Chapter 3

"It's been a long time since I've visited the training grounds, so I thought I'd come check out the new generation of warriors," I replied.

Alpha Ethan didn't notice my red and swollen eyes, or perhaps he simply didn't care.

Last night, I sat by the fireplace with my knees hugged to my chest for the entire night. My tears had long since dried up, and I was relieved that seeing him now wouldn't make me break down again.

Mr. Ramirez patted my shoulder and said in a tone tinged with nostalgia, "It's good to come back to the training grounds. You and Alpha Ethan are legends in our pack. They still teach your tactical strategies to the new recruits.

"Since you're here, why not let Alpha Ethan show you around? I'll get going for now."

With that, he tactfully took his leave.

Now, it was just Alpha Ethan and me. He hesitated for a moment, then seemed about to turn and leave.

I asked, "Aren't you going to show me around? It's been many years since I've been here. I hardly recognize the place anymore."

Alpha Ethan stared at me for a moment before saying, "Alright, let's take a walk together."

We walked along the small path. There wasn't a single walkway in this academy that we hadn't walked a hundred times over.

Back then, we didn't have the money to go to movie theaters in human cities. Thus, our only way of dating was strolling here, dreaming about the future.

"It's been a long time since we've taken a walk like this together. Time really flies," I said, breaking the silence.

"It does. The academy has changed quite a bit. But that's a given, since things always change over time."

I stopped walking and looked into Alpha Ethan's eyes. "Does that apply to love, too?"

He was taken aback, his gaze growing evasive.

"What?"

"Nothing. It was just a passing thought," I replied, smiling, though I was quietly hurting inside.

What I really wanted to say was, "Alpha Ethan, if you've changed, just tell me. I would rather face rejection with a werewolf's pride than live on as a fool in the dark."

"Alpha Ethan!"

I saw a figure skipping happily toward us. At 20 years old, she was brimming with youthful energy and moved with an eager, unguarded liveliness. In her hand, she held an exquisitely crafted talisman pouch.

The young she-wolf was none other than Ivy, of course.

She wore a white dress, so much like the ones I had worn when I was younger. Though since becoming Luna, I rarely wore such impractical, easily soiled dresses anymore, since I had to handle pack affairs and be ready to treat the wounded at any moment.

"Slow down, and be careful not to fall," Alpha Ethan said, instinctively reaching out his hands.

I clearly saw his hands were about to reach for her waist. But then, remembering I was there, he shifted at the last moment and steadied her by the arms instead.

Ivy's smile instantly froze when she saw me. "Maya, what are you doing here too?"

"What's the matter? Aren't you happy to see me?" I asked, smiling, though it didn't reach my eyes.

"Of course I am. I just didn't expect you to have time to visit the academy. After all, you're usually so busy with work."

Ivy forced a smile, then held up a talisman pouch and said coquettishly, "Alpha Ethan, since you went to such lengths to get me such a precious amulet, I went to the sanctuary and got you a talisman in return. It might not be as powerful as the one you gave me, but don't underestimate it."

My gaze fell on the talisman pouch, and I couldn't help but think of the bangle I had thrown into the trash last night. It turned out that Alpha Ethan's claim of handling Rogues turned out to be nothing more than an excuse to meet Ivy and exchange tokens of love.

"Alright. As long as it's from you, I'll like it." Alpha Ethan gazed at her tenderly, having completely forgotten I was there.

"Maya, this talisman is a matching couple's set. I only requested a pair, so there might not be one for—"

I coldly cut her off. "I don't want it."

Ivy's eyes lit up. Seeming pleased with my response, she gave a nod.

She said, "Then I'll go with Alpha Ethan to check out the defensive formation over there first. I won't be seeing you out."

"Okay," I replied flatly.

Alpha Ethan glanced back at me, his expression complicated. "Maya, you should head back first. It's windy here. We can take a walk together another day when there's time."

With that, the two of them walked off side by side, their silhouettes looking surprisingly well-matched.

As I watched them leave, I took out my phone and snapped a picture of them.

A time capsule was buried under the tree in the eastern corner of the campus. I knelt down and dug it out with my bare hands.

It was something Alpha Ethan and I had buried ten years ago, and we promised to open it together a decade later.

He had said, "Ten years from now, you and I will surely have built a family and be running the pack together. We'll definitely be happy."

"What if we're not happy?"

"If we're not, I'll willingly accept the Moon Goddess' punishment and lose my wolf."

I opened the time capsule, only to find that the note inside had been replaced.

In it was Alpha Ethan's new handwriting. "I've fallen in love with the young she-wolf that Maya and I had rescued. Today, I dug up this capsule to make a new wish. I hope to be with Ivy for all lifetimes to come."

My heart twisted with a dull, tearing pain.

Alpha Ethan had buried our vows with his own hands.