Chapter 3

I stood there, frozen, wanting to leave. But then I remembered—my personal documents were still locked in my room.

I said nothing. Expressionless, numb, I walked past them and headed upstairs.

As I passed by, I caught a glimpse of Kristy’s face.

She was smiling—a vicious, triumphant smile, like a predator savoring its victory.

When I opened the door to my room, I stopped cold.

It was a mess.

Kristy’s clothes were scattered all over my bed, cluttering the small space I had left for myself.

My sanctuary—invaded. Violated.

I stood there for a moment, memories rushing in like a flood.

Once, this place held happiness.

Luke and I had shared real laughter.

He’d fallen in love with me after a hunting trip and soon claimed me as his Luna.

He held a sacred marking ceremony in my honor, with the blessings of the Moon Goddess and the cheers of the entire pack.

That day was the happiest moment of my life.

Then came our twin pups—Chris and Collin.

Luke even built this den with his own hands, promising we’d grow old here together.

Back then, I believed him.

But everything changed the day he brought an orphaned she-wolf into our lives.

Kristy was only fifteen when she arrived.

And I… I truly wanted to welcome her.

I gave up my room so she could have more space and moved myself into the cramped study without complaint.

I handed her my new dresses to help her feel confident.

I asked Luke to look after her more and even told our pups to play with her, to treat her like a sister.

I took on more responsibility in the pack just so she could bond with them more easily…

I gave everything. My home. My family. My love.

But slowly, without even realizing it, the tide shifted.

My sacrifices became expectations.

And my presence… a burden.

They all began to act like it was only natural for me to keep giving, to keep sacrificing for Kristy.

And when I struggled to give more, I became the problem.

Luke grew colder, more impatient.

My pups—my own flesh and blood—began to care for her more than they did for me.

Kristy framed me again and again, always playing the victim, always so perfectly innocent in their eyes.

And each time, my family drifted further and further away from me.

All the love I poured into them…

All the warmth, the loyalty, the sacrifice—

turned into nothing but trash.

I wiped away the tears that had unknowingly drifted down my face.

Oddly, I felt… relieved.

There were only 2 days left before I could finally leave this place.

The next morning, I was awakened by a phone call from Alice, my teammate in the Werewolf Tribe.

I could practically feel her excitement vibrating through the phone.

“Hi, Christina! I just heard from Alex—you finally agreed to receive training in the Northern Territory! Is it true? I mean... you always had such a happy family—your Alpha mate, your twin pups. Are you really going to leave them?”

I replied calmly, my voice as still as a frozen lake.

“Yes. I’m going. This time, I won’t go back on my word.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! I’m so glad you’ll be training with me! When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

Just as I ended the call, I looked up—and froze.

Luke was standing outside the room, my twin pups behind him.

He stared at me, stunned.

“Where are you going?”

Before I could respond, Collin ran into my arms, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Mom, I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. I didn’t mean it. Please don’t leave us!”

Chris’s voice trembled, though he tried to stay strong.

“Mom, don’t you love us anymore?”

My heart clenched for a second.

But I steadied myself, keeping my voice neutral.

“I..I just...”

Luke interrupted me. He acted like he was certain I wouldn’t dare leave him, our twin pups, or the life we had built together in this den. As if I was incapable of walking away.

“Christina, I’m sorry. I lost my temper yesterday, but please… don’t blame Kristy anymore. If you could just treat her like family again, I—”

My wolf let out a bitter, mocking laugh in my mind.

“I thought he cared about you… that he was finally here to apologize to us. But no—he’s only afraid you might hurt Kristy.”

I cut him off coldly, my eyes like shards of glass.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cause trouble for her again.”

Luke was visibly stunned, as were the twins.

His gaze flicked to the table, where I’d left the herbs I’d risked everything to gather.

Realization slowly dawned on his face. He forced an awkward smile.

“Oh... so that was for her? Well, thank you. After you left, Kristy recovered quickly. The healer said there was no need for her to stay in the infirmary, so… we came home.”

“Good. If she’s better, then that’s all that matters.”

I smiled, but the smile didn’t reach my eyes. It was cold. Like stone.

There was a flicker of something—uncertainty, perhaps—on Luke’s face, and even in the boys’ expressions.

Chris took a step forward, confusion in his voice.

“Mom… what’s wrong with you?”

Collin’s eyes lit up, mistaking my indifference for forgiveness.

“I’m glad you’re accepting Kristy again. I knew you would.”

When I was about to close the door, Luke suddenly seemed to realize something. He rushed back, stopping it with his claws just before it shut.

“Christina... I forgot to tell you—I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. We’re going to Moon Shadow Valley.”

His eyes lit up with anticipation, as if expecting me to smile.

“For what?” I asked, a wave of bitterness rising in my chest.

Tomorrow night? I'd be gone long before that.

“It’s our eighth anniversary. I never forgot.”

I forced a cold, empty smile. Just as I opened my mouth to reply, Chris’s panicked voice echoed down the hall.

“Dad! Kristy cut her finger—it’s bleeding badly!”

Before I could say a single word, Luke was already gone—rushing toward Kristy without even glancing back. The door slammed shut behind him, catching my finger. It throbbed, turning red and swollen in seconds.

I let out a tired sigh and swallowed the words I’d meant to say.

Eighth anniversary?

It didn’t matter anymore.

Nothing did.

I would be gone by tomorrow.