Chapter 11

When Serena opened her eyes again, she was lying in a hospital bed.

A nurse changed her dressing expressionlessly. "Your injuries are severe. You'll need long-term treatment. Let your family know so they can handle the payment."

Serena replied quietly, "I don't have any family."

After that, she forced herself out of bed and went to the lobby alone to pay the bills.

The moment she stepped into the elevator, she ran straight into Caspian and Forrest.

Neither of them expected to see her there, and a flicker of panic crossed their eyes.

Caspian glanced at Serena's pale face and frowned deeply. "Why are you here?"

Serena didn't reply. She simply looked at Forrest.

The two brothers did resemble each other, but their temperaments were completely different. There was no chance of confusing them.

Caspian's expression turned complicated. He spoke awkwardly, "Serena, this is my younger brother. He just came back from out of town, so you haven't met him.

"Forrest, this is—"

Before he could finish, Forrest interrupted smoothly, "I know. Serena, right? Nice to meet you."

He smiled innocently, as though this were truly their first meeting.

Watching their performance, Serena couldn't help laughing. They really were ridiculous.

Both Caspian and Forrest frowned at her smile.

Caspian said sternly, "That's enough. The past is in the past. Behave yourself from now on and stop pulling tricks. Do something like that again, and I won't let you off easy."

With that, the brothers hurried off toward Aurelia's ward.

Serena stood in the hallway, listening to the laughter echo from down the corridor. It felt as though something inside her chest had been hollowed out.

She took a deep breath and stepped into the elevator without hesitation.

At that moment, her phone rang with a call from the pack's registration office. "Serena Sinclair, your request to leave the pack has been approved. You may depart at any time."

A sense of relief she'd never known before washed over her.

"Thank you," she murmured.

After hanging up, she rushed back to the mansion, packed her belongings as quickly as she could, and headed straight for the airport.

Sitting on the plane, she took one last look at the pack she'd lived in for so many years, then left without an ounce of hesitation.

…

One month later, Aurelia had fully recovered.

Caspian and Forrest accompanied her attentively as she was discharged. As soon as they arrived home, they received news that the Elder Council had approved Caspian's request to bond with Aurelia.

That meant Aurelia had finally gained the elders' recognition and would soon become the Luna of the Mystic Moon pack.

She was ecstatic. "Caspian, I can't believe I'm going to be your Luna! I'm so happy. I need to start preparing for our marking ceremony!"

While Aurelia was distracted, Forrest quietly pulled Caspian aside. "Now that everything's settled, when are you planning to exile Serena from the Mystic Moon pack? Before that, can you let me spend a few more days with her? I haven't slept with her in a long time. I really miss—"

For some reason, Caspian felt an unfamiliar discomfort rise in his chest. His tone turned complicated. "Do you like her body that much?"

Forrest couldn't help laughing, his expression aroused. "Of course. Everything else aside, her body's intoxicating. Honestly, Caspian, it's such a waste that you never slept with her."

Caspian shot him a glare, his agitation growing stronger. His wolf stirred restlessly inside him, darkening his expression further.

He clenched his phone tightly, suppressing his displeasure. "I'll let her know to wait at home."

He dialed that familiar number out of habit, but no one answered.

When the call continued to go unanswered, Forrest noticed something was wrong.

Caspian slammed his phone down, his face dark. "She blocked me!"