Chapter 4

I packed my few personal belongings into my suitcase.

Originally, I had planned to spend two more days with my family before starting my new job at the Royal Werewolf Research Institute.

But now, there was no point.

I was leaving early.

The sudden ringing of my phone interrupted my thoughts.

The screen showed Damian Barlow, my mate.

Today was supposed to be the day he marked me.

I thought he had finally remembered the mate he had abandoned at the altar. I thought he was calling to give me an explanation for what had happened at the marking ceremony.

Instead, the moment I answered, his furious accusations hit me.

"Ophelia! What exactly did you do to Vivian? Why was she sent to the healer's den?"

The mature and grounded Damian had lost control twice in a single day for the same shewolf.

The first time was when he heard that Vivian had returned to the pack and abandoned our ceremony without a second thought.

The second time was now.

How ironic. He was supposed to be my mate.

"I don't know. I suppose she was poisoned."

"What do you mean, you don't know? You're just too afraid to admit that you harmed Vivian, isn't that right?"

Damian's voice was stern with rage. I could almost imagine him wanting to tear me apart.

"Ophelia, I always thought you were a kind-hearted shewolf. Just because we went to pick her up and missed your marking ceremony, you got jealous and poisoned her badly enough to send her to the healer's den! How can you be so heartless?"

I listened quietly to his accusations.

When he finally finished, I spoke.

"You're right. I'm heartless.

"It's my fault. When Vivian comes back, I'll apologize to her. Is that good enough?

"If that's all you called to say, I'm hanging up. I have important things to do."

Damian was stunned.

He clearly hadn't expected that reaction from me.

Prior to this, we had argued countless times over Vivian.

When Damian and I went on dates in Moonlight Forest, he could spend so much time messaging Vivian in Royal City that he completely forgot I was there.

When we attended pack banquets together, he couldn't remember that I was allergic to moonlight berries, yet he always remembered to bring Vivian the freshest rabbit meat.

On countless occasions, I had tearfully demanded to know who he truly considered his mate.

Every time, he would answer with righteous indignation.

"Are you insane? You're actually jealous of your own twin sister, Vivian? When I look at her, it's like looking at a frailer version of you. I only take care of her for your sake!"

His self-righteous excuses made me look like a paranoid, petty woman consumed by jealousy.

My parents and Harlow always took his side. They criticized me for being the older sister yet having no tolerance for my younger sibling.

The truth was that during the year Vivian had spent studying in Royal City, I had secretly rejoiced.

I thought that if she wasn't around, perhaps my parents, Harlow, and Damian would finally see me for who I was.

I was so desperate for love that I forgot a simple truth. Pretending to be someone I wasn't would only end up hurting me.

"Ophelia, I hope you know what you did wrong!

"If anything else happens to Vivian, then forget about our marking ceremony. It won't ever happen in this lifetime!"

Damian was threatening me.

I heard a car door slam on the other end of the call. After hearing some footsteps, it became noisy around him.

I knew he had probably gone to the healer's den. He was anxious to visit my dear sister.

Damian used the excuse of being my mate while showering Vivian with attention and care. Did he really think I was dumb?

I smiled sarcastically before hanging up. I then contacted the research institute.

By evening, the sky had gradually turned dark.

I had just dragged my suitcase outside and was ready to head to the airport when familiar voices drifted in from beyond the door.

My parents and Harlow were back.

I quickly slipped behind a tree.

I didn't want to run into them and create any unnecessary complications.

Mom's voice reached me.

"If Damian's family hadn't fallen on hard times, he wouldn't be such a bad choice for Vivian.

"Just look at how attentive he was while taking care of her today."

I clenched the hem of my clothes.

Dad sounded regretful.

"Yes. That boy is talented, tall, and handsome. When Vivian looked at him from her sickbed, there was affection in her eyes too.

"If we'd known they were attracted to each other, we shouldn't have gone to all that trouble to match Damian with Ophelia."

"Enough. There's no point talking about that now." Mom changed the subject. "No matter how good Damian is, he's still just a poor boy. I won't let Vivian suffer by marrying him. Vivian deserves a mate from a superior bloodline.

"Once Damian and Ophelia hold their marking ceremony, he'll become one of the family. He can still protect Vivian."

So that was it.

To them, Damian was just a loyal hound keeping Vivian safe, and I was nothing but the leash they used to keep him there.

My heart felt cold. Yet I wasn't surprised by their cruelty.

It didn't matter. It was time for me to go.

I was leaving this place and the people here who had caused me so much pain.

I walked further away and gradually disappeared into the darkness of the night.