Chapter 1

I dragged my injured body back to the infirmary, every step a struggle against the searing pain.

I'd barely reached the door to my room when I ran into Evan.

The moment he saw me, he hurried over and reached out to wrap his arms around me.

I turned slightly, pretending to steady myself against the doorframe as I discreetly avoided his touch.

"You were just bitten by rogue wolves. Why are you wandering around? Get back into bed. Don't push yourself."

He didn't seem to notice anything unusual about me. His voice was as full of concern as ever.

I supported myself against the wall and climbed back into bed without a word.

He tucked the blanket around me, his movements as gentle as though he were handling something fragile and precious.

Once I was settled, he pulled a small wooden box from inside his jacket and opened it in front of me.

"Look! Your favorite white truffles. I dug them up myself this morning. There's still damp earth clinging to them."

I went still for a moment. Inside the box lay several white truffles, still cool from the forest soil.

They carried the scent of earth and pine needles, a fragrance unique to the borderlands.

The forest where they grew bordered another pack's territory, and few dared venture there.

Only someone with an exceptionally keen sense of smell could follow their scent and dig them up before dawn.

"You went all that way just for some white truffles?" I suppressed my discomfort, my voice cold.

"I'll have one prepared for you." His eyes crinkled with a smile. "I set off before sunrise and spent most of the day making the round trip. I brought them straight here. Aren't they fresh?"

The patients in the neighboring beds overheard him and couldn't help exclaiming.

"Your mate spoils you rotten! Going all the way to the border just to dig up truffles for you."

"Exactly! He's been here every day since you got hurt, giving you your medicine and even helping you wash up. We're all so jealous."

But as I stared at the truffles, all I could see was that night.

Harriet and I had been knocked to the ground almost simultaneously. Evan had instinctively rushed toward Harriet first as she screamed for help.

He'd yanked her behind him, shielding her with his body, even risking his own life to block the wolves' claws.

"What's wrong?"

Evan's voice pulled me back to the present.

Seeing me lost in thought, he sounded even more remorseful. "I know. You're still upset that I saved Harriet first that night, aren't you?"

He bent down and explained earnestly, "I'm sorry. I panicked. She's timid and can't defend herself, and I didn't think about you in that moment... Besides, you've always been strong. I thought those few rogue wolves wouldn't stand a chance against you."

I gave a faint, humorless smile but said nothing.

He panicked? Then why hadn't he shown the slightest hint of panic while fighting his way out with Harriet?

"Is there anything else you want to eat? I'll go get it for you."

Taking my silence as a sign that I was still angry, his tone became even more coaxing.

Just then, his phone suddenly vibrated.

He glanced down at it, and his expression shifted slightly.

"Something urgent's come up. I'll be back to keep you company later."

Before I could respond, he hurried away.

It was better that he left. At least I wouldn't have to look at that hypocritical face anymore.

After lying there for a while, I decided to step outside for some fresh air.

As I passed the room at the end of the hallway, I heard faint voices through its half-open door.

Through the gap, I saw Evan and Harriet.

He was cradling Harriet's hand as if she were badly hurt. There was only a tiny scratch on one finger, yet his brow was tightly furrowed.

"How could you be so careless?"

Harriet smiled gently. "Evan, thank you for always finding time to come see me..."

"I was just passing by." Evan cut her off, then produced an elegantly wrapped velvet gift box from behind his back. "Didn't you say you were craving something tasty last time? White truffles from the borderlands. I picked out the biggest, freshest ones especially for you."

What a joke.

So the white truffles had been meant for her all along. He'd merely set a few aside for me.

I withdrew my gaze and calmly turned away.

Not long afterward, Evan hurried back to my room.

"Where did you go? I couldn't find you. I was going out of my mind."

Would you really lose your mind over me?

"Just went for a walk," I replied flatly.

"It's my fault for being so busy lately. I've been neglecting you." He let out a relieved breath, guilt written across his face. "The fifth anniversary of our mate bond is in three days. I'll throw you a grand celebration to make it up to you, okay?"

At his words, I smiled.

Seeing that smile, Evan assumed I'd finally forgiven him, and his expression relaxed.

But he had no idea that I was smiling because, in three days, the Council of Elders would approve my request to sever our mate bond.

I had traded my agreement to join the pack's highest-priority research project for my freedom.

Once the paperwork was finalized, I'd leave this territory for good.

Once I was gone, the pack would be told that I had died, and my name would be erased from its records.

I wanted no part of a love that had already been tainted.

I wanted neither Evan nor the five years I had given him.