That day, I gathered several friends I had grown up with and told them the Marking Ceremony was canceled.

Everyone around me knew how obsessed I had been with Raelor. When they heard the news, they were so shocked they nearly dropped the wraps in their hands.

"Freya, haven’t you waited so long for this day? Why would you suddenly give up Alpha Raelor?"

"Is the Council of Elders pressuring you? Or… is this because of Seraphine?"

A bitterness I couldn’t quite put into words spread through me.

How could severing this bond ever be easy?

The truth was that this relationship had been unbalanced from the beginning. Whether Raelor was an ordinary wolf or now the Alpha, I was always the one looking up at him, chasing after him. He had never once truly lowered his head to look at me.

Even this ceremony had been something I asked for. Back then, Raelor had said he disliked complicated rituals. He thought they were nothing more than hypocritical performances for the pack.

It was only because I insisted that he reluctantly agreed to hold a small internal ceremony, inviting only the Council of Elders and close friends.

I once believed that since I could wait for him to nod and agree to form the Mate Bond, I could also warm his heart over the long years ahead.

I was willing to wait for the day he would fully open his territory to me. I believed we would continue walking side by side like that.

However, ever since Theron died three months ago, everything changed.

The hidden, ugly thoughts that had been buried beneath the surface rose up with Theron’s passing.

I finally understood. Raelor was not born cold. In front of Seraphine, he never hesitated to show warmth, but when facing me, I was nothing more than a shadow beneath his scepter.

That wasn’t even the most important part.

The most chilling truth was that, on the surface, he pretended to discuss caring for Seraphine with me. Behind my back, he had already marked her and bred her, and she was carrying his pup.

He treated me like a fool.

Today, I realized that whatever future Raelor and I might have had, it had already been destroyed by that gestation report.

I didn’t tell my friends the truth. I only said that I had received an invitation from the Obsidian Pack and would be leaving to further my healing studies, so we might not see each other for a long time.

To keep the farewell from turning heavy, I stayed with them by the bonfire and drank cheap barley ale until late into the night.

When I returned to our residence, Raelor had just come back as well. The unmistakable scent of Seraphine clung to him.

When he immediately caught the mixed smell of low-grade ale on me, his brows drew together. He stepped back two paces in visible disgust and lifted his sleeve to cover his nose.

"You’ve been fooling around again with those low-ranking friends of yours. Stay away from me, Freya. Don’t bring that stench of ale into the house."

A faint, self-mocking smile curved my lips.

He was probably worried that the scent would cling to him and that Seraphine wouldn’t like it. After all, she was now carrying a noble pup.

I said nothing and turned into the bathroom.

When I came out, Raelor was sitting on the sofa, holding his wolf communicator and replying rapidly to someone. His brows were soft, his gaze full of laughter.

I glanced at the screen where Seraphine’s name was glowing.

While I was bathing, the two of them had been chatting the entire time.

Not wanting to humiliate myself further, I turned toward the bedroom, ready to rest.

Unexpectedly, he called out to me, "Freya, there’s something I need to inform you about."

My steps halted.

The last time I heard the word "inform", it was when he told me he intended to breed Seraphine and leave behind a pup.

What could possibly be more excessive than that now?

"You don’t need to go to tomorrow’s ceremonial robe fitting." Raelor’s voice sounded behind me.

I looked at the calendar on the wall. Under tomorrow’s date was a simple sketch of a long ceremonial robe. It was the day we had scheduled to visit the tailor and try on our ceremonial robes.

I did not know why Raelor suddenly canceled, but it suited me perfectly. I had never planned to attend this ceremony anyway.

I nodded, my tone calm. "Alright."

Raelor paused. He clearly had not expected me to agree so readily.

In the past, even the slightest change would have made me anxious. I would have asked questions immediately, afraid he might be displeased.

He fell silent for a moment. Something unnatural flickered through his eyes before he masked it.

"It’s not canceled." After a brief pause, he continued, "It’s Seraphine. She said since Theron is gone, she may never have another chance in this life to wear ceremonial robes. She wants to try them on with me and take a few keepsakes, so she won’t have regrets."

His tone was flat, as if he were discussing how to divide the evening’s hunt or as if it were the most ordinary suggestion in the world, just like the day he informed me he intended to mark Seraphine.

On the surface, it sounded like a discussion. In truth, the certainty in his voice made it clear he had already decided. My feelings were irrelevant.

Unbeknownst to him, there was no future left for us.

I answered softly, "Alright."

Then I turned and walked into the bedroom to prepare for rest.

If I was no longer meant to be the leading she-wolf of this ceremony, then it no longer mattered who Raelor tried on robes with.

Raelor watched my retreating back. His brows drew together faintly. An inexplicable irritation stirred inside him.

I was too calm. Unnaturally calm. I had not even questioned him.

He had prepared explanations and comforting words. He had even braced himself for an argument.

Instead, I gave him nothing. It felt like throwing a punch into empty air, as though something important was slipping quietly through his fingers.

The next morning, when I woke, Raelor was already dressed for departure.

As he adjusted his bracers, he said, "After the fitting, Seraphine and I plan to spend a few days in human territory. They have professional prenatal guidance there, which will benefit the pup.

"As for the Marking Ceremony, keep it simple. I don’t have time to concern myself with altar arrangements or offerings. Decide everything yourself. There’s no need to consult me."

I continued organizing my belongings and replied lightly, "Alright."

Keep it simple.

There would be no ceremonial robes preserved in memory. No guests. No priestess blessings.

There would not even be a leading she-wolf.

Seeing how compliant I was, Raelor seemed to reconsider something.

After a moment, he added, as if attempting compensation, "After the ceremony, if you want, we can go to human territory and watch a movie. I remember you’ve always wanted to."

In the past, hearing Raelor propose going to a movie would have made me leap with excitement. I would have immediately started checking new releases.

I had asked him many times before to accompany me, but he always refused, claiming he was too busy with pack matters. He said he disliked the clamor of human society.

Now I simply continued sorting through my things without even lifting my eyes.

Raelor watched me pack and found it strange. He was about to say something when his wolf communicator lit up.

Seraphine was urging him.

He merely said, "We’ll talk when I return."

Then he hurried out.

I watched his figure disappear through the doorway.

My gaze drifted to the waste bin. Inside lay the only photograph we ever took together, torn cleanly in half.

It was a pity that in his eyes, there was only Seraphine. He had not even noticed.

I walked to the calendar and picked up a pen. Over the little robe icon marked "fitting", I drew a heavy cross.

Twelve days left.

For the next seven days, Raelor truly did not return, just as he had said.

Nevertheless, I still knew exactly where he was. Seraphine’s pack forum was filled with updates.

Aside from attending prenatal guidance sessions, the two of them checked in at various scenic spots, tasted desserts Raelor had once claimed he disliked, and stood side by side watching the sunrise.

I saw a version of Raelor I had never known.

He behaved like an ordinary male wolf. He would smooth her hair back into place, bend to tie her shoes, show not the slightest impatience, and never once carry that air of superiority he always wore.

So it was never that he did not know how to do those things. He simply did not want to do them for me.

With a bitter smile, I shut off my communicator.

The faint warmth still lingering in my chest finally cooled completely.

…

I had not been idle these past few days.

Raelor and I had lived together for years, and there were countless belongings. I spent three full days clearing everything out.

During that time, I also returned once to my old home in the outer territory and told my parents that I would be leaving for the Obsidian Pack’s Nightfall Healing Order. For the next few years, we might not be able to stay in contact.

After hearing this, my father, Brennar Ashwyn, set down the tools in his hands, his brows tightly drawn. "Isn’t your Marking Ceremony with Raelor next week? Leaving now means giving up the position of Luna."

My mother, Elira Ashwyn, held my hand with worry in her eyes. "Freya, think this through. Raelor is the Alpha. If you disappear without a word, he may issue a pack search order. He might even sever ties with you completely."

I understood their concern.

For the past twenty years, my devotion to Raelor had been known throughout the pack. More than once, my parents warned me that Raelor’s ambition outweighed his affection. They told me to leave myself a path of retreat.

Back then, I believed that as long as I did well enough, he would eventually look back at me.

Now, I was the one choosing to let go.

I did not mention Seraphine being marked or carrying a pup. I only said that I wished to pursue higher healing arts.

In the end, my father lowered his head and patted my shoulder. "As long as you don’t regret it."

After returning to the residence, I asked my friend, Lyndra Shadowfen, to help me move the packed belongings.

We made several trips, carrying everything to an abandoned mine pit and throwing it all in. The residence became empty.

Lyndra stood still, staring at the bare walls. She remembered the night Raelor announced he would hold the Marking Ceremony with me. I had dragged her to the bonfire and drank with her until dawn, saying my wish had finally come true.

Now, so soon after, I was preparing to vanish completely.

"Are you serious?" she asked, her face full of worry. "I thought you were just speaking out of anger when you said you were canceling the ceremony. You chased him for twenty years. Now you’re suddenly letting go. What happened?"

I told Lyndra everything that had occurred over the past month: the marking, the pup.

Lyndra kicked at Raelor’s portrait with force. "Ungrateful dirtbag!

"You saved his life more than once. You helped him all these years. And before your Marking Ceremony, he goes and marks another she-wolf? And expects you to accept it? What the hell is he thinking?"

I looked around at the hollowed-out home. Something inside me felt hollow, too.

Five days remained before the marking.

I submitted my resignation letter to the elder in charge of the pack’s Healing Sanctum.

To stay by Raelor’s side, I had once given up the opportunity to study at Obsidian and remained in this remote Silvermoon Pack as an ordinary Healer.

The other Healers were shocked when they heard I was leaving.

"Why so suddenly, Freya?"

"Just a few days ago, you were giving us gifts. Are you planning to focus on being Luna and stop practicing medicine?"

Holding the wooden box that contained my notes, I shook my head. "No. The ceremony has been canceled."

Their mouths fell open in surprise. They tactfully asked no further questions, but the pity in their eyes stung.

By the time I returned to the residence, night had fallen. I pushed the door open.

Raelor and Seraphine were back.