Evelyn's POV:

"Damn, that hurts so much!"

Even more silver arrows were flying toward me. I quickly moved out of the way, but I still got struck by a few more arrows.

My wounds were burning, and the pain was indescribable. My wolf howled loudly in pain and agony.

The pure silver tips of the arrows were eating into my flesh, making it feel as though I was burning all over. I couldn't even get back on my feet anymore.

"Evelyn!"

After the ambush was over, Callum finally released Iris and walked toward me. There was a slight panic in his eyes. "Does it hurt? I'll bring you to the wolf doctor at once!"

I looked up at him. I was in so much pain that I couldn't even get a word out.

"Oh my god, Iris! You're terribly hurt!" Lily suddenly screamed.

As soon as Callum heard that, his attention was immediately drawn to Iris. He then rushed back toward her and saw that she had a few faint scratches on her arm.

It sure seemed like she was "terribly" hurt.

Iris pulled her arm away from Callum and shook her head, her eyes turning red.

"I'm fine. Ms. Severa's wounds look more serious than mine. Get her to the wolf doctor first."

As soon as Lily heard that, she immediately stood up for Iris. "Cal, why are you still hesitating? Iris got hurt by the silver arrows! Don't you know how dangerous it is? What if she gets a terrible infection?"

Callum frowned. Finally, he looked back at me with a briefly conflicted look.

"Iris has a weakened immune system, so I can't let anything happen to her."

Callum spoke lightly, but I heard every single word he said.

The next moment, Callum picked Iris up and spoke to me without even looking back. "Tend to your injuries by yourself. I'll tell the medics to pick you up in a bit."

I watched as the three of them disappeared into the night, feeling a blunt yet pounding pain in my chest. My body still felt as though it was being consumed by fire as the pain intensified. Still, I gritted my teeth and stubbornly refused to let myself shed any tears.

A while later, the wolf medic finally arrived. He looked at me pitifully as I was close to death. After wrapping my injuries up in some simple gauze, he then brought me to the wolf hospital for emergency treatment.

Wounds caused by silver-tipped weapons didn't heal easily. The doctor was stern as he attended to my cuts and wounds, saying, "These are considered very serious silver wounds. Luckily you managed to wrap them up with gauze in time.

"It's also sheer luck that you don't seem to be having an infection anywhere, even internally. However, you'll need to constantly take medications so that your wounds don't scar permanently."

"Such a poor thing! I heard that Mr. Wolffang rushed Ms. Howley into the hospital and booked out the most expensive ward for her."

Two nurses passed by, and I heard them whispering among themselves.

"She just got a tiny scratch or two, but yet, he still insisted on getting the best wolf doctor in the hospital to treat her."

"Isn't that right? I heard that he stayed with her the whole time and even postponed his meeting with the heads of the other clans."

"If only I had a boyfriend who liked me as much as he likes her!"

"Haha! Keep dreaming, silly. A man like him would only appear once every million years or so!"

…

Once every million years or so?

I chuckled to myself.

A man who abandoned his heavily wounded wife to attend to his first love with barely a scrape on her skin? Sure, a man like him would only appear once every million years indeed.

After the wolf doctor was done bandaging me up, I thanked him and walked out of the hospital alone.

At that moment, I received an email notification on my phone. I opened it up and saw that it was a message from the university I was going to attend, informing me that I had been accepted into their program.

The email reminded me that I should have all of my forms and identification documents with me during enrolment.

After so many years, I was finally taking the first step to leave the Wolffang clan and their territory behind. I was doing this for the sake of my freedom.

As soon as I got home, I headed straight for my treehouse which was just a while away. This was my private, personal hiding place that nobody else knew of.

The moon shone brightly through the windows of my treehouse. It was very beautiful and ethereal.

I sat down, grabbed a pen, and put up with the pain as I started filling up my forms for my intake.

This was the very first time I was communicating with the world using my own identity instead of as Callum's wife.

With every blank space I filled in, I knew that I was going to be facing even more hardships and challenges on the way. However, I had to do this to escape this suffocating marriage and no longer rely on Callum's protection anymore.

For three whole days, I never left the attic in my treehouse. I used all the time to fill out every form needed for my enrolment into university.

When I finally turned my phone back on again, I instantly received countless missed calls and text message notifications. Each call and text were from the same person—Callum.

I was puzzled. Why would Callum be trying to find me like a maniac?

Just then, Lily happened to call me.

"You fucking bitch! Where the hell are you? Cal's going crazy because of you!" Lily screamed. She sounded like she was making fun of me as she continued, "You're hella delusional if you think that doing this will make Cal care more about you. In your damn dreams, bitch! He belongs with Iris!"

She hung up before I could even get a word in.

I was long used to Lily's barrage of scathing and humiliating words. However, I just didn't know why Callum would be looking for me so frantically. Was it to determine if I was dead or alive after that ambush of arrows? Or, was it to officially tell me that he was kicking me out of his house?

I even had a thought that I must be mistaken, because Callum would never spend any of his time looking for me. However, the 108 missed calls on my call log proved otherwise. It seemed as though Callum was really desperate to find me.

####CHAPTER-NAME:

Evelyn's POV:

I finally went home with a stack of enrolment documents in my arms, feeling as conflicted as ever.

As soon as I stepped foot into the house, the maids crowded around me at once. They looked shocked and very pleasantly surprised that I was back. Some of them even nearly cried.

"Mrs. Wolffang, you're finally back! The house has been a mess ever since you left. Mr. Wolffang has been in a terrible temper and felt dissatisfied with everything we did. He's already shouted at us many times since…"

I cocked my eyebrow as I listened to the maids' grievances. So, the house had been in a mess since I left?

"He should get used to it," I said in a low, nonchalant voice. "Soon, he's going to have to get used to me not being in his life anymore."

I comforted the maids for a while before walking in. It was dark in the house, as none of the lights were turned on. The only source of light was the moonlight faintly shining through the windows onto the ground.

Callum was seated on the couch, alone, the glow from the moonlight illuminating his prominent facial features. His eyes were cold and sharp as he looked at me piercingly.

"Where have you been these days?" he asked in a low, displeased voice.

I didn't answer him right away. I just put my bag on the table while taking my coat off. Then, I said, "I've been reading up on some medical articles."

Callum frowned. "Medical articles? Why the sudden interest?"

It wasn't a sudden interest. I had been a top-performing student who was slated to attend medical school had I not agreed to do Kiera the favor to repay her generosity.

Had it not been for him, I would have already been an accomplished and well-respected wolf doctor by now.

However, I chose not to tell Callum about it. I just poured myself a glass of water as I answered nonchalantly, "There's nothing wrong with reading up on medical articles. I could perhaps even save my own life in emergency situations. Don't you agree?"

When he heard this, Callum massaged his temples and said, "Evelyn, I didn't abandon you on purpose the last time. It's just that Iris has a weak body and cannot afford to get hurt in the slightest bit. She'd cry her eyes out if she got so much as a scratch on her skin, what more if it was from a silver arrow.

"I grew up with her and got used to taking care of her. That's why I brought her to the hospital first."

I had been the one who got stabbed by a dozen silver arrows, but yet, he made it sound as if Iris was the one more seriously wounded instead.

Seeing that I didn't say anything in return, Callum continued, "You didn't object to it initially, so why did you suddenly run away from home? Iris' house has been fully renovated now, so she's already moved out. Don't kick up a fuss over things like this anymore."

Callum's tone toward the end sounded like he was pinning the blame on me.

I didn't know if he was blaming me for running away from home or for my "pettiness" that caused his first love to move out.

Either way, I didn't care anymore. I just hummed simply and set down my glass before heading upstairs.

"Evelyn Severa!"

Callum suddenly jumped to his feet and looked at me longingly.

"I'm hungry. Make me some food. Your food tastes better than anyone else's."

What a sick joke!

I raised my left arm, which was still tightly wrapped up in bandages, and replied in a light manner, "You must have forgotten that my hand is still hurt."

Callum was stunned. It was as if he'd just remembered that I had been gravely wounded and would still have injuries all over.

I turned around coldly and went upstairs, leaving Callum frozen in his spot.

The next morning, I opened my room door and saw Callum standing at the door with a set of car keys in his hand.

"This is your compensation."

Callum spoke calmly as he rubbed his fingers on the key ring. "About last time… I'd been too busy taking care of Iris that I forgot about you. I just bought this car from an auction. I think it's the model you like.'

He tilted his chin upward, pointing toward the sports car parked outside the house. I followed his line of sight and saw a very sporty car in a shiny pink chrome color dazzling under the sun, looking like a billion dollars.

I stayed rooted in my spot and didn't take the keys from him. I stared at the pink car with a conflicted look in my eyes.

It had been five whole years, and this was the first time Callum had ever given me anything as a present. However, it was only because he felt bad about something and wanted to make it up to me.

"I remember that you liked this color," he added confidently.

A cold smile appeared faintly on my lips. I hated the color pink. It was Iris' favorite color, not mine.

"Look, Iris! Look at this! Cal got a surprise for you!" Lily exclaimed, suddenly appearing with Iris next to her.

Lily's eyes lit up when she saw the pink sports car outside the house. She yelled excitedly, "Oh my god, Cal! Isn't this the color Iris said she totally loved? Did you purposely have it custom-made for her?"

Iris stood by Lily's side, smiling shyly as she lowered her head to hide her excitement.

Callum frowned slightly. His gaze flickered between Iris and the car as if wanting to explain something, but he just couldn't.

I knew Callum too well. He just couldn't tell her that this car was actually for me. I stepped forward, took the keys from Callum, and handed them to Iris.

"Since you like it so much, you should take it."

"Evelyn…" Callum called out to me in disbelief. He stared at me, his dark, obsidian eyes swirling with conflict.

"I don't need you to make anything up to me, Callum," I said, looking back up at him coldly.

Callum was stunned.

I had changed. I was no longer the meek, mild-mannered woman he used to know. She wasn't coming back, ever.

####CHAPTER-NAME:

Evelyn's POV:

I had completed all of the documentation needed on hand. Finally, I could leave today. So, I began packing up my things.

While in the middle of packing, Callum's guard, Brutus Fay, delivered a custom-made dress and an intricate necklace to me, inviting me to the Moonlight Ball tonight.

I found it ironic as I stared at the dress and necklace in Brutus' hands.

Callum and I had already broken our mating oath to the Sovereign Moon and ended our relationship, but Callum still had no idea and wanted me to attend the ball as his partner.

I wanted to reject the invitation at first. However, it was the Moonlight Festival tonight, a very important observation among the pack.

Callum was an Alpha who had to host the ball with his mate. I didn't want him to feel humiliated if I were to be absent. However, this would also mark the final time I would ever appear in public under this identity.

I stood before the mirror, touching the necklace Callum sent. The necklace was made up of many tiny diamonds in clusters and looked stunning on me. I quickly went to put on some makeup before the ball.

The venue was abuzz with werewolves. Bright, dazzling lights shone in every corner, casting a brilliant glow over everyone in the hall. Glasses clinked as pleasantries were exchanged, the smell of champagne and wine hanging in the air.

Right in the center of the crown stood Iris and a group of other elites.

The bright emerald green necklace shining brilliantly on her neck was very noticeable and attracted attention wherever it went.

"Iris, Callum is treating you so well. The necklace is so beautiful!"

"That's right! I heard that this is the only necklace of its kind in the world. I saw on the news that some mysterious billionaire had won it at an auction. I never thought that it was Callum!"

"It's been so many years, and yet, Callum still hasn't forgotten you. I remember that he used to always hunt and cook for you. Once, when you both quarreled and you gave him the cold shoulder for days, he got so antsy that he came around to us begging for ways to win you back.

"He even came looking for me once! Ah, you should have seen him back then, his eyes all red and desperate. You just ignored him for a few days, and it nearly took his life away!"

"Iris, I think no one else will ever love you as much as Callum ever will. When he learned that you mated with someone else, he almost gave up on living! But now that you're divorced, I'm sure that he won't want that lowly wife of his by his side anymore. You should both just get together now."

"Exactly! You should get together. You belong together!"

…

I stood in the corner as I listened to the group reminiscing about how good my mate was to another werewolf.

"Evelyn."

It was Kiera. She called out to me with a smile as she came up to me.

Honestly speaking, the only person I would ever miss in this pack was her, and that was it.

"Evelyn, I've already made all the necessary arrangements for you once you've left to go abroad. Your enrollment is a little early, so I've also bought you the flight ticket there. The plane leaves in about three hours. Is there anything else you need from me?"

I looked at the documents in my hand and felt my heart grow heavy. My hands shook as I imagined the freedom in my new life that was waiting for me.

Still, I suppressed my emotions and tucked the documents away safely.

"Thank you, Mrs. Wolffang, for everything you've done for me. I'm beyond grateful. I just have a small request. If Callum learns about this next time and asks about my whereabouts, please tell him that you don't know."

I no longer wanted to see Callum again for the rest of my life.

When Kiera heard this, she was quite shocked. "You didn't tell him that you were leaving?"

What was I supposed to tell him? That I had purposely gotten close to him, not because I loved him, but because I was taking orders from his mother as a favor to repay her for her kindness to me? That I had done all of this to help him forget Iris and help him get back on his feet again?

Or, was I supposed to tell him that I was divorcing him, going abroad, and never coming back?

Would Callum even have cared? He hadn't blinked an eye when he signed the divorce agreement I gave him.

His first love had come back, and that was all that mattered. He probably wouldn't even notice if I left him.

I smiled at Kiera and said, "There's no need for that. I just want to leave as soon as possible. I don't want any other hiccups to happen."

"Who's leaving where?"

Callum suddenly emerged from behind me. I didn't know if he'd managed to overhear our conversation or not.

Luckily, Kiera hurriedly changed the topic and said, "Nothing. What are you doing here?"

"It's time to go onstage," Callum said, looking at me coldly. "You are my mate. You have to host the ceremony with me. Have you already forgotten your duties?"

Kiera just rubbed her temples and said, "Oh, yes, I forgot about that. Evelyn, hurry up and go onstage with him. Everyone's waiting for you."

The rest of the ceremony went on without a glitch. Callum stood onstage as he gave his speech, sounding powerful and authoritative. Meanwhile, Iris stood right next to him, while I was squeezed into a corner.

After the ceremony, the whole hall erupted into applause. I had finished my duties on stage, so I turned to leave.

"Where are you going? Have you also forgotten that you're supposed to give out the supplies to them with me for the Moonlight Festival? Do you even know your duties as my mate?" Callum roared.

I shook my head and lifted my injured arm.

"No, thanks. My wounds are still recovering. You can get Iris to help you instead.

A hint of suspicion appeared in Callum's eyes. He couldn't seem to fathom what I said.

"Why would I want to get her to help me instead?"

I suspected that Callum must be having some form of amnesia. Why else would I tell him to find her? Wasn't he the one who always abandoned me for her anyway?

He had secretly done so much for Iris in the past five years. Now, I was just giving him the chance to be out in the open with her. Why was he now looking at me in disbelief?

I just smiled and said, "Because you're both very close. It's just handing out supplies, anyway. It's nothing much."

Callum saw that I was still smiling and didn't look angry, so he didn't say another word as he went over to Iris and whispered something in her ear.

Iris blushed and nodded bashfully, holding his arm as she went back onstage with him to give out the supplies.

A romantic melody began to play as they ascended the stage. They looked like they were the ones who belonged together as mates, not me.

Before I could even leave, I suddenly heard Callum's friends cheer loudly and yell, "Kiss that girl! Kiss that girl! Kiss that girl!"

I turned back to look. Callum looked very happy when everyone pushed him toward Iris. They looked like they were about to kiss.

My wolf let out a loud, angry howl, wanting to tear out and claw Iris' face into shreds.

####CHAPTER-NAME: