No More Illusions

Everyone fell silent.

Eric Anderson wasn't angry. His eyes were filled with innocent confusion as he looked at me, Evelyn York.

He cautiously lifted his hand and tried to touch my face.

"Evelyn, what happened?"

I took a step back.

That hand had gently wrapped around my shoulders on countless nights.

It had also caressed another shewolf's body in places I knew nothing about.

For the past thirty years, everyone had said I was the happiest Luna in the world.

After all, even when we were caught in an avalanche, Eric had instinctively shielded me with his body.

He didn't even care about his own safety.

Who could have imagined that a werewolf who seemed to love me with his life had deceived me for thirty years?

I closed my eyes for a moment before forcing out a few words.

"The marking ceremony is canceled."

There were gasps in the crowd.

"Has Evelyn gone mad? Or did a witch put a spell on her?"

"Eric loves her so much. What is she making a fuss about?"

Eric suddenly turned around, and the voices instantly fell silent.

He stepped forward and took my hand before speaking anxiously.

"Evelyn, if you don't want to have the marking ceremony today, we can postpone it.

"But can you at least tell me what happened?"

The gentler and more considerate he was, the more nauseated I felt.

"Nothing happened."

I pulled away.

"I just don't want to become your mate anymore. That's all."

I glanced at Eric before turning around and walking down from the ceremonial platform. I headed for the exit.

Hurried footsteps came from behind me.

"Evelyn, did I do something wrong?"

He sounded panicked and helpless.

"Or is there something about the ceremony you don't like? I can change it!"

I stopped and turned around to look at him.

Moonlight shone across his youthful face.

It gradually overlapped with the face I had seen at his funeral thirty years later.

I took a deep breath and asked him, "Then tell me. Is there anything you're hiding from me?"

He froze for a moment before his thumb subconsciously rubbed back and forth over the old scar on his index finger.

If I hadn't known him for two lifetimes, I would never have known that this was the little habit he had whenever he felt guilty.

"No," he answered quickly. "I swear there's absolutely nothing. Evelyn, I have never lied to you."

I looked at him and suddenly didn't want to ask anything anymore.

The silent treatment didn't end until late into the night.

Of course, as far as Eric was concerned, this was merely one-sided from my end.

Eric called out my name several times in the middle of the night. When he saw that I was asleep, he quietly slipped out.

I opened my eyes and silently followed the scent he had left behind.

Thirty minutes later, I found myself standing outside a villa. I quietly slipped beneath the window of the master bedroom.

A heated argument came from inside.

"Was it you? Did you say something to Evelyn?

"Didn't I tell you that you are never to appear in front of Evelyn?"

Then came a hysterical scream.

"It wasn't me! How many times do I have to tell you?

"Eric, don't you think you're being too cruel? I'm the one who has to hide in the shadows and suffer, and now you're here interrogating me!"

Eric's tone softened.

"Candice, I'm sorry. I got too emotional.

"Evelyn suddenly wanted to cancel the marking ceremony, so I thought she had found out about us.

"You do know that once Evelyn becomes my mate, I won't have to coax her like this anymore. I'll have more excuses to come out and spend time with you."

Candice Klein sobbed for a long time before humming softly in acknowledgment.

Eric pulled her tightly into his arms.

"Be good. Don't cry anymore. It breaks my heart to see you cry.

"I promise you'll have whatever Evelyn has. I love you."

Candice whined flirtily.

"Your hand is wandering again! I know why you're doing this. You just don't want to hurt Evelyn, so you come to me instead.

"Be gentle this time. You were too rough last time. I couldn't get out of bed for three days."

Eric's voice grew husky with desire. He kissed Candice while breathing heavily.

"You're just so hot. I want to die in your arms. Evelyn is totally dead weight in bed."

I saw the two figures intertwined through the window.

Then came the sounds of ragged breathing.

I clenched my fists and dug my fingernails deep into my palms, but I didn't feel any pain at all.

I harshly wiped away the tears on my face and left without making a sound.

On the way home, I accepted my mentor's invitation.

He had once asked whether I was interested in returning to the academy as an instructor.

He said I was a born warrior.

In my previous life, I had given everything up for Eric.

This time, I would choose my own future.