The Last Goodbye Never Came

"Where's Leo?"

I used my very last shred of strength to get through to Leo's number—but it was Linda who picked up.

"Freya, you're still waiting for him? Leo's busy. You know how it is."

The wolfsbane had already seeped into my organs. I didn't have much time.

"Put Leo on the phone."

"Oops—Leo's right in the middle of receiving everyone's blessings for me. He can't exactly step away."

The line went dead. Then Linda sent me a video call request.

On the other end was a grand celebration. Everyone was dressed formally—it looked extravagant. Leo stood at the center of the crowd, and Linda, in a pure white gown, stood right beside him.

"See this, Freya? Leo threw this whole celebration for me. All to honor my awakened special gift. He's been planning it for so long."

So this was why he didn't show up to our ceremony. This.

As if sensing my gaze, Leo turned his head slightly, his brow furrowing just a fraction.

Linda quickly stepped out of his line of sight and kept going: "Freya, a mating ceremony? That's small stuff. Plenty of time for that later. Today is my big day. Leo said nothing—absolutely nothing—is more important than this."

Then she hung up.

I couldn't speak anymore. The searing agony of the wolfsbane spread through every nerve. The screen dimmed, matching the life slowly draining out of me.

Cold.

Biting wind whipped snow pellets across my already frozen face.

Five years ago, when I first got with Leo, he was the youngest, most promising Alpha in the pack. I was the most skilled herbalist. Everyone said we were made for each other.

We thought the mating ceremony was just a formality.

But five full years—and our ceremony kept getting postponed. Over and over.

The first time, Linda accidentally fell into the water right before the ritual. The second time, she ate poisonous berries on the day of and nearly died. Third time, fourth time—all the way to the tenth. Every single time, something happened to Linda at the worst possible moment.

And every single time, Leo chose her without hesitation.

He always said: "Freya, wait a little longer. Linda's my sister. I can't just abandon her. You're the understanding one—you get it, right?"

This time, I practically begged him. "Leo, this is the last time. If you break your promise again—we're done."

He took my hand, swore it to me with that serious look. "I won't miss this ceremony. Trust me, Freya. I've prepared everything at the Moon Goddess Altar on the edge of the Forbidden Grounds. Just wait for me on the day."

I believed him.

I went to the altar and waited. Five days. Five nights.

The altar was isolated—no food, no water. Just endless fields of Silvermoon flowers stretching everywhere. Beautiful. And freezing.

On the fifth day, rogues from the Forbidden Grounds attacked me. I got infected with wolfsbane.

My body was already too weak—the poison reached my heart within hours.

My hand drifted to my lower belly. A tiny life, barely two months old. The surprise I'd planned to give Leo at the ceremony.

There's no cure for wolfsbane. And being at the edge of the Forbidden Grounds meant moving would only kill me faster.

I'd hoped my last call would reach Leo—that he'd come for me. But he wasn't the one who answered.

That call burned through what little strength I had left. My vision blurred. Darkness closing in.

I closed my eyes. A tear slipped down my cheek. The last warmth in my body faded—along with the small life inside me.

The Silvermoon flowers around the altar all withered. Their petals crumbled into gray dust, clinging to my skin.

"I'm sorry, little one."