Chapter 4

"Stop this nonsense!" Kyle clenched his jaw in anger.

Ethan excitedly grabbed Kyle's hand instead. "This is wonderful! Now Caroline can stay with me forever!"

"Ethan, you shouldn't say that." Caroline quickly covered Ethan's mouth and pretended to be distressed, but the look of joy and anticipation in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Watching Ethan look so happy, I felt my heart shatter completely.

Kyle's expression darkened. His gaze shifted from Ethan to me before he finally sneered. "Fine. Let's sever our mate bond. I'd like to see how long you can keep this up."

He was convinced I wouldn't actually dare to sever our mate bond. He believed there was no way I would abandon Ethan either.

Besides, werewolves whose mate bonds had been severed were often treated with contempt by their packs. Even my own parents wouldn't welcome me.

But he was wrong.

There were places beyond this family where I was needed far more.

I returned to my room and began packing my clothes.

Right then, I received an email from the Royal City Weapons Research Lab. The excitement in their words was unmistakable.

[It is our honor to welcome you to our team. We have already arranged accommodation for you and look forward to your arrival.]

[Everyone at the Royal City Weapons Research Lab eagerly awaits your arrival.]

Suddenly, a scream came from the living room.

My heart clenched, and I quickly turned around.

To my horror, I saw Ethan lying stiffly on the floor. His mouth was twitching uncontrollably.

I ran over and noticed that his body was covered in rashes.

"Quick! Get him to the healer's den!"

Outside the emergency room, I was trembling all over.

Suddenly, Kyle grabbed me and yanked me to my feet. His voice was full of fury. "What did you put in the pastries?"

"What?" My mind went completely blank.

Kyle angrily threw the pastry bag at my feet. "There are chopped nuts in here! Ethan is allergic to nuts. How could you, as his mother, possibly not know that?"

I froze and picked up the bag. Inside were several pieces of chopped dried walnuts.

"N-No! That's impossible!"

Ever since we'd discovered Ethan's nut allergy, we'd never allowed any nut products into the house.

How had these walnuts gotten in there?

"This is all my fault. I should've kept a closer eye on Ethan." Caroline lowered her gaze while she choked out those words through sobs.

"I never imagined Elena would resent Ethan for loving me more. I didn't think she'd go so far as to hurt her own son," she added before glaring at me. "How could you take a pup's words so seriously? Elena, you're absolutely heartless!"

Kyle frowned. He seemed about to say something else, but the emergency room doors opened.

A healer walked out while pushing Ethan's hospital bed. "He's been treated. He can be discharged tomorrow."

The weight on my chest finally lifted. Tears streamed down my face as I hurried after the nurse to his room.

I spent the entire night holding Ethan's hand. I was too afraid to even close my eyes.

Late that night, Ethan suddenly coughed a few times.

I was about to call the nurse when I heard him mumble in his sleep. "Caroline, don't go–"

My heart ached terribly.

Although I'd known for a long time that Ethan preferred Caroline over me, hearing those words still hurt.

I gently released his hand and quietly slipped out of the room.

As I passed the corner of the hallway, I came across two familiar figures.

"Kyle, do you really not blame me? Ethan is like my own pup. Seeing him in that condition made me feel so awful." Caroline covered her eyes and sobbed softly.

Kyle froze for a moment before pulling her into his arms and comforting her tenderly. "It wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself."

I stood motionless and stared at them as they embraced each other.

My heart was aching, but I no longer had the strength to confront them.

Suddenly, I realized I had no reason left to force myself to stay.

After I returned home, I finished packing my luggage.

Before leaving, I took the crumpled photograph out of my pocket and placed it on the living room table.

I then pulled my suitcase behind me and closed the door.

As the bus slowly pulled away, I leaned against the window and closed my eyes.

This time, there was nothing left to keep me tied to that place.