Chapter 2

I left the healing center and went straight to the pup nursery to pick up Toby.

The moment he saw me, he said, "It's my birthday today, Mommy."

Then, he continued, "Will Daddy celebrate it with me?"

Tears immediately welled up in my eyes as I stood in the crowded road. "Your father—"

My mind-link buzzed before I could finish. Evan finally had the time to reply to me.

"I'm free. I'll come home."

A rush of joy swept through me. For a moment, I completely forgot about the fact that I had been drugged all this while.

I eagerly nodded. "Don't worry, Toby. Daddy will be home."

Toby clapped and dove into my arms, bursting with excitement.

During the six years we had been secretly mated, this was the first time Evan had agreed to celebrate Toby's birthday.

…

That evening, I prepared a whole spread of meat dishes. Toby had also finished his homework early.

An hour turned into two, and then three, as we waited.

I sent another message through our mind-link. As usual, no reply came.

Toby seemed to realize something and looked at me carefully. "Mommy, is Daddy too busy?"

A stab went through my chest.

I wanted to explain, but nothing came out of my mouth. All I could manage was, "It's okay. I'll always be here for you."

Toby stopped asking. He obediently picked up his birthday hat. "Can you put it on me, Mommy?"

I nodded and moved to help him. However, I accidentally caught an update from Selena on the WolfNet.

"Today was wonderful. I really enjoyed it." The post included a photo of a dish from the pack's fanciest restaurant.

Even though Evan's face wasn't in the photo, I still noticed the straw ring peeking out in the upper corner.

It was the ring we'd exchanged when we bonded under the moon. I had woven them from flowers that never wither.

However, Evan always wore it on the pinky of his left hand. He was declaring himself single using human custom.

The straw ring that symbolized our mate bond had become a sign he showed the world to claim he was unattached. What an irony.

On Toby's sixth birthday, Evan was having a candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant with his childhood sweetheart.

All the bitterness inside me settled into a quiet, dead calm.

I liked the post and exited the app. Then, I turned back to Toby and placed the simple cardboard birthday hat on his head.

"Happy birthday, Toby," I said.

I decided to weave him a proper birthday crown next year.

Toby closed his eyes by the candlelight, clasping his hands to pray to the Moon Goddess. "My wish is to always be with Mommy."

I picked up the WolfNet again and captured the moment.

The thought of leaving the pack finally blossomed inside me.

I replied, "Okay. I promise to always be with you."

That night, none of us mentioned Evan again. It was as if this home had always belonged to just the two of us.

After Toby fell asleep, I pulled the rejection agreement I'd prepared in advance from the drawer.

The last trace of hesitation in my heart finally dispersed.

…

Evan finally came home at 2:00 am.

A flicker of frustration crossed his steel-blue eyes when he saw the leftover cake and cold roast on the table.

He said, "Sorry. I forgot."

I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Did Evan really not hear the buzzing of my mind-link in his head? Or was he too lost in the arms of his childhood sweetheart to hear it and remember that this was his home?

I took out the agreement and flipped it to the last page. Then, I forced myself to be calm as I handed it to him. "Just sign this—"

Before I could finish, Evan's phone rang.

Selena's slightly panicked voice came through, "My door's lock is broken, Chief Healer Evan. I'm scared I'll be attacked by wild beasts tonight. Can you come keep me company?"

Evan immediately shot up, a flash of urgency in his eyes. "Wait there. I'm coming over."

After ending the call, he signed his name at the bottom without even glancing at the agreement.

I stepped back and watched him go.

Remember that you were the one who chose to abandon this home, Evan.