2

After checking into the hotel, I submitted an application to dissolve our mate bond via email to the Alpha Council. After being abandoned and hurt time and time again, I finally made up my mind to leave Gabriel and the Blackwater Pack.

Then I contacted Elder Marcus. I had worked under him when I first joined the pack. He was not only the head of the Blackwater Pack's research institute, but also the mentor who guided me to become a healer. He was my only family in this cold pack.

“Elder, thank you for your guidance,” my voice was hoarse but unusually firm. “I've made my decision. I want to join the Alpha Council's secret project to research anti-silver poisoning potions for werewolves. This is a great undertaking that can benefit the entire werewolf world. I'm willing to live in anonymity and dedicate my life to it.”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, followed by a sigh.

“That classified research project?” His voice suddenly lowered. “You know what this means. Once you successfully join the project, you must cut off all contact, erase all past traces... even leave the Blackwater Pack. There's no turning back. Are you... really sure about this?”

“I'm very sure.” I looked out at Helsinki's gloomy sky, raindrops winding down the window. “Researching anti-silver poisoning potions has been my childhood dream, to save countless pack members. This is the path I should take. As for other things...” I paused, swallowing the sob in my throat, “irrelevant people are not worth changing my direction for.”

“Sigh...” A long sigh came through. “Since it's your choice, I respect it. But dissolving a mate bond is a big matter. No matter what, before you leave... have a proper talk with your Alpha.”

His tone was full of heartache and reluctance. I hummed in response, silently wiping away the tears that spilled from the corners of my eyes.

“Yes, I'll handle it properly. Take care of yourself.”

After hanging up, I lay on the desk and cried hard.

Looking back on these years as Gabriel's mate, we had so many memories. When I first met him, his bold laughter on the training ground; his clumsy but serious appearance when he proposed to me...

I thought we would be together for life. I never expected that later there would only be his abandonment of me again and again.

The pitter-patter of light rain started outside the window. I took out the travel guides and dresses I had prepared from my suitcase and destroyed them without hesitation.

Shortly after we were bonded, war broke out at the borders. As Alpha, he worked tirelessly day and night. Often I would guard the empty house until dawn, when I'd finally hear him return covered in dust and the scent of blood. His uniform buttons would be undone, and he'd collapse on the sofa, falling into deep sleep within seconds.

Naturally, there was no time for mating ceremonies either. Even now, I've never had a proper Luna ceremony or mating photos. But I still understood his hardships as Alpha and focused on carrying out my Luna responsibilities behind him - caring for pack members, mixing potions to enhance warriors' physical abilities, comforting injured pack members emotionally, and keeping our safe house in perfect order. I only hoped to become the most solid support behind him.

I watched his exhausted back and swallowed back even my complaints. But there was always a small gap in my heart - we didn't have a single decent photo together, no record of our most solemn moment as mates.

I always thought that when he wasn't so busy, when the pack was completely stable, we would definitely go see the aurora once. Without wearing uniforms representing our status, without having to respond to emergency communications at any time. Just Gabriel and Aurora. I wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and watch the beautiful aurora once.

I desperately wanted some shared memories that belonged just to the two of us - memories not mixed with territorial affairs, not interrupted by any emergency situations. That's why I was so persistent about honeymoon trips, always hoping to patch up our relationship more completely.

I just never expected that my expectations would be seen as a burden by him.

Perhaps he had complained about me in his heart more than once: As a Luna, why was I so keen on honeymoons?

In the past, I always wanted to see beautiful scenery with him and surprise him, so I couldn't tell him. Now I don't want to say it anymore.

Perhaps this is the best ending for Gabriel and me.

Early the next morning, I dragged my simple luggage through the thin mist and boarded the return flight.

The couple in the seat next to me cuddled together sharing aurora photos from their camera, laughing and whispering. Only I sat alone, looking down at this land - Finland, the place I once dreamed of most.

I will never come here again.

A few hours later, I returned home exhausted to the core area of Blackwater Pack territory.

In the entrance hall, my slippers that I had hastily kicked off yesterday still maintained the same angle as when I left, lying there lonely. The cold air was filled with deathly silence. Gabriel obviously hadn't returned all night.

This was as I expected, but irritation still rose in my heart.

In the evening, Gabriel finally stepped through the door.

Gabriel came in carrying dust and heavy fatigue, still wearing yesterday's clothes, all wrinkled. A pungent smell of disinfectant mixed with the sickly sweet scent of cheap fruit perfume hit me - that was Victoria's scent.

“You're back?” I stepped back half a step, instinctively holding my breath.

He pulled at his sweat-soaked collar somewhat awkwardly. “Don't mention it. The eastern outpost was torn open by rogue wolves last night. I spent until dawn with the team repairing and reinforcing it. I'm exhausted and haven't even had time to shower.”

“The smell is a bit strong, I'll go wash up.” He didn't dare look me in the eyes, grabbed a towel and flashed into the bathroom.

After entering the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator and paused while searching for ingredients - inside were neatly arranged strawberries and mangoes that Victoria loved to eat, while my usual herb bundles were carelessly piled in the corner, some even thrown out of the refrigerator.

I silently took out the few remaining ingredients. Just as I put the pan on the stove, Gabriel pushed the door open: “Don't bother,” he reached out to take the spatula from my hand, “I bought you a bag. Victoria said she'd bring it over on her way, just wait another ten minutes and we can eat together.”