Chapter 4

I stood frozen in place.

The eastern side of the forest had originally been abandoned land. Since it was close to the border of the northern territory, wild beasts and rogue packs frequently roamed there. The soil was also barren, so almost no one wanted to claim it.

I'd been the one to tell Dad, "Give me the land in the east. I'll make it valuable again."

For three years, I'd personally led werewolves in clearing and developing areas suitable for living. I'd even turned the abandoned land into a place where herbs could grow.

I planted and grew every single blade of grass and plant there.

Dad had once told me that this land would be mine to own independently after I came of age.

Yet now, he was casually telling me to give it to Wendy.

Wendy screamed with excitement. "Really? Does that mean I can have the construction crew build my private estate there? I love that place!"

I couldn't help but ask, "What did Wendy prepare for my coming-of-age gift?"

The smile disappeared from Wendy's face. Her cheeks turned red, and tears filled her eyes.

"Nancy, I'm not as capable as you, and I'm not in good health. There's not much I can give you. I don't want your land anymore."

Mom's expression immediately darkened.

"Nancy, how could you ask Wendy for a coming-of-age gift? Are you deliberately trying to embarrass her? You know perfectly well she has nothing to give you."

I looked at Mom calmly.

"Then I refuse to give her the land either. I built that place from the ground up. Why should I give it to her?"

Mom clearly hadn't expected me to refuse. She froze for a moment before angrily blurting out, "Then don't expect us to give you our blessing at your coming-of-age ceremony!"

Before today, her words might have broken my heart, but I'd already decided to leave Black Wolf Pack. I had no intention of holding my coming-of-age ceremony here anyway.

Nina would prepare an even grander ceremony for me in the northern territory.

"Think carefully. A coming-of-age ceremony without your family's blessing means you won't receive the Moon Goddess' protection."

"Fine. She can have it!"

Since I was leaving, the land no longer meant anything to me.

If Wendy wanted it, she could have it.

Wendy's face lit up with a victorious smile while my parents sighed in relief.

They thought they'd once again forced me to compromise and that I was still completely under their control. They had no idea that I was already planning to give up everything in the pack, including them.

I went back to my room and packed my things. There wasn't much that belonged to me.

There were a few items of clothing, some books, and the old protective amulet I'd already taken off.

I glanced at the gold wolf-bone pendant one last time before placing it on the table.

Right then, I received a message. It was from Steven.

[Come to the Forest Diner tonight. It'll be just the two of us. Let's have a celebration dinner.]

Ever since Wendy had cried about not wanting to be separated from me, Steven and I hadn't gone on a date alone in a long time.

After deciding to leave, I'd already planned to break up with Steven.

That's why I accepted his invitation. I intended to break the news to him in person.

I arrived at Forest Diner at eight that evening and ordered the roasted venison he liked.

At half past ten, I texted him to ask when he would arrive. There was no response.

At midnight, I called him. There was still no answer.

By two in the morning, the restaurant was already dead silent. Two or three waiters sat in a corner while yawning in turn.

By five in the morning, the sky was already getting bright. One of the waiters finally approached me with an embarrassed expression.

"Miss, I'm sorry. We're about to close."

Only then did I receive a text from Steven.

[Something came up tonight. Let's reschedule.]

At the same time, I noticed that dozens of messages had already flooded the family group chat.

Wendy had posted a photo.

In it, she was wearing a beautiful black cloak with a crescent mark.

"I'm so grateful to Steven! He got me this custom-made cloak from a northern territory designer. He even went to several different stores just to have it made the way I wanted!"

I stared at the photo for a long time.

The cloak Steven had personally promised to have made for me had ended up with Wendy.

'Forget it. I don't want the cloak or him.'

I stood up, grabbed the suitcase I'd packed long ago, and took a cab straight to the largest airport in Black Wolf Pack.

Since he wasn't coming, there was no need for me to say goodbye. From this day forward, I would have nothing to do with anyone in Black Wolf Pack.