Chapter 2

After leaving the hospital, I went straight to the Pack Administrative Office.

Six days earlier, I'd told Caleb I needed to organize some family affairs and coaxed him into signing the agreement to dissolve our mate bond.

He hadn't even bothered to read the entire document before signing his name on the last page.

After all, as far as he was concerned, I was just throwing another tantrum to get his attention.

The senior advisor handling my application looked through my documents. His gaze lingered on Caleb's name for a few seconds.

"Elena Winslow, are you certain you want to relinquish your position as Luna of the Pack?"

"Yes."

"And you've also submitted an application to transfer out of Blackthorn Pack. Your receiving organization is the Northern SilverMoon Alliance?"

"That's right."

He looked up, visibly surprised.

"Does Alpha Caleb know about such a major decision?"

I handed him the pen.

"This is my personal decision. I don't need his approval."

The advisor didn't ask any further questions. He stamped the documents.

"The process should be completed in seven days. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors."

I took the paperwork.

I would be happy.

As I walked out of the administrative office, a new email arrived.

The Northern SilverMoon Alliance Research Center had sent another confirmation of my employment offer.

It was a position I'd been hoping to secure for three years.

Back then, I'd placed two employment contracts in front of Caleb and asked for his opinion.

One was from the Northern SilverMoon Alliance. The other was from a potion research institute in a neighboring Pack.

I'd thought he'd at least take the time to consider them, or ask which position I preferred.

But he'd merely glanced at the contracts before pushing them back toward me.

"This is your career, Elena. You should make your own decisions instead of asking me about everything."

I'd been hurt at the time.

After all, Caleb was my fated mate and the person closest to me.

I just wanted him to show a little interest in my future.

In the end, I turned down both offers and stayed in Blackthorn Pack, continuing to help him manage its internal affairs.

It wasn't until Vivian returned from studying abroad that I realized Caleb wasn't actually reluctant to get involved in other people's decisions.

He simply didn't think my affairs were worth his time.

During her first month back, Vivian decided to renovate her estate.

She brought her design plans to Caleb and asked him which style she should choose.

He canceled his meetings for the day and spent hours accompanying her as they went through the renovation proposals.

Later, she wanted to compete for the position of head of the Pack's potion research department.

Caleb personally arranged a mentor for her and even asked the council elders to reserve a position for her in advance.

When she mentioned that she disliked attending formal banquets, Caleb even went out of his way to change the Pack's banquet arrangements.

I'd once asked him why he was always so eager to get involved in Vivian's affairs.

Back then, I hadn't yet learned to stay silent.

"Caleb, didn't you say everyone should be responsible for their own choices?"

Caleb frowned.

"Vivian just got back. She's unfamiliar with how things work in the Pack. I'm only helping her settle in."

My eyes turned red.

"But I needed your help back then, too."

He looked at me impatiently.

"Elena, can you be a little more mature? Stop comparing yourself to her all the time."

After that, I stopped asking.

My phone suddenly vibrated.

It was another email from the Northern Silver Moon Alliance Research Center.

【Dear Ms. Winslow, your onboarding arrangements have been finalized. Please arrive at the research center by the twentieth of this month to begin your position.】

I opened my calendar.

seven days.

That's all the time I had left before leaving.

As for Caleb, I didn't send him another message.

When I returned to the estate that evening, I heard Vivian laughing in the living room.

She was sitting beside Caleb, holding a copy of the birthday banquet proposal.

"Caleb, are you really sure I can organize this year's birthday celebration? I'm afraid I won't do a good job."

"What's there to worry about?"

Caleb took the document and patiently walked her through every detail.

"The venue, guest list, and banquet schedule. I'll have my people assist you with everything. All you need to do is follow your own ideas."

As I walked past them, Caleb finally looked up.

"Elena, you're back?"

"Mm."

"Perfect timing. Come take a look. Vivian wants to organize my birthday celebration this year. I think we should give her a chance."

In the past, I'd always been the one responsible for his birthday celebration.

From the venue decorations and guest list to the banquet menu, I'd personally arranged every detail.

Caleb disliked overly elaborate celebrations and didn't like strangers getting too close to him. I remembered all his preferences and started preparing months in advance.

Last year, I'd even stayed up for several nights in a row to prepare a special birthday gift for him.

But now, he'd handed the entire responsibility to Vivian without even asking me.

Vivian looked at me apologetically.

"Elena, you don't mind, do you? If you still want to organize it, I can give the proposal back to you."

"No need."

I placed the documents on the table.

"You can have it if you want."

Caleb visibly froze.

He probably hadn't expected me to agree without putting up a fight.

Vivian, however, smiled happily.

"Thank you, Elena!"

I didn't respond. I simply turned and headed upstairs.