Chapter 4

The next morning, I began packing.

Two suitcases of clothes. Several professional textbooks. The jewelry box my mother had left me.

A handwritten reminder sheet still hung on the refrigerator. Lucas needed stomach medicine before council meetings. Caleb had to replace part of his patrol gear. Jace’s old injury was due for examination the following week.

The final note read: Mia cannot drink cold milk.

A month earlier, Lucas had asked me to add it. She had only recently returned to the pack, he said. I should take better care of her.

I pulled down the sheet and dropped it into the trash.

My phone kept lighting up. Caleb wanted the housing arrangements. Jace could not find his medical report. Mia asked if I would accompany her to collect her travel permit.

I sorted their documents into separate folders and placed them in the second drawer of the study.

Then I sent one reply.

Your papers are in the second drawer. Keep track of them yourselves from now on.

I closed my suitcases.

The mate ring I had removed went back into its original box. I left it on the dining table beside the apartment key. My mother’s necklace, my identification, and my car keys went into my carry-on bag.

I left the shared photo album, disabled location sharing, and revoked their access to my private training archive.

When I opened our five-person chat for the last time, they were discussing that evening’s barbecue. Mia wanted the restaurant at the eastern foot of the mountain. Caleb complained that it was too far.

Lucas replied, It’s fine. Erin can drive and pick us up.

Jace sent a laughing emoji. Good thing our personal manager is useful.

I looked at the words for several seconds, then left the group.

I deleted Caleb, Jace, and Mia from my contacts one by one.

I saved Lucas for last.

At four in the afternoon, a Royal Court vehicle stopped below the apartment. A female officer checked my identification and handed me the approval for my pack-registration transfer.

“Everything is complete. With the Court’s acceptance order, you may cross the border directly.”

I placed the papers in my bag.

“Once you enter the training base, you may not contact anyone outside for six months,” she reminded me. “Is there anyone you still need to say goodbye to?”

I looked back at the apartment.

The ring box on the table remained open. Lucas would see it the moment he returned.

“No.”

I closed the door and carried my luggage downstairs.

As we crossed the square, the wisteria trellis from yesterday’s photograph passed outside the window. Beyond it lay the mountain path where the four of us had run as children.

I looked away. I did not ask the driver to stop.

The border marker came into view just as my phone rang.

Lucas.

I answered.

“Why did you leave the group? Why is your location turned off?” He paused, and his voice softened a little. “I asked about it. You can still transfer into the Western Camp. Turn your location back on, and I’ll send someone to get you.”

He still believed I was waiting for him to arrange a way for me to follow.

“Lucas, the ring is on the dining table.”

Silence.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“The key is there too. Your documents are in the study. I’ve taken all my things.”

“Erin, where are you?”

“At the pack border.”

His breathing sharpened. “What are you doing there? We agreed to go West together.”

“You agreed among yourselves. I didn’t.”

“Come back first,” he interrupted. “We’ll discuss this in person.”

“I’m reporting to the Royal Court.”

“The Royal Court?” He sounded as if the words made no sense. “Reporting for what? When did you apply? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I did not answer.

Over the past forty-eight hours, I had asked them again and again where they had chosen to go. I no longer wanted to justify my own choice to him.

The vehicle stopped at the border checkpoint. A guard accepted the officer’s documents and examined the Royal Court seal.

Lucas heard their voices. His own tightened at once. “You’re truly leaving the pack?”

“Yes.”

“Think carefully, Erin. You are my fated mate. No matter where you go, that won’t change.”

I looked down at my bare finger.

He had never marked me. I still had the right to reject the bond aloud. I did not need his permission.

The guard returned the papers and raised the barrier.

I sat straighter.

“Lucas, I’m ending it now.”

“What did you say?”

“I, Erin, under the witness of the Moon Goddess, reject Alpha Lucas as my fated mate.”

As the final word left my mouth, the vehicle crossed the boundary.

Agony tore through my chest. My fingers closed around the phone as the familiar mate bond pulled taut inside me—then snapped.

Lucas gasped in pain on the other end.

“Erin—stop!”