6

I wasn't ready to tell him the truth.

"I'm feeling a bit tired. I'm planning to leave for a few days, just to visit some nearby places. I won't go far."

I showed him the travel guides I'd been browsing.

Seeing that I was telling the truth, Damien finally relaxed his grip on me.

"That's good then. I told you that you wouldn't be so petty. It's just one healing antidote research project. For someone with your abilities, that's nothing. As an older sister and my future mate, it's only right that you look after Sera, this Omega sister of yours. Don't worry about missing this chance to become Head Healer—you can just create another breakthrough next time."

Just then, his phone rang. It was Ethan calling from the hospital.

"Damien, where did you go? Sera woke up and when she found you weren't by her side, she started hurting herself again. Her wound opened up and she's bleeding a lot. You need to come quickly."

Damien rushed toward the door, but still turned back to remind me:

"Go ahead and travel if you want to clear your head. Just remember not to go too far from home."

I smiled silently.

Don't worry. Not too far—just far enough that you'll never find me.

As he passed through the garden, Damien glanced at the pile of unrecognizable ashes and frowned. His heart still felt uncomfortable.

But he quickly dismissed the feeling.

Since I had already been so heartless, he didn't need to feel guilty about someone like me.

Still, for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that I was hiding something from him.

"Stop overthinking," he muttered to himself. "Where could she possibly go?"

"Right now, taking care of Sera is more important. I can't afford to be distracted."

Thinking of Sera, Damien turned and left me behind once again.

---

Over the next few days, I broke away from my old social circle and joined a group of young werewolves, touring all the famous sights in the city.

Surrounded by people my own age, the atmosphere was wonderful.

We watched sunsets from mountain peaks and sang around campfires under the stars.

Here, I wouldn't be hurt by family ties or romantic love anymore. I increasingly felt that people ultimately had to live for themselves.

The last stop of my trip was an auction evening, where historically valuable crystals and gemstones would be displayed and sold.

As a healer, I enjoyed observing various healing stones, hoping to gain inspiration for developing new werewolf remedies.

I had just found a seat by the window, preparing to quietly admire today's precious collections, when I saw familiar figures entering the auction house.

It was Sera.

Today was also the day of Sera's discharge from the hospital. She walked in accompanied by Damien and the Blackwood men.

Damien wanted to commemorate her discharge by bidding on a rare blue crystal healing stone for her.

They found the most prominent seats and sat down.

Champagne, gifts, cake—they had prepared many things for Sera.

These were all things I had never possessed, now laid out before Sera like she was a little princess, for her to choose from at will.

Father took a glass of wine from an auction house staff member and offered it to Sera. Damien looked worried.

"Uncle Marcus, Sera's wound just healed. Alcohol will slow her wolf's responses and weaken her healing abilities. Don't let her drink."

"How can that be? On such a wonderful day, no one's drinking with me. How about you have a couple glasses for her, Damien?"

"Brother, don't worry about me. A little bit won't hurt." Sera leaned close to Damien's ear gently. "Uncle is happy today. I don't want to spoil his mood. Just let me drink."

The intimate way they behaved looked completely like a loving mated pair to outside observers.

Seeing this, Ethan immediately started egging them on.

"If you don't want to drink, how about you two kiss instead?"

Father's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes! You two kiss and I won't make Sera drink."

Sera's face immediately turned bright red.

But she didn't refuse.

Instead, she glanced at Damien.

Her eyes held seductive allure, and her chin tilted up slightly.

As if she was waiting for something.

Damien felt his mouth go dry from the seductive look in her eyes. Just as he hesitated, Sera suddenly leaned forward and initiated a kiss on his lips.

Damien hadn't expected Sera to be so bold. His first instinct was to push her away.

But when that soft, warm body pressed tightly against him, he finally surrendered to her advances. He couldn't help but respond with rapid breathing, returning her kiss passionately.

The family cheered and applauded around them.

"Finally!" Father laughed loudly. "I was wondering when you two would stop dancing around each other."

"About time, brother," Ethan grinned. "Sera's been perfect for you from the beginning."

In the corner by the window, I sat frozen, watching the scene unfold.

Damien's hands had come up to cup Sera's face as they kissed. Her fingers tangled in his hair. They looked lost in each other, completely forgetting the world around them.