Goodbye, My Alpha

I had not even made it home when I spotted Andrew and Louise just outside.Louise, always the wanderer, made an unexpected return to the Blood Moon Pack.Her first move was to corner Andrew right at our doorstep, her face a mix of pride and defiance. "After all these years, you couldn't even bother to tell me about the bonding ceremony? Scared I'd swoop in and take you from her?""It wouldn't matter, you'll never be my Luna."Tears sprang to Louise's eyes. "Oh, I see how it is! You've moved up in the world and found your true love? Well, hear this: being a Luna is nothing but chains and frustration, not to mention dealing with your impossible mother. I don't want any part of it! I crave dreams and the thrill of the world beyond, not you!"With a heavy sigh, Andrew drew Louise into a hug. "I know, and I couldn't stand to put you through that. That's why I had no choice but to choose Lina—she's docile and agreeable."Could not stand to put her through that?He used the excuse of p

The room erupted with laughter.Louise, hearing the jest, was overjoyed, playfully grabbing Andrew's arm. "Hey, don't be so tough on Lina. She's not like me; she hasn't traveled much or met many people. The fact that she's willing to bury her nose in books shows she's got ambition!"She craned her neck to peek at the book in my hand. "Is that a medical text? Lina, to be a healer, reading alone won't cut it. You need real-world experience and wisdom! You've got to be bold, travel between packs like I do—that's how you learn the good stuff!"Louise went on bragging about her adventures, and everyone looked on with admiration and awe.Andrew's gaze, which had been filled with irritation because of me, softened into tenderness and affection when he turned to her. "You're incredibly brave for a girl, Louise! I wouldn't even dare dream of doing what you do.""Obviously, I'm not one of those women who just orbits around home and their mate! My goal is to master the art of healing, to be

The tribal healer's revelation jolted Andrew from his groggy state into full alertness, disbelief etched across his face."She went to Northland by herself? Impossible!"His mother contemptuously snapped, "That's right! She was on the cusp of becoming the Blood Moon Pack's Luna, and she adores my son. Why on earth would she bolt to Northland? She's probably just playing hard to get, expecting Andrew to win her back with sweet talk—she's lying!"The tribal healer was just as perplexed."But… Lina confided in me a few days back that she turned Andrew down and planned to stay in Northland to study herbal medicine."The tribal healer's words cut through Andrew like a knife, straight to his already tormented heart.That explained it.'That was why she didn't bother to argue back at the restaurant. She had parted with her treasured medical book without a scene, without a major blow-up. She had been plotting her departure all along.'A gush of blood escaped Andrew's lips, and darkness

After my teacher departed, I ventured once more through the thick woods, bound for Northland. The trek through the forest went surprisingly smooth, without a hitch."How can it be this easy?"Puzzled, I glanced at the minor wounds on my hand when suddenly, a rustling sound echoed from just behind me."Dylan's been protecting you, that's why.""Who's there?!"Before I could finish, a black wolf tumbled from the tree behind me, transforming in a flash into a muscular, alluring man with a noticeable blush on his handsome face.It was Dylan.The night I harvested the magical herbs for Andrew was not as effortless as I had told my teacher.Deep in the forest, a wild rogue attacked me.Dylan was my savior, sparing me from worse harm than a mere scratch on my hand.Even then, why had he remained?"Even after dealing with every rogue on your path, Dylan couldn't stop worrying about you, so he secretly followed to keep you safe."What?A wave of nervous excitement washed over me, a

Andrew, tears streaming down his face, did not seem to realize I was not emotionally budging for him, still holding me, begging non-stop."Come back to me, please. I'm begging you, Lina. You're my mate, my Luna. I can't be without you.""That's in the past." I pushed Andrew away, his tears meaning nothing to me. "Andrew, that call about you and Louise? That was when I knew I had to leave."I did love you once, but that was ages ago. My saving you time and again wasn't out of love but out of duty. I'm a healer, after all."Your mother, Louise—I hold no grudge against them. I know if you'd stood by me, respected me, seen me as your true partner, they wouldn't have dared cross me."Andrew hesitated, stepping back as if struck.I could sense Dylan's grin from a distance, irrepressible and wide."The magical herb stands for steadfast love between true partners. We're not that, not even close. You could cover Southland in those flowers, and it wouldn't mean a thing to me."Andrew whi