Chapter 1

"I'm serious. Go now."

Alpha Ethan stared down at the taxi ride I had booked for him on my phone, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

"Elia, your parents just died, and you're severely injured yourself. You really want me to walk away right now?"

I leaned back against the hospital bed. Even with bandages tightly wrapped around my waist, blood still seeped through where the rogue wolf had slashed my abdomen.

It hurt like hell, but I didn't want his company anymore:

"The pack doctors are here. They'll fix me up. I really, truly don't need you."

He let out an exasperated sigh, looking utterly helpless:

"Are you testing me again?"

"I've told you so many times. Vivian and I grew up together, yes, but there's nothing romantic between us."

He reached out and took my hand. "You and I are fated mates."

A bitter laugh almost escaped my throat.

In my past life, I believed those exact words.

And what happened? Vivian's death still became the greatest regret of his entire life.

Ethan's favoritism toward her had always been there. He just refused to acknowledge it, and I had deceived myself into pretending it didn't matter.

His phone suddenly vibrated.

Two voice messages arrived from Vivian.

"Ethan, I just went through the security checkpoint."

"Don't come, and don't contact me anymore. Goodbye."

Her words sounded decisive, yet her voice trembled with tears, practically begging him to stop her.

Sure enough, Ethan's fingers tightened instantly, his entire body stiffening in a panic.

I read the taxi's license plate number out loud to him.

"The car is outside. You should hurry."

He stared at me, searching my face for any hint of jealousy, hurt, or a plea for him to stay.

But there was nothing. Because I genuinely didn't need him anymore.

After a long pause, he put on his jacket and said hesitantly:

"I'm only going to say goodbye. I'll be right back to take care of you."

I nodded.

"Okay."

Not long after he left, the pack doctor walked in.

She handed me two clear evidence bags.

One held my father's phone, and the other held my mother's broken necklace.

"I am so sorry for your loss."

"Is there anyone else with you? Someone who can help arrange your parents' funeral?"

I traced the bloodstains on the necklace with my fingertips.

"There's no one else. Just me. I can handle it myself."

In my past life, Ethan had taken care of all of this for me.

He contacted the pack elders, arranged the memorial service, and handled my parents' pack duties.

This time, I signed every document myself.

As my pen lifted from the final form, my father's phone screen lit up.

I picked it up and saw an unsent text draft my father had written to me:

"Elia, Dr. Paul said there's still an open spot for you on his Werewolf Genetics Research team in Boston."

"If you love research, go for it. Never change your path for anyone else."

I stared at those words for a very long time.

In my past life, I had never seen this message.

Back then, after my parents died, I was completely shattered. My inner wolf wept and howled every single day.

Ethan stayed by my side, and his Alpha scent was the only thing that could comfort me.

He took care of everything, making me grow dependent on him.

Later, because of our fated mate bond, we completed our marking ceremony shortly after.

And I took it for granted that staying in the Blood Moon Pack was my only destiny.

Only now did I finally understand.

My father never wanted me to lose myself. He wanted me to pursue my own dreams.

Taking a deep breath, I dialed Dr. Paul's number.

"Dr. Paul, is that research position still open?"

The line went silent for a second.

"It is. But your physical condition right now..."

"I'll recover quickly."

I looked down at the bandages around my waist and my sprained ankle.

"Can I leave in seven days?"

"Of course."

Seven days.

In seven days, I would leave the Blood Moon Pack and head to Boston.

I would fulfill the future my father never got to see.

As for Ethan...

Now that he finally had the chance to chase after the woman he truly wanted,

I would let him go.