Chapter 8

Evelyn's POV:

I had completed all of the documentation needed on hand. Finally, I could leave today. So, I began packing up my things.

While in the middle of packing, Callum's guard, Brutus Fay, delivered a custom-made dress and an intricate necklace to me, inviting me to the Moonlight Ball tonight.

I found it ironic as I stared at the dress and necklace in Brutus' hands.

Callum and I had already broken our mating oath to the Sovereign Moon and ended our relationship, but Callum still had no idea and wanted me to attend the ball as his partner.

I wanted to reject the invitation at first. However, it was the Moonlight Festival tonight, a very important observation among the pack.

Callum was an Alpha who had to host the ball with his mate. I didn't want him to feel humiliated if I were to be absent. However, this would also mark the final time I would ever appear in public under this identity.

I stood before the mirror, touching the necklace Callum sent. The necklace was made up of many tiny diamonds in clusters and looked stunning on me. I quickly went to put on some makeup before the ball.

The venue was abuzz with werewolves. Bright, dazzling lights shone in every corner, casting a brilliant glow over everyone in the hall. Glasses clinked as pleasantries were exchanged, the smell of champagne and wine hanging in the air.

Right in the center of the crown stood Iris and a group of other elites.

The bright emerald green necklace shining brilliantly on her neck was very noticeable and attracted attention wherever it went.

"Iris, Callum is treating you so well. The necklace is so beautiful!"

"That's right! I heard that this is the only necklace of its kind in the world. I saw on the news that some mysterious billionaire had won it at an auction. I never thought that it was Callum!"

"It's been so many years, and yet, Callum still hasn't forgotten you. I remember that he used to always hunt and cook for you. Once, when you both quarreled and you gave him the cold shoulder for days, he got so antsy that he came around to us begging for ways to win you back.

"He even came looking for me once! Ah, you should have seen him back then, his eyes all red and desperate. You just ignored him for a few days, and it nearly took his life away!"

"Iris, I think no one else will ever love you as much as Callum ever will. When he learned that you mated with someone else, he almost gave up on living! But now that you're divorced, I'm sure that he won't want that lowly wife of his by his side anymore. You should both just get together now."

"Exactly! You should get together. You belong together!"

…

I stood in the corner as I listened to the group reminiscing about how good my mate was to another werewolf.

"Evelyn."

It was Kiera. She called out to me with a smile as she came up to me.

Honestly speaking, the only person I would ever miss in this pack was her, and that was it.

"Evelyn, I've already made all the necessary arrangements for you once you've left to go abroad. Your enrollment is a little early, so I've also bought you the flight ticket there. The plane leaves in about three hours. Is there anything else you need from me?"

I looked at the documents in my hand and felt my heart grow heavy. My hands shook as I imagined the freedom in my new life that was waiting for me.

Still, I suppressed my emotions and tucked the documents away safely.

"Thank you, Mrs. Wolffang, for everything you've done for me. I'm beyond grateful. I just have a small request. If Callum learns about this next time and asks about my whereabouts, please tell him that you don't know."

I no longer wanted to see Callum again for the rest of my life.

When Kiera heard this, she was quite shocked. "You didn't tell him that you were leaving?"

What was I supposed to tell him? That I had purposely gotten close to him, not because I loved him, but because I was taking orders from his mother as a favor to repay her for her kindness to me? That I had done all of this to help him forget Iris and help him get back on his feet again?

Or, was I supposed to tell him that I was divorcing him, going abroad, and never coming back?

Would Callum even have cared? He hadn't blinked an eye when he signed the divorce agreement I gave him.

His first love had come back, and that was all that mattered. He probably wouldn't even notice if I left him.

I smiled at Kiera and said, "There's no need for that. I just want to leave as soon as possible. I don't want any other hiccups to happen."

"Who's leaving where?"

Callum suddenly emerged from behind me. I didn't know if he'd managed to overhear our conversation or not.

Luckily, Kiera hurriedly changed the topic and said, "Nothing. What are you doing here?"

"It's time to go onstage," Callum said, looking at me coldly. "You are my mate. You have to host the ceremony with me. Have you already forgotten your duties?"

Kiera just rubbed her temples and said, "Oh, yes, I forgot about that. Evelyn, hurry up and go onstage with him. Everyone's waiting for you."

The rest of the ceremony went on without a glitch. Callum stood onstage as he gave his speech, sounding powerful and authoritative. Meanwhile, Iris stood right next to him, while I was squeezed into a corner.

After the ceremony, the whole hall erupted into applause. I had finished my duties on stage, so I turned to leave.

"Where are you going? Have you also forgotten that you're supposed to give out the supplies to them with me for the Moonlight Festival? Do you even know your duties as my mate?" Callum roared.

I shook my head and lifted my injured arm.

"No, thanks. My wounds are still recovering. You can get Iris to help you instead.

A hint of suspicion appeared in Callum's eyes. He couldn't seem to fathom what I said.

"Why would I want to get her to help me instead?"

I suspected that Callum must be having some form of amnesia. Why else would I tell him to find her? Wasn't he the one who always abandoned me for her anyway?

He had secretly done so much for Iris in the past five years. Now, I was just giving him the chance to be out in the open with her. Why was he now looking at me in disbelief?

I just smiled and said, "Because you're both very close. It's just handing out supplies, anyway. It's nothing much."

Callum saw that I was still smiling and didn't look angry, so he didn't say another word as he went over to Iris and whispered something in her ear.

Iris blushed and nodded bashfully, holding his arm as she went back onstage with him to give out the supplies.

A romantic melody began to play as they ascended the stage. They looked like they were the ones who belonged together as mates, not me.

Before I could even leave, I suddenly heard Callum's friends cheer loudly and yell, "Kiss that girl! Kiss that girl! Kiss that girl!"

I turned back to look. Callum looked very happy when everyone pushed him toward Iris. They looked like they were about to kiss.

My wolf let out a loud, angry howl, wanting to tear out and claw Iris' face into shreds.