Chapter 4

There was still Xavier’s things left to return.

In the afternoon Xavier went out. His tablet was casually left on the sofa.

When the screen lit up, I happened to pass by.

A group message popped up.

The group name was “Lydia and Her Three Knights.”

I hadn’t planned to look.

Until my name appeared on the screen.

【Lucas: What’s been going on with Cecilia these past two days? She’s talking less?】

【Victor: Probably throwing a tantrum again. Leave her alone for a couple of days and she’ll be fine.】

【Xavier: Ignore her. She’s always had a sense of proportion. She won’t really do anything to herself.】

Right after that, Lydia sent a message.

【Lydia: Is it because I took her room? Why don’t I just move to the storage room…】

【Xavier: Don’t talk nonsense. Your health is poor. How can you live in a place like that?】

【Lucas: Exactly. We finally found you and brought you back. Of course we have to let you live comfortably.】

【Victor: Later we’ll take you to the amusement park. You can play whatever you want.】

Lydia sent a happy emoji.

【Lydia: What about Cecilia? Should we invite her too?】

This time the group was silent for a few seconds.

Then Xavier replied.

【She’s never liked those things since she was little. Just the three of us taking you is enough.】

I stared at that line and suddenly remembered last year’s birthday.

That day I had told Xavier a week in advance that I wanted to go to the amusement park with him once.

He said training was busy and he would accompany me when he had time.

Later I found out that he, Lucas, and Victor had taken Lydia to the amusement park and hadn’t brought me.

He hadn’t even given me an explanation.

And now, just because Lydia wanted to go, he had actively arranged everything.

I was about to put the phone down when a new message popped up on the screen.

【Lucas: Speaking of which, Cecilia has a marriage contract with you. Are you really planning to keep putting her off like this?】

Xavier replied after a long time.

【The marriage contract isn’t going anywhere. Once Lydia has adapted to the pack, we’ll talk about Cecilia and me.】

My fingers stopped on the screen.

I had once thought Xavier was just not good at expressing feelings.

He would remember which medicine I liked when I was injured, would remind me to check the windows before a blizzard came, and would wait for me to go home together after every training session.

I had always taken these as love, until this moment, when I finally understood.

It wasn’t that he didn’t care about me.

He just believed I would always stay in place.

So he could repeatedly put me behind others.

Because he was certain that no matter whom he chose, I wouldn’t leave.

“What are you looking at?”

Xavier’s voice suddenly came from behind me.

I put down the tablet.

“Nothing.”

The messages on the tablet and phone were synced.

He walked over while drying his hair, picked up the tablet, glanced at it, and then frowned.

“You saw the group messages?”

He seemed to want to explain, but in the end only said, “Lydia just came back. We’re taking a little more care of her. What’s the problem?”

I didn’t answer. I took a ring out of my pocket and placed it on the table.

It was the one he had given me when he became the Alpha heir at fourteen.

He had said that when we came of age, he would personally put the wedding ring on me and make me his Luna.

All these years I had always kept it close.

When Xavier saw the ring, his expression changed abruptly.

“Cecilia, what do you mean?”

“I’m returning it to you.”

He grabbed my wrist.

“Just because I took Lydia to the amusement park? Are you that serious?”

I pulled my hand back. I didn’t even have the energy to explain.

In a few more hours I would leave.

Yet he still thought I was just throwing a tantrum.

“Cecilia, look at me.”

Xavier blocked me, his voice sinking.

“What exactly do you want me to do? Lydia’s health is poor. I can’t just ignore her. Can you be a little more understanding?”

I went around him, returned to the storage room, and picked up my suitcase.

Just then Lucas and Victor walked in from outside.

Lydia followed behind them, holding amusement park tickets.

“Xavier, when are we leaving?”

Xavier looked at me, then at Lydia.

He only hesitated for an instant before picking up his jacket.

“We’re leaving now.”

Before going out, he looked back at me.

“When I come back, we’ll talk. I'll bring you a gift this time.”

I didn't answer.

The moment the door closed, I pulled out my suitcase and gave the storage room one last check.

I hadn't left anything behind.

And I had no reason to stay.

I called a car and headed for the border of BloodMoon territory.

As the car pulled away from the apartment, a message from Xavier popped up on my phone.

[Lydia hasn't been doing well lately, so I need to spend more time with her. Just wait a little longer for me, my future Luna.]

I glanced at it, then opened my contacts.

Xavier. Lucas. Victor.

One by one, I deleted their numbers.

The moment the wheels crossed the border line, a sharp pain suddenly shot through my chest.

I bent over hard, gripping the seatbelt tightly.

The three mental bonds began breaking one by one.

The wolf inside me howled in pain, as if something was being torn open from the depths of my soul.

My fingertips went numb from the pain. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, yet I never told the driver to stop.

I never looked back.

Just as the last bond was about to break, Xavier’s voice suddenly burst into my mind.

“Cecilia! What are you doing? Why can’t I sense you anymore?”