Chapter 3

I went to the old manor, intending to retrieve my mother's final belongings. But the moment I stepped through the door, my father threw a travel pass for the outer territories at my feet.

"Your stepmother and I have discussed this. Isabella's final days require complete rest and Kieran's undivided attention. You'll temporarily leave the main territory and stay with the Gray Wolf Clan for a while."

I understood perfectly,my father was clearing space for Kieran and Isabella. Only with my gone could they be alone together without pretense.

"Seraphina, please don't misunderstand. We only want Isabella to complete her final journey in peace..." my stepmother's eyes reddened with the same tired excuses that had grown stale in my ears.

I cut my off flatly: "I understand. I'll leave."

Kieran,I no longer wanted him. This family,I no longer cared for it.

My father seemed surprised by my quick agreement. His tone softened slightly: "We're preparing a birthday party for Isabella in three days. You are, after all,my daughter . Remember to attend."

"Fine."

Back at the home I had shared with Kieran, I began silently gathering everything connected to him:

The necklace he'd crafted from his first hunt's prey fangs.

The temporary pack insignia representing my "mate" status,a symbol that had never truly held meaning. The shared claw blades we had forged together after full moon hunts...

Without hesitation, I threw each item bearing false memories into a wooden chest, as if disposing of something contaminated.

Just as I closed the lid, familiar footsteps echoed from the entrance. Kieran had returned. His gaze immediately locked onto the packed chest, pupils contracting as an inexplicable unease drove him forward.

"Sera, what are you doing?"

I kept my head down, not even lifting my eyes.

"Isn't Isabella moving in? I'm clearing my things so she won't be upset seeing them."

Kieran grasped my wrist, using the momentum to pull me into his arms.

"Are you still angry with me?"

"No."

"You're truly terrible at lying."

Kieran lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"I've told you countless times,I'm only acting for her benefit. If I truly wanted her, she never would have escaped four years ago!"

"Kieran." My voice was soft but each word crystal clear. "You know better than anyone whom you truly wish to marry."

Before he could respond, his phone rang sharply, drowning out my words.

Kieran glanced at the caller ID and answered immediately.

"Isabella? What's wrong? Don't panic, I'm coming right now!" The anxiety and concern in his voice were unmistakable.

Leaving only "She's in bad condition, I have to go," Kieran rushed out without another glance at me or the packed chest.

Shortly after Kieran left, I received a message from Isabella:a photo.

Kieran knelt on one knee beside Isabella's bed, carefully applying a glowing "Moonlight Salve" to her delicate ankle. The precious healing ointment could ease the agony of power depletion in werewolves. His movements were gentle, his expression focused,treatment I had never received.

I suddenly remembered asking him once to apply simple salve when my own power fluctuations caused my pain. How had Kieran responded then? He'd frowned over his paperwork without looking up: "If you can't endure such minor pain, how can you be worthy of being my woman? Handle it yourself."

Then came Isabella's follow-up message:

"I only mentioned my ankle hurt, and Kieran immediately fetched the Moonlight Salve to treat me. He said he couldn't bear for me to endure even such small pain."

"Sister, has he ever shown you such patience?"

"Stop deceiving yourself. From beginning to end, the only one he has ever loved, ever cherished, is me."

I stared at the messages, icy sensation spreading from my fingertips to my heart, freezing the last vestige of warmth into solid ice.