Chapter 6

The day I officially prepared to enter the classified research institute was my third day after arriving at the neighboring pack.

The institute's Director Brown took us all out for lunch.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a bit emotional.

By the end, many sitting around the table had reddened eyes.

Director Brown told us to make one last call to family or friends, then added seriously:

"If you're afraid or reluctant, it's not too late to back out now."

People around me began taking out their phones to dial, with occasional muffled sobs breaking the silence.

I sat quietly for a long while before finally taking out my phone and opening Facebook.

I checked and saw that Riley had updated her status.

They had taken Wesley to the Caribbean.

In the photos, the ocean was stunningly beautiful, like an enormous spilled palette of colors.

Wesley wore the hand-forged hunting dagger at his belt.

He looked back at the camera from the endless beach, his eyes crinkling with practiced happiness.

Director Brown's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Caleb, make a call. After this, who knows how many years will pass before you get another chance."

I clutched my phone tightly, my knuckles turning white.

After a long while, I finally dialed.

But it was Wesley's cheerful voice that answered. "Brother, do you need something?"

My voice was hoarse. "Where are they?"

Wesley replied brightly. "You mean my sisters? They told me to answer the phone. They said they don't have time to talk, and I should just take a message."

From the background came Riley's raised voice. "Turn off your phone and come here."

Wesley's voice took on a pleased tone.

Pretending innocence, yet unable to hide his triumph and satisfaction due to his young age.

"Brother, what did you want anyway? I can pass along a message."

"By the way, didn't you put a box at home for the birthday gifts? My sisters said they didn't need them, so I threw the box away. You won't be angry, right?"

My heart gradually grew calm, finally feeling free of any lingering attachment.

I said flatly. "Nothing."

I ended the call.

After everyone finished their calls and lunch, we began entering the research institute.

Just one door separated us from the outside world.

I removed my SIM card, broke it in half, and tossed it into the trash can.

I stepped through the doorway without looking back.

(Third person's POV)

After only a week in the Caribbean, Riley decided they should return home.

As the Full Moon Festival approached, Wesley insisted they stay for the holiday, saying there would be special celebrations in the Caribbean.

Riley instinctively wanted to refuse.

Even though the pack had started their holiday break and she had no work left for the year, for reasons she couldn't explain, this trip abroad felt like something was missing.

Though they'd only been away for seven days, it felt like they'd endured a much longer period.

She tried to think of a good excuse to go back.

Before she could formulate one, Alexa spoke up gently.

"We can come back another time if you want to stay more. I have pack business to handle that can't be delayed any longer."

Wesley, still caught up in the excitement of the trip, protested.

"But just yesterday you told Caleb you wouldn't be handling pack business during the Full Moon Festival."

Alexa fell silent, seeming guilty as she looked out the window.

Wesley sneered, tossed the carved wolf figurine he'd been holding onto the floor, and stalked out.

Riley looked at the small wooden wolf abandoned on the carpet.

Somehow, she remembered that this was the exact carving style their father used to make for Caleb when he was small. The same shape, the same posture — head turned, ears forward, watching.

Caleb had kept a row of them on his bedroom windowsill until he was twelve.

What had Caleb been like when he was little?

Riley tried to recall but realized she could barely remember.

All she could picture was Caleb shouting and trying to explain that Wesley was an impostor.

Then the adult Caleb, growing increasingly quiet and withdrawn.

No longer eager to talk with her and Alexa, always claiming he was busy at school, rarely coming home.

Occasionally when Wesley damaged his things, he would lose control, but then quickly compose himself, saying calmly and coldly: "It doesn't matter."

He increasingly preferred staying at the school dormitory.

Sometimes Riley would run into him on campus.

One moment he'd be laughing with classmates, the next — upon seeing her — his expression would immediately become quiet and uncomfortable.

Riley picked up the small wooden wolf from the floor.

She suddenly felt like she had lost something important.

When had she lost it?

That bright, affectionate Caleb — when had he disappeared?

Alexa's somewhat cold voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I'm going back tonight. If Wesley wants to stay and play, you can continue with him."

Riley looked up abruptly, seeing what seemed like unease in Alexa's eyes.

The same unease Riley felt in her own heart.

Almost instinctively and urgently, Riley replied. "I'm going back tonight too."

Alexa said nothing more, silently packing her luggage.

They landed in North City the following evening.

Throughout the return journey, Riley's forehead kept throbbing for some reason.

When they arrived home, Caleb was nowhere to be seen.

The housekeeper came out to greet them.

Riley handed over her coat, casually asking as if it didn't matter. "Caleb hasn't returned yet?"