3

He got in the car and drove away, never seeing the heartbreak and bitter smile in my eyes.

The truth was, I had never really tried to stop his devotion to Ivy.

There was only one time when I'd interfered. Ethan's parents and I had accidentally witnessed Ivy kissing a strange middle-aged werewolf. When we investigated further, we discovered she had multiple sugar daddies.

That's when I desperately tried to keep Ethan away from her.

But Ethan never knew the truth. After she died, he suffered for ten long years.

If I had to choose, I'd rather see him with Ivy than watch him lose his love forever and die because of me.

Guilt and self-blame could crush a person's soul.

I sighed and went to get my travel permits before heading home. As the former Alpha King's daughter, I was under the protection of the entire Northern Territory. I needed Alpha Council approval to visit other territories.

Ethan's parents had already prepared a full dinner. When his mother saw me return, she grabbed my hands excitedly.

"Sweetheart, you finished submitting the application so quickly! Where's Ethan? Why didn't he come back with you?"

"Pack business needed his attention. He had to handle some urgent matters."

His mother frowned. "That boy! Today is such an important day—you submitted your mating application—and he can't even put work aside."

His father chuckled. "Ethan is already the pack's Alpha. He carries the weight of the entire pack on his shoulders. It's good that he's focused on his duties. You'll be mates soon anyway. Family dinners can happen anytime. Once the application is approved, we'll throw you the most magnificent mating ceremony."

His mother huffed in disapproval.

Watching this warm family scene, my eyes began to sting.

"Uncle, Aunt, Ethan and I didn't submit a mating application. I got my travel permits. I'm leaving for another territory in a couple of days."

His mother stared at me in shock.

"What do you mean you didn't submit the application? Did Ethan bully you? That boy just has a sharp tongue, but he truly cares about you. Deep down, he loves you."

"Besides, you taught yourself to become a healer just to help Ethan. You stayed by his side day and night, treating his wounds and providing emotional support. We've seen your devotion to him. You're destined mates who love each other. Of course you should be together! And you know that Ivy girl is no good. We can't let her win."

His father quickly agreed. "Ethan is just being stubborn. Once you have the mating ceremony and become true mates, he'll be completely devoted to you."

These words sounded so familiar. They'd said the exact same things before.

Unfortunately, forcing love had led to everyone's regret in the end.

I gripped his mother's hand gently. "Please don't get upset. Listen to me first. I hate to admit it, but forced love never works. Even though our wolves recognize each other as mates, Ethan's heart has never belonged to me."

"I had a dream last night. I dreamed that Ethan and I became mates, but he refused to see me. He buried himself in pack business every day and wouldn't even come home. Whether he was sick or injured, he wouldn't let me care for him. He said I brought him more pain than happiness. At thirty-five, he even died protecting me from rogue wolves."

My heart ached so badly I could barely breathe.

His mother was stunned. "But... that was just a dream, sweetheart. Ethan would never..."

I sniffled and forced a smile.

"Uncle, Aunt, dreams are warnings given to us by the Moon Goddess. I'd rather he not love me and we not be mates, if it means he'll live a long, healthy life."

"Everything makes sense when you think about it. Ethan yearns for freedom. He hates being controlled and despises walking a path others have chosen for him. If he hadn't been engaged to me from the start, he would have been much happier pursuing his own love freely. But he's a born leader, destined to inherit the pack and shoulder an Alpha's responsibilities. Even now, if it weren't for our parents' arrangement, he would never have become my mate."

"I'm the source of all his problems. It's all my fault, and I don't want to keep making the same mistakes."

"My plans to visit other packs are already set. I'll always remember your kindness, and I'll take care of you both in the future!"

His mother secretly wiped away tears. "You're such a good girl. Ethan doesn't deserve to have you as his future Luna."

I hugged her back, my eyes red with tears but smiling.

"It's okay. Even if I can't be your daughter-in-law, I can be your daughter. I'll still take care of you both in the future. We'll always be family."

With my gentle persuasion, his parents finally stopped crying and agreed to my decision.

I thought of the second regret written in Ethan's diary. This should count as fulfilling it, right?

The Moon Goddess had only given me thirty-six hours in this time. Now there was one final wish left to complete.

As night fell, I went to the valley alone.

This was the best spot to see the blood moon. I gripped the railing, my heart fluttering with anticipation.

I don't know how long I waited before the door behind me suddenly opened. My face lit up with joy as I turned around.

"Ethan, you came!"

But his expression was dark as storm clouds. He strode toward me in three quick steps, fury blazing in his eyes.

"Just because I didn't take you home and went to see Ivy, you ran to my parents to complain? Do you know they called and blamed her? "

"She was distracted and walked into a rogue wolf ambush. A silver arrow pierced her kidney. She's in kidney failure and bleeding out. She's dying! Are you satisfied now?!"