Chapter 3

Sera's POV

Airport speakers blared repeated boarding calls for passengers bound for the Maldives.

Corbin lunged forward and snatched my wrist, anger sharp in his tone. "Sera, cut this out! It's nothing more than an accident. We can fix this—don't throw a tantrum. You're meant to be our Luna one day."

Vera piped up behind him, her apology dripping with fake, watery sorrow. "Sera, I'm truly so sorry. Tell me what I can do to make this right..."

Not a single ounce of genuine remorse laced her voice.

I wrenched my arm free of Corbin's grip, saying nothing, and hauled my suitcase toward the exit.

Corbin's irritable shout chased after me. "What exactly do you want from me? Vera's beside herself with guilt, she already knows she messed up."

"Sera, I'm asking you one last time—are you coming? Keep this up, and I'll board that flight with Vera for real. Do you think this childish stunt will make me cave? It won't work!"

I listened to every word he spat out, and not a single one held an apology for hiding the flight booking from me, or for letting Vera mix up all our travel details on purpose.

Before I stepped outside, I glanced back at them.

The bitter joke of it all hit me cold—just to spite me, he'd actually boarded the plane with Vera.

I was painted as the unreasonable, overreacting one.

My heart turned utterly cold, numb to the point where I couldn't even feel the ache anymore.

---

It was well past midnight by the time I reached the mansion.

I stood staring blankly at the front door.

I'd overseen every inch of the renovations myself, every corner filled with all the hopes I'd clung to for what I thought would be home.

I twisted the key and pushed the door open; the house lay dead silent, frigid and empty.

I hurried upstairs to our shared bedroom and packed all my belongings.

At the same time, I shot a text to my parents telling them I was heading back to Frost Pack.

The second the message marked sent, my phone lit up again.

Corbin's text popped onto the screen.

[Don't stay mad. I'll book you the next available flight out here, okay?]

[If you don't feel like coming, stay home a few days, I'll bring you souvenirs when I get back.]

Once upon a time, I would've scrambled to rationalize his actions, convinced myself he loved only me. Now it all just struck me as ridiculous.

Starting today, I live solely for myself.

As for that broken mating bond and the two people off gallivanting in the Maldives? Let them have each other.

I brought my official documents to the pack admin counter to file my departure paperwork, and the staff member double-checked with me repeatedly.

"Ma'am, are you certain you wish to revoke your official status within Wren Pack?"

I gave a firm, unwavering nod.

"I'm certain."

"Very well. The termination will take full effect in three days."

Right then, my phone buzzed.

This wasn't Corbin. It was Vera.

I'd had no intention of opening it, yet some twisted urge made me tap into the chat anyway.

Vera: [Sera, are you alright? I'm so sorry about everything at the airport. I was so scatterbrained and caused a huge fight between you and Corbin.]

[Corbin's furious, but he still cares about you deep down.]

Vera: [Just buy a flight to the Maldives and drop this petty argument, okay? It's so warm here, the ocean's such a vivid blue. Corbin took me to the seafood market, and he said he's taking me diving tomorrow!]

Diving?

A hollow bitter laugh rumbled in my chest. That trip underwater was the special outing he'd promised only to me.

My fingers squeezed the phone so tight my knuckles blanched white.

She knew exactly what she'd done—she'd masterminded this entire fiasco—and now she feigned peacemaking, every line practically screaming how much fun she and Corbin were having together.

I didn't bother typing a reply. I blocked her number outright.

Over the next few days, Corbin's texts slowed to one every other day, shallow half-hearted checks-in:

Corbin: [Your anger's got to wear off by now. The pack's been asking why we didn't come back together.]

Corbin: [Sera, drop the attitude. Vera and I are heading back to the territory tomorrow.]

Corbin: [When I get home, we'll reschedule our trip. Just the two of us. I swear this time I'll make it perfect for you.]

My eyes caught the phrase "Vera and I," and I tugged my lips into a lifeless flat line. I didn't even have the energy to sneer. They left as a pair, of course they'd come back as one—how perfectly predictable.

Three days later, the paperwork fully cleared, and I boarded a flight bound for Frost Pack.

Mid-flight prep, another message from Corbin popped up.

Corbin:[Sera, Vera and I are home. I brought you souvenirs, I know you'll love them.]

Corbin:[Where are you now?]

I read his messages with complete calm, then typed a single reply.

[Call off the mating ceremony. We're done, Corbin.]

Then I pulled my SIM card straight out of my phone and walked toward my boarding gate.

There would be no second chances, Corbin.

Goodbye to the delusion that I'd ever been truly loved.