Chapter 4: The Last Thing He Gave Me

Wren

"You're going to regret saying that, Wren."

Silas stared at me as though I'd just insulted him in front of the entire pack.

I gently pulled my wrist away from him. "Maybe I will. But I don't think so."

His jaw tightened. "Do you honestly believe threatening to reject me will make me chase after you?"

"I'm not asking you to chase me, Silas."

"Then what exactly do you want?"

Five years ago, I would've given anything for him to ask me that question.

Back then, he'd held my hand while showing me around the packhouse, promised to teach me everything about our traditions, and told me the Moon Goddess must've had a reason for bringing us together.

Somewhere along the way, those promises had become excuses.

He was always too busy for me, but somehow never too busy for Elodie.

"Nothing," I finally answered. "I don't want anything from you anymore."

His expression darkened. "Fine. When you're finished with this little tantrum, you know where to find me."

He walked away without looking back.

I watched him disappear into the dining room, where Elodie immediately greeted him with a cheerful laugh.

For once, I didn't follow.

The next two days passed in a blur of party preparations.

Everywhere I turned, someone was talking about Elodie's graduation celebration.

On the first afternoon, she practically dragged Adrian into the sitting room to show him the expensive gown she'd ordered.

It was a beautiful champagne-colored dress decorated with delicate crystals.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" she squealed, spinning in front of the mirror.

Adrian smiled proudly. "Only the best for my little princess."

I stood near the doorway, holding a basket of freshly washed clothes.

Adrian had promised to buy me a beautiful gown for my graduation.

When I'd asked about it last month, he'd told me there was no reason to waste money on something I'd only wear once.

Apparently, that rule didn't apply to Elodie.

"Wren!" Elodie called. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful."

She smiled sweetly. "Thank you! I considered getting you something too, but I wasn't sure you'd be comfortable wearing something this elegant. You're so used to simple countryside clothes."

Adrian chuckled. "She's right. There's no point forcing you into something that doesn't suit you."

I tightened my grip on the laundry basket. "Of course."

I returned downstairs before either of them could ask me to help with anything else.

While the rest of the household prepared for Elodie's celebration, I quietly prepared for my departure.

I gathered my identification documents, checked my enlistment confirmation, and packed the few belongings I wanted to take.

Each evening, I checked my phone for messages from the Royal Army. Each morning, I reminded myself that I was another day closer to leaving.

On the afternoon before the party, I walked into the kitchen and found a massive three-tiered cake sitting on the counter.

The rich scent of strawberries filled the room.

I stopped. "Is that strawberry cake?"

The head baker nodded. "Miss Elodie's favorite. Alpha Adrian specifically requested it."

I looked at the thick strawberry filling between the layers. "I'm allergic to strawberries."

The baker's expression changed. "Oh, Miss Wren, I wasn't aware."

"It's okay. I just wanted to make sure."

Behind me, Elodie laughed. "Oh, Wren, don't be dramatic. Nobody's forcing you to eat it."

I turned toward her. "I wasn't being dramatic. I was just asking."

"Well, it's my party. Surely you don't expect everyone to change the menu because of your allergies?"

Silas appeared beside her, carrying a small box from the jewelry shop. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Elodie replied. "Wren's upset about the cake."

He looked at me with a patient smile. "Sweetheart, you know strawberries are Elodie's favorite. Can't you let her enjoy one evening without making everything about yourself?"

I stared at him. "I wasn't asking anyone to change the cake."

"Then there's no problem, is there?"

He turned toward Elodie and opened the jewelry box, revealing a delicate silver necklace.

Her delighted squeal followed me all the way out of the kitchen.

I couldn't remember the last time Silas had bought me a gift... But I knew exactly when I'd stopped expecting one.

By the evening of the party, the packhouse looked like something out of a royal celebration.

Golden decorations covered the walls, enormous flower arrangements stood beside the ballroom doors, and musicians played beneath glittering chandeliers.

I remained in the storage room, finishing my packing.

My transportation was scheduled to collect me the following morning.

Only one more night.

I folded my last sweater and reached for the wooden box containing Grandpa's carving knife.

The lid was open.

I frowned. I distinctly remembered closing it. When I looked inside, my stomach dropped.

The knife was gone.

"No..."

I searched beneath my clothes, checked the drawers, and emptied my suitcase onto the bed.

Nothing. A cold feeling settled in my chest. I knew I'd packed it.

Then I remembered that some of my belongings had remained in my old bedroom when Adrian ordered the workers to clear it out.

Perhaps someone had moved the box while cleaning.

I hurried upstairs. But before I reached my old bedroom, I heard Elodie's voice coming from the ballroom.

"Oh, look at this! Isn't it adorable?"

I stopped in the doorway.

Several guests stood around a decorated table displaying photographs and childhood keepsakes.

Except some of those belongings were mine.

And standing in the center of the group was Elodie... Holding Grandpa's knife.

"Elodie."

She turned, her smile faltering. "Oh! Wren! I didn't think you were coming."

I approached her. "Give me my knife."

She glanced down at the object in her hand. "This old thing?"

"Yes. It's mine."

Elodie laughed. "I found it in my gym. Adrian said I could use whatever was left in there."

"Grandpa made that for me."

"Well, you shouldn't have left it behind."

I held out my hand. "Please, Elodie. Just give it back."

She examined the wooden handle, tracing the letters Grandpa had carefully carved into it.

"Honestly, I don't understand why you're so attached to this junk. It looks like something you'd buy at a village market."

My chest tightened. "It's not junk."

Elodie rolled her eyes. "Fine. If you want it so badly, catch."

She tossed the knife toward me.

I lunged forward, but it struck the edge of the table before falling onto the marble floor.

A sharp crack echoed through the ballroom. The wooden handle split apart.

For several seconds, I couldn't move. Then I dropped to my knees.

"No..."

I carefully gathered the broken pieces, my hands trembling as I examined the damage.

Grandpa had spent weeks carving this knife.

I remembered sitting beside him on our little porch, watching him patiently smooth the wooden handle. He'd told me that someday I'd become a better craftsman than him.

Now, the letters of my name were split down the middle.

Tears blurred my vision. "Why would you do that?" I whispered.

Elodie folded her arms. "Oh, come on. It was an accident."

"You knew how much this meant to me."

"Then you should've caught it."

I stood, clutching the broken handle. "You've taken practically everything else from me, Elodie! My bedroom, my academy admission, even my family's attention! Couldn't you leave this one thing alone?"

Her expression changed.

Then, before I could move, she stumbled backward and deliberately collapsed onto the floor.

"Ow! Wren, why would you push me?"

I stared at her. "What?"

Tears immediately filled her eyes. "I said I was sorry! You didn't have to hurt me!"

"Wren!" Adrian's furious voice cut through the ballroom. He pushed through the crowd with Silas close behind him. "What the hell is going on?"

Elodie burst into tears. "I accidentally broke Wren's knife, and she got so angry! She pushed me!"

Adrian immediately knelt beside her. "Are you hurt, sweetheart?"

"My ankle..."

Silas hurried forward. "Ellie, let me see."

I watched them fuss over her while Grandpa's broken knife rested in my hands. "Adrian, I didn't touch her."

He looked up sharply. "Enough, Wren! You've caused more than enough trouble tonight."

"She broke Grandpa's knife!"

Adrian glanced at the pieces. His expression shifted briefly. I knew he remembered it.

"You know how much this means to me," I said.

He sighed impatiently. "It's an old knife, Wren. I'll buy you another one."

"Grandpa made it!"

"Then I'll buy you something better! Honestly, must you embarrass this family over some worthless countryside trinket?"

I flinched.

Silas stood beside Elodie, shaking his head. "Sweetheart, this isn't how a proper Luna behaves. You're making it very difficult for me to defend you."

I looked at him. "Then don't."

His expression hardened.

Adrian rose to his feet. "You're going to apologize to Elodie immediately."

I looked down at the broken handle. Then I raised my eyes to my brother. "Do you remember what you promised me when you brought me home?"

He frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"You promised I'd never feel abandoned again."

Adrian rubbed his forehead. "Wren, I'm not discussing this in front of our guests. Apologize, and we'll talk later."

I shook my head. "I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do."

His expression turned cold. "Then get out. You're not welcome at this party until you learn some respect."

I stared at him for a long moment. Then I nodded. "Okay, Adrian."

I walked away before he could see another tear fall.

Back in the storage room, I wrapped Grandpa's broken knife in a soft cloth and placed it inside my suitcase.

My phone vibrated.

An unfamiliar number appeared.

"Hello?"

"Recruit Blackwood? Sergeant Mercer, Royal Army Transportation Division. Our vehicle has arrived at the Hawthorne border ahead of schedule. We can collect you tonight if you're available."

I glanced toward the ceiling. Upstairs, the music had started again.

"Tonight would be perfect."

"Are you certain? You won't have much time to say goodbye to your family."

I looked around the small storage room. At the empty shelves. The narrow bed. The suitcase containing everything I owned.

"There isn't anyone I need to say goodbye to."