Chapter 4

On the night of the banquet, Caleb personally came to my apartment to pick me up.

He handed me a black velvet box.

"Open it."

Inside was an ice-blue designer gown.

I immediately recognized that it was far more elaborate than the attire ordinarily worn by werewolves.

He leaned down and whispered into my ear.

"In a few days, everyone will officially address you as Luna."

"Tonight, I'm going to give you an answer about our mating ceremony."

My heart stirred slightly.

Our mating ceremony had already been postponed for three whole months because of Elise.

Once, having a grand ceremony with Caleb had been my greatest dream.

Even though I was already planning to leave, his promise still made my heart beat a little faster.

But I said nothing as I looked at him in the mirror.

The banquet hall was buzzing with conversation.

With my arm linked through Caleb's, I walked toward the head of the long table.

That seat had always been considered mine, as the future Luna.

But now, someone familiar was already sitting there.

Elise wore a white gown, gripping the armrests so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale.

The moment I recognized the style of her dress, my heart sank.

She was wearing a gown designed specifically for a Luna, and it appeared to have been created by the same designer as mine.

The pressure radiating from the high-ranking Alphas made Elise tremble. Her face had gone deathly pale.

I turned to Xavier, who was standing nearby.

His eyes briefly darted away.

"Elise has never been to such a grand event before. She'll feel safer sitting next to the Alpha."

Caleb patted the back of my hand and lowered his voice.

"Elise is fragile. Let her sit beside me tonight. You can take the seat below Xavier."

I slipped my arm out of Caleb's and walked silently to the side table.

Halfway through the banquet, Caleb stood up and raised his glass.

"Under the light of tonight's moon, I have something to announce."

The entire hall fell silent.

"Regarding the mating ceremony between Chloe and me..."

Before he could finish, Elise suddenly covered her face, shoved her chair back, and rushed out of the hall.

"I don't want to hear it! Once Caleb has his mating ceremony, I'll have no home again!"

Caleb's words died in his throat.

His expression changed instantly.

Xavier jumped to his feet as well.

Without even excusing themselves to the Elders, both men rushed after her.

The hall fell into complete silence.

Every pair of eyes turned toward me.

I calmly took a sip of water.

More than ten minutes later, Caleb returned with Elise, whose eyes were red from crying.

He picked up his glass again and took a deep breath.

"I've decided to postpone the mating ceremony for now."

"Once Elise has fully adjusted to life here, we'll arrange it again."

Hearing those words, I let out a cold laugh.

"Caleb, is this the surprise you prepared for me?"

Caleb's expression darkened.

"I'm sorry, Chloe. I'll explain everything to you later."

The last trace of hope I had left finally disappeared.

As the banquet ended, the guests quickly began to leave.

Caleb walked over and took my hand.

"Elise lost control of her emotions. I was afraid she might do something reckless."

His eyes were full of remorse.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'll make it up to you with an even grander ceremony someday."

I pulled my hand out of his.

"It's fine. I understand."

I stood up.

"I'm a little tired. I need to stop by the Elders' Council to pick up some routine documents for our mating ceremony."

Caleb immediately called over a guard.

"Open the gates for Miss Chloe."

The heavy wooden doors closed behind me.

After hearing what I intended to do, the Elder tried to persuade me to stay.

But after what had happened at the banquet, he knew my mind was already made up.

He let out a deep sigh.

"Are you absolutely certain?"

I pushed a stack of documents across the desk.

"Please stamp these for me."

The red seal pressed against the paper, leaving behind a vivid Pack emblem.

I folded the approved forms and slipped them into my bag.

When I returned to the estate, I went to my old bedroom to collect the last few things I had left behind.

The moment I pushed open the door, I saw Elise sitting at my vanity.

She was wearing a white silk robe.

It was the one I'd bought to wear at home after our mating ceremony.

When she saw me, she slowly stood up.

"I was a little cold, so I just grabbed something to wear."

She ran her fingers over the fabric, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"But somehow, your things always seem to look better on me."

For the first time, she let her hostility show without bothering to hide it.

But none of that mattered anymore.

I was only there to retrieve my parents' photo album.

Caleb had promised to bring it to me personally, but he had never followed through.

I picked up the album and slipped it into my bag.

When I reached the living room, I quietly removed my engagement ring and placed it on the coffee table.

Beside it, I laid the access card Caleb had given me to his estate and the house key Xavier had once given me.

Then I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked out of the estate without looking back.

Goodbye.

This time, I wasn't coming back.