Chapter 7

The next day, Isabella sent me a message: "Meet me at the Sacred Grove. We need to talk about making peace."

The Sacred Grove was where the precious moongrass grew,essential for stabilizing werewolf power.

When I arrived, Isabella was already there, standing near the thorny barriers that protected the moongrass.

Her scent carried something artificial, sharp.Her scent carried something artificial，she had taken some kind of herb that would create violent power reactions.I should have been suspicious, but I was too emotionally drained to care.

"I want us to start over," she said, though her eyes held no sincerity.

"How?"

"Hahaha, do you really believe I want to make peace with you?" Isabella's voice turned vicious. "just like your naive mother!"

my wolf stirring dangerously at the insult.

"Don't. Bring. My mother. Into this." Each word came out as a growl.

"Or what?" Isabella stepped closer, her face twisted with malice. She shoved my shoulder hard. "Face it, Seraphina,you're nothing but a cheap replacement who overstayed her welcome!"

My control wavered, my hands clenching into fists, but I forced myself to step back.

"There it is!" Isabella laughed, noting my reaction. "The real you: violent, jealous, exactly what I told Kieran you were!"

She suddenly grabbed my wrist, her grip surprisingly strong. "You want to know the truth? I've been planning all from the day I returned. I made sure you'd take the blames!"

Before I could react, she yanked my hand forward and slapped herself with it, using my own palm against her cheek. The sound rang out clearly.

"What are you…" I jerked my hand back, horrified.

"At least I didn't spread my legs for four years just to be discarded like trash!" Isabella quickly scratched her own arms with her nails, leaving red marks, then stumbled backward toward the thorny barrier.

She deliberately caught her sleeve on a thorn,just enough to tear the fabric and create a small scratch, not deep enough to cause real harm. Then she knocked over several moongrass plants with her foot.

"Help!" she screamed as the thorns tore her skin. "Seraphina attacked me! She's destroying the sacred moongrass!"

A pack member emerged from hiding,he had been waiting, watching. "Help! Seraphina pushed Isabella into the barrier!"

Within minutes, Kieran arrived, his Alpha power radiating murderous fury. He found Isabella bleeding and unconscious, the precious moongrass trampled around her.

"Seraphina." His voice was deadly quiet. "This time you've gone too far."

I realized Isabella had orchestrated everything,the location, the herb, the witness, even her own injuries. But Kieran's eyes held no doubt, only disgust.

"You need time to think about what you've become," he said coldly.lifting Isabella gently in his arms. His touch was careful, protective,the same way he used to carry me when I was hurt.

As he walked away, I made my decision.

That night, I quietly gathered my few remaining personal belongings and left. I left behind everything Kieran had given me. They belonged to a life that was never truly mine.

Just as I was about to leave through the back entrance with my small bag, I nearly collided with someone in the dimly lit hallway.

Isabella was supposed to be resting after her "injuries," but here she was, fully alert and walking without assistance.

"Going somewhere?" she asked softly, her eyes taking in my bag and traveling clothes.

I met her gaze steadily. "You got what you wanted."

Isabella's lips curved in a satisfied smile. "Did I? Or are you just running away like a coward?"

"Think whatever you want," I said, stepping past her.

"Seraphina," she called after me, her voice carrying false sweetness. "Don't worry about Kieran and the house. I'll take very good care of everything."

I didn't turn back.

By dawn, I was already on a transport heading to the distant territories, far from the Morgrave lands, far from Kieran, far from the memories that had nearly destroyed me.

For the first time in four years, I was free.