"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.

They were sitting on the sofa, speaking in low voices. Seraphine laughed brightly, her smile blooming like a flower.

Raelor noticed the wooden box in my hands and asked instinctively, "What are you carrying that box for?"

"Just some discarded medical records," I replied casually. "I brought them back to burn."

Raelor nodded. His gaze swept across the now-empty room, confusion flickering in his eyes. "I’ve only been gone a week. Why does it feel like so many things are missing?"

I placed the box in the corner and answered calmly, "I just cleared out some unnecessary clutter."

Raelor seemed about to say something, but Seraphine spoke first, "Freya, thank you for being so generous. Thank you for agreeing to let Raelor accompany me to human territory, and for letting him try on the ceremonial robes with me. You helped me fulfill a dream."

There was a faint trace of pride in her tone.

"To thank you for taking care of us, I’d like to treat you both to slow-roasted stag haunch tonight. Oh, and Raelor asked me to move in. I hope we can get along well."

I glanced at the luggage stacked in the corner. I had only just emptied the space, and she was already moving in.

My nose stung slightly, but I still nodded. There was no point in engaging in meaningless conflict.

In five days, I would be leaving this territory forever. Right now, I only wanted to finish the loose ends before I left.

Seeing my silence, Seraphine’s eyes reddened instantly. Tears shimmered along her lashes.

"Raelor, is Freya upset? If she doesn’t want to join us, it’s fine. After all, you two are about to complete your Marking Ceremony. It really isn’t appropriate for me to move in…"

At her words, Raelor’s brows drew together at once. He looked at me with displeasure. "Seraphine sincerely wants to thank us. Why are you making that face? It’s just a meal. She can’t handle emotional stress in her current condition."

Before I could even speak, Raelor had already judged me guilty.

In the end, he dragged me along to the pack’s grillhouse.

The server came to ask what cuts of meat we preferred.

Before I could open the menu, Raelor spoke first, "No strong herbs. Cook the meat thoroughly. And none of the dishes should be bitter."

When the dishes were served, Raelor carefully cut Seraphine’s meat into small pieces with a knife. Then he pushed a plate of freshly grilled fish toward me.

"Seraphine can’t have river-caught fish while she’s carrying. I ordered this for you."

I looked at the steaming plate and set down my fork.

"I’m allergic to river-caught fish," I said.

Raelor’s hand froze midair.

In the five years we had been together, I had broken out in rashes more than once from accidentally eating river-caught fish. Once, I even went into shock. Each time, I treated myself.

I thought he knew. Now I understood. He had never remembered.

Yet he knew Seraphine’s dietary restrictions by heart. Even small details like avoiding bitter food were etched into his memory.

How ironic.

Raelor hesitated. When he looked at me, a trace of awkwardness flickered across his face. He called the server back and ordered several more dishes.

I did not touch my fork again and simply drained the water in my cup.

Raelor assumed I was sulking and did not bother with me.

After the meal, we walked out of the grillhouse.

The wolf communicator at my waist vibrated.

It was Master Eryndor.

"Freya, I need to confirm once more. Have you decided to participate in this research as planned? This project involves countering the damage silver weapons cause to werewolves. If successful, you will be remembered in our history. But the cost is that you will have no contact with the outside world for six months."

My gaze settled on the two figures walking side by side ahead of me.

Raelor was carefully guiding Seraphine down the steps, his hand hovering protectively at her waist.

My voice was calm. "I’ve decided."

Eryndor exhaled in relief. "Good. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to part from your Alpha."

I withdrew my gaze and turned in the opposite direction. "I haven’t told you yet. The Marking Ceremony has already been canceled. I’m ready to leave."

The words had barely left my mouth when a confused voice sounded behind me.

"Who’s leaving?"

Raelor had just helped Seraphine into the carriage and happened to walk back in time to hear my last sentence.