt something was off with my reaction.

"Aren't you upset? You don't have to act strong in front of me."

I revealed a pale smile. "No… There's something you don't know. Jakob has a genetic condition. The best healer once told me he could never have his own pup."

Three years ago, Jakob and I tried our best for one entire year.

I thought I was the problem, so I secretly went for tests at the hospital.

The result was that Jakob had a congenital infertility disorder.

I couldn't sleep that night. I couldn't accept that I'd never have my pup.

I even hid this truth on Jakob's behalf. Telling the outside world that I was the one with the problem, and I could only have my own pup after long-term treatment. All because I was worried that Jakob's dignity and reputation would be ruined.

But now, after seeing Jakob being so excited for a pup that wasn't his, it made all my effort to hide this for him feel meaningless.

"What?! That's huge news!" Teresa almost jumped out of her seat after hearing what I had to say.

Then, her eyes narrowed as she came up with an idea.

"Let's see here. You're going back to the Palemoon Pack in five days, so we'll pretend we don't know about the pregnancy. Once the baby is born, we'll send Jakob his own infertility report. He will be so regretful he'll go insane."

The next day, Jakob didn't show up at the hospital.

Mia came to my private room. After she reported to me about the preparation for the wedding, she was hesitant about mentioning something else.

I frowned. "Tell me what you have in mind."

Mia then whispered, "When I went to the villa this afternoon to take some files, I saw Molly walking out of the bedroom in your sleepwear. Luna, you've always been kind to me. I simply can't ignore this. That's why I want to tell you about this first."

I felt utterly crushed.

I was still in the hospital, and Molly couldn't wait anymore and moved into the bedroom that Jakob and I shared?

No wonder Jakob told me to inform him before being discharged, so he could pick me up.

I gritted my teeth, and my throat almost closed up. I could hear the ragged sounds of my breathing.

"Thanks. I understand."

Three days before my departure, Jakob came to visit me early with a flask of chicken soup.

"I asked the chef to make it. It's made the way you like it. Have a taste."

I didn't refuse and ate the soup slowly.

He simply watched me with a smile as he waited at the side, as if the sight of me eating was enough to make him happy.

But I knew it was all fake.

After he left, I pulled out a memory sphere that I had asked Mia to buy for me from a sorcerer. Then, I watched what had happened at the villa.

In the living room, Molly was complaining about wanting to go shopping.

It was raining, and the roads were slippery. Jakob, worried that she would fall and hurt the pup, simply contacted all the shops selling luxury branded goods to come to the villa to let Molly choose.

He even had a shop selling pup clothing to bring over their collection for newborn pups.

I stopped crying. Tears had little value. It was worth so little that it couldn't change anything.

I quietly wondered how the alpha that I used to trust wholeheartedly had become someone like a stranger.

I could barely recognize him now.

That night, the pack elder, Elder Sam, came to my private room in the hospital.

"Luna Cynthia, your mate bond termination request will take effect soon. Are you leaving the Blackflame Pack?"

"I'm sorry, but I've already decided. If you miss me, you can always find me at the Palemoon Pack."

Elder Sam sighed and looked at me with sadness. "I'm deeply saddened that you're leaving. As a goodbye gift, I've asked for the help of the sorcerer to ensure you and Alpha Jakob feel no pain when your mate bond is severed.

"Cynthia, it's not that you're not good enough. Instead, you're the best. So much so that people simply take and forget that you need to be cherished, too."

"Thanks," I said as I looked at the mate bond termination agreement. Then, I turned to Mia and said, "Make a copy of this and put it in a gift box labelled as 'Second Mate Bond Gift'."

It was time for this seven-year bond of torment with Jakob to end.

Two days before my departure, Jakob showed up with a bouquet of sunflowers and a charm that supposedly cost a million dollars.

I was recovering well, and he personally helped me put on the charm with a bright smile on his face.

"I've asked the healer. You can be discharged tomorrow. I got this protection charm just for you. It'll keep you safe."

I looked at the charm around my neck coldly, and my fingers slowly brushed over the engravings. I knew this was another lie.

Last night, Molly's belly was in pain. So, Jakob sent Molly to the hospital and asked for a pup protection charm.

As for my protection charm, it was just an afterthought as he bought it from the sorcerer.

I adjusted the charm so that it would be far from my heart.

Just like how Jakob was no longer close to my heart.

After Jakob left, Mia came to make her report.

"Luna, the wedding invitations are all ready. After you leave, I'll have the others send the invitations on Molly's behalf."

She paused and then said in hesitation, "Alpha Jakob had just bought the villa behind yours for a very high price."

I frowned. "Wasn't there someone living in that villa at all times?"

"That's right, Luna. But Alpha Jakob paid a fortune to get the family to leave. I heard that Molly's name was the only name on the property deed. It is a gift for her pregnancy."

I pressed my lips, my heart hurt so much it was numbing, but my expression remained calm.

Jakob was preparing to secretly dote on Molly so that she could live a life of luxury just like a Luna.

I should have known.

He had never been mine alone, just like he promised.

That evening, I watched through the memory sphere as Molly unwillingly ordered her maids to pack up her things to move into the new villa at the back.

And then, it was the last day before I left Jakob.

Jakob came to pick me up early in the morning.

He buckled my seatbelt and smiled, "Today's your birthday, Cynthia. I've arranged everything. The party starts at seven. Remember to invite your friends."

I nodded. "Sure."

The car rolled into the neighborhood. After four days, I was finally back home.

Everything looked the same, as if Molly had never lived here.

But when I walked into the master bedroom, I noticed that there was lipstick on my dressing table. It had been used.

The lipstick that was intentionally left behind was like a statement.

I should have felt anger, disappointment, and pain. But nothing. There was only silence.

Even my wolf couldn't make any excuses for this bond anymore.

I didn't stay long in the master bedroom when a servant called me down for my meal.

At the table, Jakob peeled a fruit and held it to my mouth.

He was so gentle, affectionate… Just like he had been with Molly, two days ago.

I chewed slowly and saw the softness in his eyes. I suddenly asked, "If… Just if… If I leave you one day, will you feel sad?"

Jakob's hand shook and the fruit dropped on the table. Then, he turned to me sharply, his voice filled with anxiety. "How can you even say that, honey? Sad? I'll go crazy! Just hearing the world leave makes me feel like my heart is being ripped out."

He then held my hand tightly, like he was afraid I would really disappear.

At that moment, I had to admit. I hesitated.

His words were so moving, so sincere. My thoughts of leaving were stopped when he said he would go crazy.

However, his phone played a tone in the few moments I hesitated.

I looked. It was a message from Molly.

"My vagina is bleeding! It hurts! Honey, is our pup going to be okay?"

There was a flash of panic in Jakob's eyes as he immediately stood up.

"Cynthia, there's something wrong with the party setup. I'll head on over to handle it. I'll pick you up for the party later.

He turned to leave, but I suddenly grabbed his hand. Then, I gave him a faint smile. "Goodbye, Jakob."

He suddenly turned and looked at me. But before he could say anything, I had already let go.

Something inside Jakob jolted.

In the past, his reflection was the only one that filled my eyes. But there was only silence in my eyes now. He wasn't even sure when it started.

"Cynthia, just wait…" Jakob wanted to say something again, but his phone rang.

Jakob frowned and hesitated. In the end, he chose to turn and leave.

I watched him leave, and I thought, 'No. No more waiting.'

I went to the master bedroom, grabbed all my documents, and tossed the protective charm into the bin. Then, I called Mia.

"Jakob is away with Molly. I'm leaving the pack now. Once I leave the Blackflame Pack, proceed as planned."

"Understood."

An hour later, I had crossed the Blackflame Pack's border. Then, I sent my parents my location.

I then texted Jakob.

[I prepared two gifts for you tonight. I hope you like them.]

Jakob immediately replied, [I'm so excited! I'm still finalizing the party setup. I'll personally see that they prepare the perfect birthday banquet for you. Give me a minute. I'll come pick you up soon.]

I shook my head. Then, I replied, [No need. I'll go to the hotel myself.]

But I wouldn't go, of course.

I pulled out the SIM card and tossed it into the bin. I had destroyed every way he could contact me.

Goodbye, Jakob.

From this moment onward, you would never see me again.