Chapter 4

For the next seven days, Alexander never once visited Alice. He did not send her a mind-link message or even a single text message.

Anna, on the other hand, updated Alice on everything they did daily.

On the first day, they went to the wishing tree, wrote their wishes on ribbons, and tied them to the branches of the wishing tree together.

On the second day, they hiked to the mountaintop to watch the stars and whispered their deepest secrets to each other.

On the seventh day, they stood before the Council of Elders and made a binding vow, promising that one day they would return to complete the marking ceremony. Their fingers were interlaced, and both of them smiled so sweetly it hurt to look at them.

Alice scrolled through every message with a blank expression. The part of her that had been clinging to Alexander for dear life had finally, completely died inside her.

On the eighth day, Alexander's message finally came. "Sorry, Alice. I was tied up with some things for the past few days and didn't see your messages."

Alice glanced at it, then locked the screen and went back to packing.

Just moments ago, the acceptance letter from the Royal Wolf Kingdom College of Medicine had arrived. In three days, she would leave the Moonshadow pack. From then on, they would go their separate ways, never to meet again.

That very day, Alexander showed up at her doorstep, looking exhausted. "Alice, why are you ignoring me? You're not replying to my texts, and you're not answering the mind-link either."

Alice looked up at him. "Is there something you need?"

He flinched at the coldness in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I thought you were fine that day. Anna was having an asthma attack, and I had to rush to get her—"

"It's fine," she said as she stepped past him.

He caught up and blocked her path. "I know you're angry. Come on. Why don't we go bungee jumping? You love extreme sports."

Before she could even refuse, he dragged her to the car.

Halfway there, his communicator buzzed. He answered, spoke briefly, then made a U-turn. Alice recognized the route. They were heading straight to Anna's rented place. This time, she was no longer bothered.

Alexander glanced nervously at her. "Alice... Anna says she's too scared to be alone, and she wants to come along too. Would you mind if—"

"Sure."

Alice agreed so quickly that he blinked in surprise. He thought she'd finally come around. Relief washed over him.

…

At the cliffside bungee platform, Alexander held Alice's hand the whole time. He helped her into the harness and checked every strap multiple times.

The safety officer said jokingly, "Looks like the future Alpha's here to take over my job."

Alexander smiled. "This is my future partner we're talking about. Can't be too careful."

Anna watched from the side, her nails digging into her palms. "Alexander, I want to do a tandem jump with Alice."

He frowned, but considering that Alice had experience, he nodded and went to sign the waivers.

Anna stepped into her harness and walked up to Alice, smiling sweetly while her eyes dripped with venom. "Alice, if we both fall, who do you think Alexander will save first?"

Alice's chest tightened. "What are you planning?"

Anna smirked. "I'm sending you down, of course."

Before the words had even faded, she shoved Alice hard, and then she leaped off the platform herself.

"No! Alice, no! I was wrong! I'll never fight you for Alexander again!" Anna's shrill cry tore through the air.

By the time Alexander rushed over, both figures were already plummeting. He watched in horror as both cords snapped simultaneously.

Freezing water rushed in from every direction. Alice fought to stay afloat, but her body felt as heavy as lead. She was being dragged down.

In the blurring haze of consciousness, she saw someone dive in. Alexander was swimming toward her.

Five yards. Three yards. And then one.

Just as he was inches away from reaching Alice, Anna's scream echoed across the water. "Alexander! Save me! I can't swim!"

Alexander's gaze flicked from Alice to Anna. His face twisted with indecision.

One second. Two seconds. Three.

In the end, he turned and swam toward Anna. "Alice! Hold on! I'll save her first and come right back for you!"

Alice watched him swim away as she sank slowly into the darkness. So this was all she was to him—the one who would always be left behind.

…

When she woke again, she had been brought home by a staff member of the bungee jump facility. She rested for a day.

The night before school started, Alexander gave her a call. "Alice, we're heading to the new school tomorrow. Want to go together?"

From the other end of the line, she heard Anna's voice in the background. "Alexander, where did I leave my underwear? Oh, and you promised to come with me tomorrow to try on matching rings."

His voice turned flustered. "Alice, sorry, I can't take you tomorrow. Anna's shoes broke, so I need to go shoe shopping with her. Can you take the bus?"

Alice was quiet for two seconds. "Sure."

After hanging up, she stood by the window and murmured, "It's best if we never see each other again."

…

Early the next morning, a horn sounded as Alice carried her suitcase down the stairs.

In the soft dawn light, a tall figure leaned against a car. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. He smiled at her.

"I heard that a lil twerp got accepted into the Royal Wolf Kingdom College of Medicine, so I thought I'd come give you a ride."

Alice froze. "Saul?"

Sauliel Hellhound, the future ruler of the werewolf kingdom, walked over and ruffled her hair. "What, you don't recognize me anymore? I came all this way just to see you off now that you're about to begin chasing your dream!"