4

The next morning as I was seeing Derek off, my phone calendar sent me a notification.

I glanced at it quickly, suddenly remembering today was when I was supposed to visit Mom's grave.

My parents had dissolved their mate bond when I was very young. My father didn't love my mother—he had been secretly involved with another woman for years and had even fathered a daughter with her who was older than me.

My mother raised me alone, improving her healing abilities through countless battles. I had sworn to work hard so I could become her support one day.

But my luck was bad. I became the target of bullies at school.

Even though I hadn't done anything wrong—perhaps my clothes offended them, or maybe something I said one day made them hold a grudge.

I didn't dare tell my mother. The teachers couldn't control them, and the more I fought back, the worse it got.

The day they cornered me, I had some destructive thoughts. The rough feel of a brick in my bag gave me a small sense of security.

The lead girl's contemptuous gaze fell on my face, about to pronounce judgment on me.

Then Derek appeared.

He was smart enough to know this wouldn't be a one-time incident.

He deliberately protected me, deterring them from trying again. Thanks to him, I passed through three years of middle school safely.

That's why I followed him without hesitation, getting into the same college, becoming a better person.

But I was one step too late.

Just as Derek was my light, he had once found his own light too.

Sarah.

Who also happened to be my half-sister from my father's side.

I brought flowers to my mother's grave. Now she was gone, before I could become her support. I sat in front of her tombstone for almost an hour, speaking briefly to her, keeping many unspoken words bottled up inside, just silently keeping her company.

Taking a taxi back, as I approached the pack house entrance, I spotted them from a distance.

Sarah and Derek walking side by side. I don't know what they were talking about, but I saw my typically cold mate with the corner of his lips turned up, the smile reaching his eyes with genuine warmth.

I froze in place.

As they laughed together, a dirty little stray cat suddenly darted out from the bushes, meowing loudly at Sarah.

They both stopped. Sarah tried to pet it, but the cat jumped up at her legs, startling her and sending her scrambling toward Derek's arms.

Derek steadied her with his hand on her waist, but quickly released her.

As he turned his head, he caught sight of me standing not far away. Sarah reacted even faster than he did: "Willow!"

I walked over stiffly. Before Sarah could say anything, I bent down and picked up the dirty cat.

The little cat seemed startled too, burrowing into my arms but not struggling.

"Derek," I said, smiling at him. "I want to keep it."

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

I just kept smiling and repeated: "I want to keep it."