4

Marcus came home that evening.

He was acting completely out of character today, coming home early and replacing his usual coldness with that familiar smile I remembered.

He looked at me painting in the study, a smile playing at his lips as he slowly approached from behind, trying to kiss me.

I dodged him again.

"Sage, why do I feel like you've been avoiding me these past few days?"

Then he looked at my stomach. "Has the pup been behaving better lately? I haven't seen you having much morning sickness."

Of course there was no morning sickness.

Because the pup was long gone. He hadn't even noticed that my belly had flattened.

I laughed coldly, then turned and saw a strand of hair on Marcus's shirt. It immediately made me sick. My hair was blonde, but this strand was brown - the same color as his omega secretary's hair.

Even though he'd taken off his jacket, I could still smell the cheap perfume that Ivy always wore.

"Move away from me. I think I'm going to be sick again."

I faked morning sickness to escape the study, shutting the bathroom door behind me with relief.

To think Marcus and I had come to this point - it was truly pathetic.

"Sage, how about I come with you to your prenatal appointment tomorrow?"

Before bed, Marcus suddenly spoke up.

I glanced at his phone lying on the coffee table and said flatly:

"I'm afraid that won't work. Ivy said she's going to let you experience her new tricks tomorrow."

Marcus's face changed instantly as he snatched up his phone.

His face full of anger, he frantically typed on the screen. Soon a call came through, Ivy's voice full of tears.

"Marcus, I was wrong, please don't block me..."

Marcus was furious. "I told you before - if you can't remember your place and say nonsense in front of Sage to upset her, I'll fire you!"

He hung up and kept trying to comfort me.

"Sage, I never thought about betraying you. Ivy is just trying to drive a wedge between us. I absolutely won't let her succeed."

How could I not understand? This was clearly all an act for my benefit.

I laughed softly. "Marcus, you don't need to do this."

"We should..."

Before I could say "dissolve the mate bond," Ivy sent another video.

In it, she was covered in injuries, looking terrified, her hair disheveled across her face. Several menacing rogue wolves were following behind her.

She cried out, "Alpha, please come save me! They've been following me..."

Marcus's face immediately changed.

"Sage, I need to go out for a bit!"

I smiled. "It's fine. She's in an emergency situation - hurry and save her."

He looked at me gratefully, not even bothering to grab his jacket before rushing out.

I just lowered my head and continued painting.

This kind of thing had happened too many times. I'd slowly gotten used to it.

When Marcus returned, it was already past midnight. I'd already framed my finished painting and was sleeping deeply.

In my sleep, Marcus seemed to gently hold me.

"Sage, please believe me. You're the only one I love. I would never betray you."

"Don't worry, I've decided to fire Ivy. After I arrange some pack development matters, I'll stay home with you full-time during your pregnancy, okay?"

If my eyes weren't closed, I probably wouldn't have been able to stop myself from laughing.

Had Marcus been acting so long that he'd started believing his own performance?

Or maybe he knew I was pretending to sleep.

Maybe those words were deliberately meant for me to hear.

Or perhaps he thought I was still the same as before - that he could just sweet-talk me a little and I'd pretend nothing happened, willingly swallow all the pain and forgive everything.

But I could see clearly now.

The next day I didn't wake up until ten. When I turned over, I saw Marcus wearing an apron in the doorway.

"You're awake? Little sleepyhead, come eat breakfast."

I was somewhat stunned.

Marcus hadn't gone to the pack house office to handle business?

Looking at the full table of lavish breakfast foods, I thought I must be dreaming.

"Sage, I've been neglecting you before. We've been trying for a pup for years, and now that we finally have one, it's a gift from the Moon Goddess. I know it's been hard on you."

He pulled a healing stone ring from his pocket, looking at me lovingly as he offered it.

"Please believe me. I'll always be by your side."

I didn't reach out to take it. This scene hadn't happened in so many years that it felt foreign.

Why was he suddenly being good to me again?

Had he... discovered I was planning to leave?

That whole day, he said nothing but accompanied me through breakfast, took me shopping, and even went to an art exhibition.

Looking at Marcus in front of me, I felt transported back to six years ago when we were dating.

He used to spend time with me like this, promising to do so for the rest of our lives.

At this point, it was better to part on good terms.

"Tonight I want to go to that restaurant where you first took me when I came to Silver Moon pack. Will you come with me?"

"Of course."

Marcus agreed without hesitation, smiling.

He'd probably forgotten that today was also our mating anniversary. One last meal together - a proper goodbye.

But when evening came, Marcus still didn't show up for our date.

He was called away by another phone call from Ivy.

Before leaving, he frantically tried to explain to me.

"Sage, don't misunderstand."

"Even though I've already let Ivy go, she's making a scene about compensation, even threatening to expose pack secrets. This has gotten out of hand!"

"I have to go deal with this!"

He didn't know I'd already looked at his phone earlier.

It wasn't about compensation at all.

Ivy had messaged him saying she was pregnant and demanding he give her status, or she'd report him to the Alpha Council and ruin his reputation completely.

I hadn't said anything because I was gambling on what he'd choose.

But Marcus still left.

He didn't come home all night.

I hadn't held any hope anyway. I packed my things and left what needed to be left behind along with a note on the most visible spot - the coffee table in the living room.

I took a flight and left the pack territory.

When Marcus finished dealing with everything and returned, he didn't forget to adjust his expression. But when he pushed open the door, he found an empty room with no trace of me.

"Sage?"

"Sage?!"

He searched several times around the house, but when he couldn't find me, he turned and saw what was on the coffee table.

A transparent glass vial containing a tiny, almost-formed embryo.

Underneath it was a signed mate bond dissolution agreement and a note.

It read:

"Marcus, by the time you read this letter, I've already left Silver Moon pack. Don't look for me."

"Your pup is gone. I've signed the dissolution agreement. Finally, I wish you and Ivy a lifetime of happiness."

"Goodbye forever."

Marcus's entire body went rigid, his face deathly pale.