Chapter 3

It wasn't because Tyler was worried and messaged me.

It was because, in celebration of Vivian's birthday, he had set off silver-blue fireworks at the Moonlight Festival that could be seen across Centrum City. It had even made it to the front page of the Werewolf World Council Gazette.

…

I didn't return home until early in the morning. The lights were on in the living room, and Tyler was fast asleep on the couch.

Was he waiting for me?

In the five years we had been together, he had always come home completely drunk. I had always feared he might get into an accident while drunk, so I would call him countless times. I would also worry that too much drinking would affect his health, so I always prepared a hangover cure in advance.

Tyler had told me countless times that he didn't like me doing these things, his reasoning being that it made him feel like he was getting old.

Perhaps he heard the sound of me opening the door, but as I felt my thoughts drift away, he suddenly opened his eyes. The moment he saw me, he leapt up and rushed over, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Where did you go? Why didn't you answer me? Did you know I already called the cops?" he questioned anxiously.

I froze for a moment, then pulled away from his embrace. "My phone froze and broke that snowy day when I was waiting for you, so I didn't get your call."

Upon hearing me mention the snow, Tyler seemed to recall what had happened that day too, and a rare trace of guilt flickered in his usually sharp gaze. He pursed his lips before awkwardly pulling out a wolf fang-shaped jewelry box and handing it to me.

I took it instinctively and opened it, only to see a moonstone engagement ring inside.

I suddenly froze. Once upon a time, I had imagined it countless times—on a moonlit night, Tyler would appear at the entrance of the Office of Werewolf Mate Affairs, take my hand, and slide a ring onto my finger.

But that was in the past. Now, my heart was as calm as a still lake.

I quietly closed the lid and placed it on the table, saying, "Thanks."

Tyler stared at me, frowning, as if he couldn't understand my indifference. "What's going on…"

I glanced at him, somewhat detached. Maybe in his imagination, I should have gasped and cried upon seeing the ring, and then put all my grievances and unhappiness behind me.

At that thought, I smiled mockingly and said in a deliberately perfunctory tone right to his face, "Oh wow, I'm so touched. Are you satisfied now?"

I thought he would give up at that point, but I didn't expect him to grow angry and humiliated.

"Ginny, all I did was take Vivian to see the Werewolf Council Office. Plus, I already agreed to be your mate, so how long are you going to keep making a fuss?"

I wasn't intimidated by his stormy expression and stayed calm, replying, "You misunderstood. I'm just tired."

His expression finally shifted. It was the first time he truly sensed my distance from him.

Tyler bit his lip and reached out to grab my hand, but suddenly, his phone rang shrilly, cutting off his motion.

It was a call from Vivian.

He glanced at me, about to explain, but I spoke first. "You're busy with your work. There's no need to explain. I understand everything."

I sounded so understanding that it caught him completely off guard, unsure how to respond. He gripped my hand tightly, as if trying to figure out what I was really thinking.

However, the ringtone kept getting louder and sharper. In the end, under my gaze, he let go of my hand.

"For the 101st proposal, I'll go to the Office of Werewolf Mate Affairs in person."

With that, he hurriedly left.

I went back to my room to rest as if nothing had happened and slept the most peaceful sleep I had had in five years.

Once I completed the handover of my duties and left Centrum City's Werewolf Council, he would never be able to find me again.