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.