Chapter 3

At 3:00 pm, the lock on the front door clicked and turned.

I was crouching on the living room floor, taping down the last cardboard box.

As Liam bent down to change his shoes, his gaze drifted across the living room, and he froze. "What are you doing?"

He strode over with a frown.

I snapped the tape and sealed the box in front of me. "Just clearing out some old things that aren't worth keeping."

Liam's gaze landed on an open box nearby.

Inside lay two crude wooden werewolf figurines—pieces Liam and I had carved together with our own hands.

His expression darkened. "These?"

He reached down, picked up the figurines, and held them in his palm. "These aren't worth keeping either?"

Liam slammed the carvings down onto the coffee table with a loud clatter. "Freya, are you ever going to drop this? All this drama over a stupid necklace. No wonder Mom can't stand your attitude! Since you're throwing all this out, are you leaving too?"

I straightened my back and replied flatly, "Yes."

Liam stared at me in shock, as if he hadn't heard me right. Then, his lips twitched into a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "Right. Look at you, acting all tough."

He sank into the couch, crossed his legs, and looked up at me. "Where exactly are you planning to go? Your best friend Vivian's place? Or back to that pathetic pack of yours that's nothing but the old and infirm?"

His fingers tapped twice on the armrest. "Freya, do you still think you're a little girl? Playing the run-away-from-home game with me? Don't even think about it. I'm not going to beg you to come back."

He was stubbornly convinced I couldn't survive without him. He was sure this whole spectacle was just my way of forcing him to yield and sweet-talk me back.

I didn't argue. I simply picked up the wooden werewolf figurines, placed them back in the box, and taped it shut.

"Think whatever you want."

Liam's expression faltered, though he quickly forced down the annoyance in his eyes.

He stood up, walked over to me, and suddenly softened his tone. "Freya, stop acting up, okay?

"Tomorrow is our fifth anniversary. I booked a table at that oceanview restaurant you love so much. Didn't you always want a moonstone necklace? After dinner, I'll take you to pick one that's bigger and way more expensive."

He leaned down, resting his chin lightly on top of my head. His voice dropped to a gentle murmur as he said, "As for your ceremonial dress, we'll go straight to the shop after buying the necklace. I've already spoken to the staff. Is that good enough?"

I took two steps back, taking in his cool, self-assured expression.

Right. He had gone to all this trouble, arranging everything. Wasn't I supposed to be thrilled?

I looked at him and smiled. "Sure. See you tomorrow."

Liam let out a sigh of relief and reached out to ruffle my hair as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "That's my good girl."

He had no idea that inside my suitcase lay a train ticket to Nordravia for tomorrow.

…

Early the next morning, Liam left for the pack council hall.

Before leaving, he stood by my bedside for a moment, his eyes filled with tender affection. "I'll pick you up at 6:00 pm tonight. Wear that white dress and pair it with the crystal hairpiece I got you. You look beautiful in it."

The dress was identical to Lilith's, and so was the hairpiece.

I changed into a simple gray shirt, pushed the three sealed cardboard boxes out the door, and called the building cleaner to take them to the recycling area.

"These look practically brand new. Are you sure you don't want them?" the cleaner asked in surprise.

"I'm sure," I said. "Dispose of them however you like."

After hanging up, I looked around the room.

I had once filled this place with life, personally picking out every piece of furniture. Every single item held memories of Liam and me.

Now, his things were still here, but every trace of my presence had been wiped clean by my own hands.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was a text from Liam.

"Honey, I'm so sorry, but we might have to cancel tonight. Lilith ate something bad and is in so much pain she can't even walk. I have to take her to the ER. Don't worry. We'll go look at the necklace and ceremonial dress in a few days, okay?"

As I looked at the words on the screen, a calmness washed over me. After all, I couldn't be disappointed when I expected nothing.