Chapter 3

Caleb's birthday celebration was held at the estate, and it happened to be the day before I left.

It was one of the most important private events of the year for Blackthorn Pack. Many elders and Alpha leaders from other Packs had been invited.

Throughout the evening, Caleb stayed by Vivian's side.

She wore a white evening gown and held his arm, occasionally leaning over to whisper something in his ear.

Caleb listened with a rare smile on his face.

I sat alone in my chair, slowly sipping my juice.

Then Vivian's gaze fell on the necklace around my neck.

"Elena, your necklace is beautiful."

She reached out and lightly touched the moonstone.

"Can I take a closer look?"

The conversations around us gradually died down.

It was the necklace that symbolized the Luna's position, personally crafted by Caleb himself.

I'd never taken it off in six years.

Everyone in the Pack knew how precious it was to me.

Caleb had clearly remembered that, too.

He instinctively stepped in front of Vivian, his voice protective.

"Vivian just thinks it's pretty. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I looked at him.

In the past, whenever Vivian showed the slightest interest in something I owned, Caleb would find a way to give it to her.

And whenever I objected, he'd accuse me of being unreasonable.

This time, I didn't argue.

I unclasped the necklace and placed it in Vivian's hand.

"You can have it."

The entire room fell silent.

Caleb's expression darkened instantly.

"Elena, what did you just say?"

"You know what this necklace means to us."

Of course I did.

It was the Luna's insignia he'd personally crafted for me, the gift he'd given me when he proposed six years ago.

He'd personally visited several nearby gemstone merchants just to find the perfect moonstone.

I'd once believed it was a symbol of his one-of-a-kind devotion to me.

Unfortunately, I'd eventually realized that when it came to Vivian, he never needed my permission to give her anything.

I helped Vivian fasten the necklace around her neck.

Her neck was slimmer than mine, so the chain hung a little loose. I adjusted the clasp for her.

Throughout the entire process, I didn't even look at Caleb again.

"Well, she likes it, doesn't she? It's just a necklace. It's not a big deal."

After all, I no longer wanted Caleb.

Why should I care about a piece of jewelry?

Something in my words seemed to strike a nerve.

Caleb slammed his glass down on the table.

The sharp clink startled Vivian.

He removed the hand he'd had around her waist and strode toward me, gripping my wrist tightly.

"Elena, I thought you'd finally come to your senses."

His voice dropped low.

"I didn't expect you to resort to this kind of stunt just to get my attention."

I stared at him, confused.

Vivian liked the necklace, so I'd given it to her.

Why did Caleb still think I was throwing a tantrum?

Perhaps my confusion was too obvious.

He let out a cold laugh.

"Do you think I don't know how much you treasure it?"

"For six years, you wouldn't even take it off when you slept. And now you're suddenly giving it to Vivian?"

"Unless you've stopped loving me."

He sounded almost certain when he said those last words.

As though the possibility was simply unthinkable.

I didn't answer.

Because he was right.

I really had stopped loving him.

But he clearly took my silence as an admission.

Caleb released my wrist, his expression softening.

"All right. If Vivian likes it, let her wear it for a while."

"She can return it when she gets tired of it."

Vivian leaned back into his arms, lowering her head to admire the moonstone.

"Don't be angry, Elena. Caleb has already said so. I won't keep your necklace forever."

She looked up and gave Caleb a sweet smile.

Watching them act so affectionately as though no one else existed, I suddenly found the whole thing rather amusing.

I put down my glass and stood up.

"You don't have to return it."

Caleb looked up.

I glanced at the moonstone around Vivian's neck and calmly added,

"I don't want it anymore."

After all, I wasn't a trash bin for discarded things.