Chapter 3

I was going to relocate with my pack, so I needed to handle my work transfer. It was late at night before I could return home.

The moment I walked into the living room, I smelled the aroma of food.

I assumed and looked at Alex, who had set the table and was waiting.

"You took quite a while in the office," he commented before gesturing to the table of food. "I made something for you. You looked so thin in your dress today. You need to eat more."

His words reminded me that I had not eaten much since he asked me to be his mate, as I wanted to fit into my dress.

"You can eat. I am tired. I will go rest instead," I told him and walked upstairs.

He must have smelled the blood on my chapped heels because when I walked upstairs, he followed me with a first aid box.

For a monster, I was not sure what to do. In eight years, this was the first time he had ever shown me any kind of care.

The sudden care made me uncomfortable, so I told him the wound had already formed a scab. It seemed he was determined to be soft tonight because he left and returned with a slice of cake.

"The she-wolf is an old friend of mine I had not seen in years, so I could not ignore her. Don't worry, we will take more photos later. Don't overthink it..." He said and tried to hand me the mango cake.

“I’ve always been allergic to mangoes. It seems you forgot,” I said to him, smiling bitterly.

After all these years together, he still couldn’t remember something so simple.

He froze, then his expression hardened into that usual cold look. Without a word, he turned and stormed off.

Later that night, I saw him smiling again, except it was at his phone. I did not need an oracle to tell me who he was chatting with.

When I woke up on the day of our bonding ceremony, I was prepared to have an argument with him because I had no intention of becoming his mate.

Among werewolves, bonding requires a ceremony before the pack leader and Luna—an oracle must bear witness.

But since ours was nothing more than a sham, I figured he’d just find someone to fake the part.

I never expected to wake up alone. But that morning, he was already gone.

He did not even leave behind a note.

I already knew where to go to find the answers I needed. I took out my phone and checked Elsa's Instagram. Sure enough, she had posted a picture of her injured arm with a caption that read, Got in an attack. After ten years, you are still the first thing on my mind.

I knew all I needed to.

I spent the whole day packing my luggage. Alex's absence made it easier. He only sent a message later that day saying he was going to be working late.

I shook my head, lips trembling as I swallowed the tears clawing at my throat.

I comforted my wolf, her silent suffering echoing the ache his indifference left behind.

He didn’t even bother coming up with a decent lie. I was not his mate, so I could not trace him even if I wanted to. I saw no need to bother about him.

I spent the night at home, but he did not return all day. When morning came, I was ready to leave. I took my luggage and took a taxi to the airport. On the way I messaged my contact from my pack, Hannah, to tell her I had left.

In the taxi, I actually felt relieved that he had insisted that the wedding be small, and I did not even tell my clan he had asked me to become his mate. This saved me from dealing with the disgrace of running away.

As I entered the airport, I decided to call Alex. I felt I owed him at least that much—to tell him our bond was over.

He never picked up the call but sent me an angry voice message back.

"Just get to my pack; the Oracle is waiting. Something happened to Elsa, so I will be a bit late. Why are you acting as though I will be running away?"

I listened to his message, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

I had loved him for so long that he was all I knew.

He still thought I’d stay—still thought he had that hold on me.

With a heavy sigh, I gathered the last of my strength and sent him a message:

I reject you as my mate. Bond with Elsa instead.

Before he could reply, I blocked his number. To make sure he could not find me, I broke the mind link between us.