Chapter 4

I stayed in the hospital for a few days.

Ethan didn’t contact me once.

No texts. No calls. Not even a token “Are you okay?”

The only one who called was the finance director.

His voice trembled with panic, careful in a way that didn’t sound like someone who’d worked under me for years.

“Luna… no, Nora.”

“Alpha… his spending in the overseas resort territory has already passed ten million.”

I leaned back against the hospital bed and stared at the heavy gray sky outside the window.

“Let them.”

The finance director clearly panicked harder. “B-but Nora, if this keeps going, the Pack’s public account will completely run dry!”

“The South District joint project is about to settle the first payment.”

“If this money gets used, we’ll breach contract immediately and trigger the penalty clauses!”

My voice stayed calm. “Do Alpha and the elder know?”

There was a pause before he answered quietly. “They said… it’s fine.”

“They said as long as you’re here, you’ll fix it.”

I let out a soft laugh.

“Then breach it.”

I cut the line and checked myself out of the hospital.

Today was the seventh anniversary of my mother’s death.

And the final day of the vow I made when I signed the wolf contract.

I bought a bouquet of the white roses she loved most and went alone to the Pack cemetery in the western outskirts.

But when I stopped in front of the familiar spot, my whole body went rigid.

The photo on the headstone was a stranger.

And the name carved into the stone—

Julie White.

Ann’s biological mother.

The blood in my veins froze in an instant.

Behind me, a familiar laugh sounded.

“Nora, you’re here so early.”

Ethan’s voice.

He was pushing Ann’s wheelchair with exaggerated care, moving so slowly as if even the slightest bump might startle her.

I raised my hand and pointed at the cold headstone, my voice shaking.

“Where’s my mom?”

Ethan frowned, clearly displeased by my reaction.

“Nora, keep it down.”

“Don’t scare Ann.”

He shielded Ann behind him, and only then did he explain at a leisurely pace:

“Ann had a dream a few days ago. She dreamed Julie said it was too cold over there.”

“I had the Pack astrologer look at it. Your mother’s original plot is one of the few sunny-facing spots.”

“So I had Julie moved here.”

My father came up behind them with his cane, looking as justified as ever.

“Your mother never liked the sun when she was alive.”

“You were the one who insisted on this spot in the first place.”

“Now it works out. Give it to Julie. Everyone gets what suits them.”

I stared at the three of them—

like I was watching the most ridiculous farce.

“Then where is my mom?” I asked, each word sharp and slow.

“Her ashes have been moved to the public burial section in the back.”

Ethan’s tone was casual, almost dismissive.

“Don’t worry. I arranged everything.”

“Your mother won’t be left without a place to rest.”

Ann peeked from behind him, timid.

“Nora, don’t be mad…”

“My mom is your elder too.”

“She’s the baby’s biological grandmother now—part of the Smiths and part of the Browns.”

“Taking care of her is also fulfilling Auntie’s wish.”

“Exactly.”

My father tapped his cane against the ground.

“You promised your mother you’d take care of the Smiths and the Browns.”

“Now Julie White is part of this family too. You can’t play favorites.”

They used the vow I had honored for seven years to force me to accept all of it.

I stared at the unfamiliar headstone for a long, long time.

Then, suddenly, I smiled.

I didn’t argue. Not a single word.

I turned and walked toward the public burial section at the back of the cemetery.

With the caretaker’s directions, I found my mother’s tiny niche—so small it didn’t even have her name carved yet.

I lifted the cold urn into my arms and turned to leave.

When I passed them, I didn’t slow down.

Ethan seemed to think I’d compromised again. His tone softened.

“Nora, stop sulking like a pup.”

“Come back to the territory tonight. Let’s have a proper family meal.”

“Ann even prepared a gift for you.”

What a— generous gift.

I walked faster.

I left their nauseating voices behind me.

Before I left, I changed my last name—

back to my mother’s: Miller.

Then I placed the dissolution certificate of the mate bond on the nightstand in the master bedroom.

Confirming that between me and Smith, between me and Brown, between me and this Pack—

there was nothing left.

Holding my mother’s urn, I boarded a flight overseas.