Chapter 7

When I arrived at Ethan's house, the door was slightly ajar. Music and drunken laughter spilled out.

I walked inside and stopped short.

The place had been completely transformed.

Gone were the scattered silver dagger and other weapons I remembered from years ago.

Now everything was sleek, minimalist furniture arranged with artistic precision. Expensive taste, expensive pieces.

Victoria's influence was everywhere.

A large framed photo of her and Ethan sat prominently on a side table, both of them grinning with nauseating happiness.

A woman I didn't recognize was cleaning up empty bottles.

She noticed me looking around. "Luna has excellent taste, doesn't she?" she said politely. "Alpha has changed so much since she moved in. He adores her. Renovated the entire place just for her."

Adoration. Change. All for her.

I found Alex slumped on a leather couch, looking miserable.

He was drunk, but not happy drunk. Sad drunk.

"Sylvia," he said blearily, looking at me with unfocused eyes. "You came."

"Let's go home, Alex."

As I helped him to his feet, Ethan emerged from the back room, leaning heavily on a cane.

He was pale and thinner than before, but his eyes were sharp.

He saw me. His expression tightened.

"What are you doing here, Sylvia?"

Alex swayed, one arm draped over my shoulder.

"She's my sister, Ethan. She came to take me home. She's... she's leaving, you know. Going far away."

Something flickered in Ethan's eyes. "Leaving?"

"Yeah," Alex mumbled. "European pack. Never coming back."

Ethan looked at me with a strange expression I couldn't decipher.

"I hope you'll be happy," I said quietly, my voice steadier than I expected. "I really do."

I paused, then held out the small wooden box.

"This is for you. A farewell gift."

Ethan's eyes flashed with something - surprise? He reached for the box, his fingers just touching the wood when his phone rang.

The ringtone was bright and cheerful.

Victoria.

He turned away, his attention immediately diverted. "Hey, baby. Yeah, the guys are still here... No, I'm fine... I miss you too."

He didn't open the box. He'd already forgotten about it, about me.

I didn't mind. This was my final warning to him. After this, whatever happened to him was no longer my concern.

Alex and I left quietly.

In the taxi, Alex was mostly quiet, leaning against me.

The next morning, when we stopped in front of the airport terminal, he hugged me tightly.

"Be happy, Sylvia. Please. Be happy."

"I will be, Alex. You too. And... go to the marking ceremony. For yourself. Not for him."

He nodded, his eyes suspiciously bright.

I walked toward the gate, my carry-on light, my heart lighter.

My phone vibrated. It was Ethan.

I didn't answer.

I turned off the phone. Then, methodically, I blocked his number, Victoria's number, and the numbers of everyone in the pack.

Everyone.

Complete severance.

As the plane taxied down the runway, I took one last look at Northern territory's skyline, the city of both broken dreams and new beginnings.

Then I closed my eyes.

No looking back.